Many wide ranging thoughts here which is actually its own answer. Technology makes the diversity of human response more visible to each of us. it gives everyone a voice louder than when the Internet was not present. It has always been messy and will continue to be so but that is democracy only more visible. I like to think that people like Oliver Anthony will emerge who define us better than the elites who constantly try to dominate the discussion. Anthony demonstrates how articulate and perceptive those who many assume someone with his background cannot possibly be. He relates to many of us at many levels. Truly elegant expression. Technology amplifies all expression but it is the content of that expression that finds a position surpassing all if it rings true.
We have to accept the amplification of nonsense by technology if we want voices like Anthony's to dominate the nonsense.
I've learned for myself that reading something, rather than listening, makes me pause and think or re-read a line for better comprehension. I've been blessed with a good memory. Not everyone has that kind of memory, but can look things up on the internet. The problem becomes that when you don't remember and you read something new it's much harder to connect the dots, make comparisons or have critical thought. With technology I think this has become common for most people, they don't even try to remember. I and my husband spend a tremendous amount of time trying to figure out what in the heck is going on in this crazy world. We are trying to take breaks from it though, he's set up laser burning equipment and becoming a "maker". I'm helping a bit with design. However, we now live in this fabulous growing climate and I'm making a connection with the land and planting fruit trees and learning through fabulous resources at the local extension office. The bonus is we'll get to supplement our food supply. Very sound advice Lily!
Yes, "life" is moving at a pace that we are unable to mentally comprehend. Slowing down is necessary but discouraged in younger generations.
I do two things to feel "right", lift weights and grow food. When I'm in my gardens there are no shoes or gloves. It sounds like hippy talk but working in bare feet and bare hands I think you develop a deeper connection to the Earth, to what you're doing. I find it liberating. And watching the tiny seed you planted grow up to be this giant vine or plant that is feeding you in just amazing.
While I use technology I ultimately think it's bad, we'd be much better off with no internet. I'm patiently waiting for the REAL great reset, the one that our star will bring to pass. I believe it's coming, it's just a matter of time.
“In the world I see you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockafeller Center. You’ll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You’ll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you’ll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty car pool lane of some abandoned superhighway.”
I have a different perspective on this. I have been gaming for about 35 years, I find it a cheap hobby that offers a lot of entertainment, and depending on the game, you can also hone some skills and perfect some knowledge. I also have been learning about politics, economics and history for about the same length of time. I read a lot, whether it is books, articles or newsletters on a broad variety of subjects. It's all about balancing all these different interests among themselves and with "real life", ie work, family and friends.
But at the same time, I agree with some of the conclusions in this piece. One problem we are definitely facing nowadays is that most people have lost the ability to actually read or write, and think for themselves. So many people will use their social media to stay informed -- by quickly scanning the headlines in their activity feeds. Never bothering to actually read the article, and also not trying to mix their news sources to get different point of views. No surprise these people are seen as "NPCs" (Non-player characters - who are computer-scripted and controlled characters), which are only able to repeat the surface messages and narratives that they heard on TV or seen on their feeds, without any capacity to expand on those ideas, let alone debate them.
Turn off the TV, the computer, the smartphone.
Read a book, go to a house of worship, go to a museum.
Many wide ranging thoughts here which is actually its own answer. Technology makes the diversity of human response more visible to each of us. it gives everyone a voice louder than when the Internet was not present. It has always been messy and will continue to be so but that is democracy only more visible. I like to think that people like Oliver Anthony will emerge who define us better than the elites who constantly try to dominate the discussion. Anthony demonstrates how articulate and perceptive those who many assume someone with his background cannot possibly be. He relates to many of us at many levels. Truly elegant expression. Technology amplifies all expression but it is the content of that expression that finds a position surpassing all if it rings true.
We have to accept the amplification of nonsense by technology if we want voices like Anthony's to dominate the nonsense.
I've learned for myself that reading something, rather than listening, makes me pause and think or re-read a line for better comprehension. I've been blessed with a good memory. Not everyone has that kind of memory, but can look things up on the internet. The problem becomes that when you don't remember and you read something new it's much harder to connect the dots, make comparisons or have critical thought. With technology I think this has become common for most people, they don't even try to remember. I and my husband spend a tremendous amount of time trying to figure out what in the heck is going on in this crazy world. We are trying to take breaks from it though, he's set up laser burning equipment and becoming a "maker". I'm helping a bit with design. However, we now live in this fabulous growing climate and I'm making a connection with the land and planting fruit trees and learning through fabulous resources at the local extension office. The bonus is we'll get to supplement our food supply. Very sound advice Lily!
Yes, "life" is moving at a pace that we are unable to mentally comprehend. Slowing down is necessary but discouraged in younger generations.
I do two things to feel "right", lift weights and grow food. When I'm in my gardens there are no shoes or gloves. It sounds like hippy talk but working in bare feet and bare hands I think you develop a deeper connection to the Earth, to what you're doing. I find it liberating. And watching the tiny seed you planted grow up to be this giant vine or plant that is feeding you in just amazing.
While I use technology I ultimately think it's bad, we'd be much better off with no internet. I'm patiently waiting for the REAL great reset, the one that our star will bring to pass. I believe it's coming, it's just a matter of time.
“In the world I see you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockafeller Center. You’ll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You’ll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you’ll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty car pool lane of some abandoned superhighway.”
I'm quite looking forward to that world.
damn, no longer on twitter? ty for sharing all this, will miss you on the feed
I have a different perspective on this. I have been gaming for about 35 years, I find it a cheap hobby that offers a lot of entertainment, and depending on the game, you can also hone some skills and perfect some knowledge. I also have been learning about politics, economics and history for about the same length of time. I read a lot, whether it is books, articles or newsletters on a broad variety of subjects. It's all about balancing all these different interests among themselves and with "real life", ie work, family and friends.
But at the same time, I agree with some of the conclusions in this piece. One problem we are definitely facing nowadays is that most people have lost the ability to actually read or write, and think for themselves. So many people will use their social media to stay informed -- by quickly scanning the headlines in their activity feeds. Never bothering to actually read the article, and also not trying to mix their news sources to get different point of views. No surprise these people are seen as "NPCs" (Non-player characters - who are computer-scripted and controlled characters), which are only able to repeat the surface messages and narratives that they heard on TV or seen on their feeds, without any capacity to expand on those ideas, let alone debate them.