The social media have served to silo information, foment extremism and poison the political climate. I stay away from social media and have greatly reduced my use of digital technologies overall.
Many thanks, Hershel. One would hope that affirming humanism would lead an adherent to a flexible, fluid, open view to the ideas that are held. But alas, there is often a disconnect between professed values and the personality that underlies them.
Joe, if I may use your given name as if we have met, I am 79 and I share most of your views. I first read a book review from you which was printed in The NY Times. Since then, I have looked forward to reading you on a regular basis. Regarding humanism, I have learned much from you. I see in you many of the same views and principles I embrace, and am not sure from whence they came. You speak of its being without dogma, but from experience I can tell you many adherents, probably less enlightened than you, are evangelical to a degree that would put a Southern Baptist to shame.
When I retired, I too decided to simplify. That permitted me to undertake stuff I would enjoy rather than tasks I had to do. You are fortunate in finding a second love and companion. I am not a twitter person or a Tick Tocker because I believe they are hollow wastes of time. And I do agree with you that they lead too much to isolation. I do enjoy FB and some substack - but not a slave to either. As you know, I so enjoy reading your thoughtful postings.
Many thanks, Marvin. I am most grateful for your continuing interest. As you imply, choice and moderation are best employed when engaging the new media that bombard us with their demands.
As I sit here this evening, reading and agreeing with most of your thesis, I can't help but note, with irony, that I am doing so on a handheld screen...
Yes, I believe it is complicated and we are confronted with contradictions. For me, as noted, the governing dynamic is choice. I find that we are surrounded by ("bombarded" would be a more apt term) by digital technologies, enticing their use. Just as we can choose what to put in our mouths, balancing the pleasures of food with the desire to safeguard our health, so we can choose to what extent we employ the said technologies. I wouldn't argue for perfection or total abstinence. But I have made a commitment that less use is better than more. I love to write, but I am a poor typist, prone to generate lots of typos. There may be romance in using a mechanical typewriter, but I personally found the development of word processing a God-send. Hence, the employment of Substack. As noted, I use digital technologies when I feel I must, but I have chosen restraint and shy away from enchantment with them and certainly addiction.
Joe, I’m with you on smartphones and screens. I do read book samples to get the gist of a new book or one I had not stumbled upon before. Still, I prefer people and conversation to electronic substitutes
I’m reminded of growing up and going out after school to play. The was no such thing as play dates or scheduled time. Just free time to freelance and it did me good. Most often I knew that even then. So, electronic stimulation and unstructured time is something I can affirm even as I watch it vanish into a silent past.
Thanks for sharing. The spirit of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer suit me just fine.
Haidt in his book describes at length "play-based" childhood, contrasted favorably with "phone-based" childhood, and how the latter impedes development and has led to a raft of ills from anxiety and depression to loneliness, anomie, and, most tragically, an increase in teen suicide. How I recall with warmth my childhood when, with homework done, I could freely roam the neighborhood with friends. Those days are gone with children constantly monitored enforcing a parental commitment to "safetyism.
Many thanks, Hershel. One would hope that affirming humanism would lead an adherent to a flexible, fluid, open view to the ideas that are held. But alas, there is often a disconnect between professed values and the personality that underlies them.
Joe, if I may use your given name as if we have met, I am 79 and I share most of your views. I first read a book review from you which was printed in The NY Times. Since then, I have looked forward to reading you on a regular basis. Regarding humanism, I have learned much from you. I see in you many of the same views and principles I embrace, and am not sure from whence they came. You speak of its being without dogma, but from experience I can tell you many adherents, probably less enlightened than you, are evangelical to a degree that would put a Southern Baptist to shame.
Be safe and enjoy life.
Being 83 I entirely agree with you on simplification
Interesting and worthy critique of social media.
Many thanks, Jean. I very much appreciate your ongoing interest in my contributions.
When I retired, I too decided to simplify. That permitted me to undertake stuff I would enjoy rather than tasks I had to do. You are fortunate in finding a second love and companion. I am not a twitter person or a Tick Tocker because I believe they are hollow wastes of time. And I do agree with you that they lead too much to isolation. I do enjoy FB and some substack - but not a slave to either. As you know, I so enjoy reading your thoughtful postings.
Many thanks, Marvin. I am most grateful for your continuing interest. As you imply, choice and moderation are best employed when engaging the new media that bombard us with their demands.
As I sit here this evening, reading and agreeing with most of your thesis, I can't help but note, with irony, that I am doing so on a handheld screen...
It is, indeed, a complicated world!
Yes, I believe it is complicated and we are confronted with contradictions. For me, as noted, the governing dynamic is choice. I find that we are surrounded by ("bombarded" would be a more apt term) by digital technologies, enticing their use. Just as we can choose what to put in our mouths, balancing the pleasures of food with the desire to safeguard our health, so we can choose to what extent we employ the said technologies. I wouldn't argue for perfection or total abstinence. But I have made a commitment that less use is better than more. I love to write, but I am a poor typist, prone to generate lots of typos. There may be romance in using a mechanical typewriter, but I personally found the development of word processing a God-send. Hence, the employment of Substack. As noted, I use digital technologies when I feel I must, but I have chosen restraint and shy away from enchantment with them and certainly addiction.
Joe, I’m with you on smartphones and screens. I do read book samples to get the gist of a new book or one I had not stumbled upon before. Still, I prefer people and conversation to electronic substitutes
I’m reminded of growing up and going out after school to play. The was no such thing as play dates or scheduled time. Just free time to freelance and it did me good. Most often I knew that even then. So, electronic stimulation and unstructured time is something I can affirm even as I watch it vanish into a silent past.
Thanks for sharing. The spirit of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer suit me just fine.
Haidt in his book describes at length "play-based" childhood, contrasted favorably with "phone-based" childhood, and how the latter impedes development and has led to a raft of ills from anxiety and depression to loneliness, anomie, and, most tragically, an increase in teen suicide. How I recall with warmth my childhood when, with homework done, I could freely roam the neighborhood with friends. Those days are gone with children constantly monitored enforcing a parental commitment to "safetyism.