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I Used to Be a Human Being

nymag.com

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Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#101

Post by rublev »

ryandrake wrote: post #41

Did this really need a 7000+ word essay? If you don't like Facebook, don't use it. If you're concerned about "distraction overload" then remove things from your life you find distracting. Nobody is putting a gun to your head and forcing you to use smartphone apps and 10 different text messaging systems. If you want to live as a technology-free hermit, go right ahead. But don't try to argue that I should live like you…

Yes. This article put my heart in my throat. I've grown up on the web and have for a long time only used it for work and try my hardest to steer clear of current events / the information high way. But it's depressing. All of your friends interactions are abstracted through social media which I now don't have access to. You become invisible.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#102

Post by toddsiegel »

jonstokes wrote: post #79

The number one thing I've found to be effective in combatting this is sleep. I have to get 8 hours of uninterrupted, unmedicated sleep. 9 hours is even better. And I have to do it for a few nights in a row. If I do anything at all that interferes with the quality of my sleep, I'm screwed, and The Stream will suck me in. Conversely, things that increase the quality of my sleep -- exercise, diet, not using gadgets afte…

Yes. Lack of sleep weakens my discipline and makes it easier to get sucked in and it's a vicious cycle after that.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#103

Post by Disruptive_Dave »

Meditation, meditation, meditation. These devices/games/stimuli are training your brain, so it's up to you to actively combat that with your own training. That's how I view it - you are being programmed one way or another, either by outside forces or by your own doing.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#104

Post by rabidrat »

SolaceQuantum wrote: post #36
Capt-RogerOver wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Since you already experiment with things like meditation and psychedelics, you should look more into finding out more about your psyche and feelings, and other self-development themes. Find out more about your inner being, about the structure of your (and in general, human) soul, what motivates you, what deep fears you have, in what ways are you still unconscious about yourself. There are tons of books, trainings, co…

What do you do if the situation you are in do not allow time to sit down and perform deep introspective behavior? I find myself very easily falling into introspection to the point where my mind often cries out for it if I go without for a while. However, my current work and the balancing of multiple careers (as a programmer, as a writer) and social obligations mean I often don't have time and feel intense stress/dist…

It doesn't have to be for long periods of time. 30-60 minutes a day of quiet sitting (sometimes called 'meditation') is sufficient to get your mind on an unconscious self-development track for the rest of your day.

If you have a hard time squeezing even this out, then you might try "pay yourself first". The same tactic that's helpful for saving dollars, is helpful for creating the space for introspection. Doesn't matter if your work deadline is looming, or writing needs doing, as long as there's no physical emergency, the 30 minutes of planned sitting is priority.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#105

Post by mcphage »

marmot777 wrote: post #97
Torgo wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the daily reminder that technology is not politically or socially "neutral".

Technology is neutral, though. It's the people using the technology that are not neutral or am I missing something?

It's not, because technology is a product of the people and processes that created it. And since people and processes aren't neutral (who is, after all), the technology they create won't be, either.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#106

Post by cellularmitosis »

marmot777 wrote: post #66
gerbilly wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>I'd be interested to hear everyone's strategies to combat this, as I assume many of us that work in the industry encounter similar problems of distraction and inundation. - Close any social media account not used for your job. - Stop using GPS unless in dire emergencies, even in foreign cities. Buy a map, ask directions. - Read physical newspapers and books. - Text people only for coordinating where to physically me…

Then I'd have to face the holes in my life. That kind of sucks.

Louis CK had some great thoughts about that: https://youtu.be/5HbYScltf1c?t=54s

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#107

Post by tome »

cushychicken wrote: post #53
Torgo wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the daily reminder that technology is not politically or socially "neutral".

What was the origin of that quote? I mentioned it offhand in conversation the other day but couldn't remember where I'd heard it.

Are you perhaps thinking of "Technology is neither good nor bad; nor is it neutral"?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melvin_Kranzberg

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#108

Post by marmot777 »

mcphage wrote: post #105
marmot777 wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Technology is neutral, though. It's the people using the technology that are not neutral or am I missing something?

It's not, because technology is a product of the people and processes that created it. And since people and processes aren't neutral (who is, after all), the technology they create won't be, either.

I may come off as disagreeing but I question to understand. Do you have some tangible examples?

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#109

Post by marmot777 »

cmstoken wrote: post #95
marmot777 wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What is the reason for doing this though? I don't feel the need to do this. It feels like a solution looking for a problem. I realize Facebook takes up time but I usually have fun on Facebook. But I probably use it to make up for weaknesses and to avoid being alone with my thoughts at times.

Interesting. If you actually enjoy being on Facebook there is no reason to do this. It's only going to help if you're trying to give it up like you did with Twitter. My suggestion is a less radical alternative to the common "delete your Facebook account" mantra that you mentioned.

Yes, that's right. I'm realizing that the problem the OP brings up is really a spectrum. I actually do think I have a problem with too much time online but everyone's solution isn't drastic measures. For some it might be scheduling yoga, the gym, a beer with friends. You know you have a problem when you're grateful when a friend cancels plans as you get to spend more time online.

One thing is clear though, immersion without awareness is inherently unhealthy. The first step toward finding one's way is awareness or a reminder of the awareness you once had.

Re: I Used to Be a Human Being

#110

Post by rhizome »

Retr0spectrum wrote: post #56
mcguire wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure nxzero (and I) think that is a good thing.

I got the impression that nxzero thought it was a good thing. Filtering out the signal from the noise.

There are two value judgements in there: that there is a such thing as "must have" information that could be provided by such technology, and that a technology's ability to provide that information means it's getting "good."
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