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I feel that media (from newspapers onwards) are doing a great harm by consuming more and more of the attention that people could have spent on each other. A big

I feel that media (from newspapers onwards) are doing a great harm by consuming more and more of the attention that people could have spent on each other. A big part of modern loneliness can be blamed on this. When you empathize with Harry Potter more strongly than with those near you, they feel the loss, even though they can't articulate it. Many escapist fantasies are yearning for a world where people pay more attention to each other, and everyone matters more. Unfortunately it's not an individual problem ("stop complaining and make yourself worthy of attention"), but a collective one, similar to those game theory examples where selfish decision-making leads to the worst outcome for all. Creating more startups and more media is only going to make it worse. I've toyed with some ideas of improving things on a small scale, like opening a bar where people can't use their phones. I wish I knew a more general solution, though.

ericzawo 10y ago
I think there's reason to be optimistic. For example, social media and the internet have gave way to many new friendships and communities that simply wouldn't have been possible otherwise. While I understand and, too, struggle with the collective feeling of modern loneliness, I think ultimately there's more avenues than ever for people to bond over ideas. However, you are right that even more increased demand for our headspace in exchange for moments of reflection and, as Louis CK[1] says it, "just being a person," are cause for concern. 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HbYScltf1c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HbYScltf1c
studentrob 10y ago
> I feel that media (from newspapers onwards) are doing a great harm by consuming more and more of the attention that people could have spent on each other Is that media's fault? > Unfortunately it's not an individual problem ("stop complaining and make yourself worthy of attention"), but a collective one, similar to those game theory examples where selfish decision-making leads to the worst outcome for all. Creating more startups and more media is only going to make it worse Are you certain that everyone feels a burning desire to be known at such scales? > I've toyed with some ideas of improving things on a small scale, like opening a bar where people can't use their phones. I wish I knew a more general solution, though. That sounds fun! No need to save the world. Make a small one for yourself and revel in it. If you gave free drinks in exchange for being able to put people on TV, like big brother bar, where people have to figure out how to communicate without phones, I'd watch that haha

ericzawo 10y ago

I think there's reason to be optimistic. For example, social media and the internet have gave way to many new friendships and communities that simply wouldn't have been possible otherwise. While I understand and, too, struggle with the collective feeling of modern loneliness, I think ultimately there's more avenues than ever for people to bond over ideas. However, you are right that even more increased demand for our headspace in exchange for moments of reflection and, as Louis CK[1] says it, "just being a person," are cause for concern. 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HbYScltf1c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HbYScltf1c

studentrob 10y ago

> I feel that media (from newspapers onwards) are doing a great harm by consuming more and more of the attention that people could have spent on each other Is that media's fault? > Unfortunately it's not an individual problem ("stop complaining and make yourself worthy of attention"), but a collective one, similar to those game theory examples where selfish decision-making leads to the worst outcome for all. Creating more startups and more media is only going to make it worse Are you certain that everyone feels a burning desire to be known at such scales? > I've toyed with some ideas of improving things on a small scale, like opening a bar where people can't use their phones. I wish I knew a more general solution, though. That sounds fun! No need to save the world. Make a small one for yourself and revel in it. If you gave free drinks in exchange for being able to put people on TV, like big brother bar, where people have to figure out how to communicate without phones, I'd watch that haha