The author used the internet to write this essay, and I and all other readers used the internet to read it. I see the writing and the reading, and the commenting, as distinctly human activities, without any disintermediation from The Machine.
I agree the choice is up to each one of us as to what extent we allow our lives to be penetrated/…
The author used the internet to write this essay, and I and all other readers used the internet to read it. I see the writing and the reading, and the commenting, as distinctly human activities, without any disintermediation from The Machine.
I agree the choice is up to each one of us as to what extent we allow our lives to be penetrated/dominated by The Machine, but there is a big difference between using the internet to read provocative and interesting essays and being on some site like Instagram.
There's also a choice to be made, whether one lives in rural Ireland or Manhattan, as to how to organize our lives to continue making being with other people in real life a priority.
I think very few people are intentional about how they live their lives, but most think they are.
I was once in a pattern of compulsively checking Facebook to the point that I would have it open in one tab, open a new one, and immediately go to Facebook.
The thing about your instincts being controlled is, you don't usually know it or have control. Hence why alcoholism survives the ages while we all have no illusions of its destructive nature.
I'm not concerned about this author, I'm concerned about billions of kids who will grow up immersed in the internet neural network, having no idea they serve the body of a greater being, much like the bacteria in our bodies.
In my comment, I was thinking of myself, rather than others. So your concern can only be addressed by education at home and at school as to how to be aware of the threat.
Perhaps there will be rehab facilities for harmful internet addiction. Maybe there already are!
Your comment reminds me as well of David Foster Wallace's famous commencement speech, "This Is Water." When something is so ubiquitous, we become unaware of it.
It’s very hard on the former type of families. My 12 year old daughter is suffering because her best friends got “swallowed” by TikTok et al. She is alienated and weirdo, cuz she doesn’t want to join the online party. And she feels very lonely..
The author used the internet to write this essay, and I and all other readers used the internet to read it. I see the writing and the reading, and the commenting, as distinctly human activities, without any disintermediation from The Machine.
I agree the choice is up to each one of us as to what extent we allow our lives to be penetrated/dominated by The Machine, but there is a big difference between using the internet to read provocative and interesting essays and being on some site like Instagram.
There's also a choice to be made, whether one lives in rural Ireland or Manhattan, as to how to organize our lives to continue making being with other people in real life a priority.
I still hold out great hope for human agency.
I think very few people are intentional about how they live their lives, but most think they are.
I was once in a pattern of compulsively checking Facebook to the point that I would have it open in one tab, open a new one, and immediately go to Facebook.
The thing about your instincts being controlled is, you don't usually know it or have control. Hence why alcoholism survives the ages while we all have no illusions of its destructive nature.
I'm not concerned about this author, I'm concerned about billions of kids who will grow up immersed in the internet neural network, having no idea they serve the body of a greater being, much like the bacteria in our bodies.
Fair comment.
In my comment, I was thinking of myself, rather than others. So your concern can only be addressed by education at home and at school as to how to be aware of the threat.
Perhaps there will be rehab facilities for harmful internet addiction. Maybe there already are!
Your comment reminds me as well of David Foster Wallace's famous commencement speech, "This Is Water." When something is so ubiquitous, we become unaware of it.
Imagine the divide between children raised with parents aware of these things, and the children whose parents don't know or don't care.
Imagine the divide between us and countries that have hardly any education to begin with!
It’s very hard on the former type of families. My 12 year old daughter is suffering because her best friends got “swallowed” by TikTok et al. She is alienated and weirdo, cuz she doesn’t want to join the online party. And she feels very lonely..
Steve Jobs didn't allow his kids to immerse in computers. Mark Zuckerberg doesn't allow his kids either.
And China has different rules for their kids on TickTok. They know what the are doing and creating.
Ticktok is a garbage dump. So many people love it. It is frightening.