2 ms·

Just this afternoon I was reflecting on how, in many case, N hours of internet feels like nothing in your mind. It's a long stream of nice actions that rarely l

Just this afternoon I was reflecting on how, in many case, N hours of internet feels like nothing in your mind. It's a long stream of nice actions that rarely lead to a worthy memory. On paper it's great, you have free, high grade information.. but something is missing.

Jtsummers 4y ago
Real engagement, not passive. Even discussions like these aren't always memorable. It's like driving the same route to and from the office for years, at some point you start arriving home or at the office with little recollection of what happened in between. You weren't asleep, but you made few new memories if nothing out of the ordinary happened (days I remember: Seeing a red truck on its side off the road, the days deer or antelope cross the path, the time a cow decided to turn up on the road, etc.). So what are you doing on the internet? Just reading? Is it creating new memories, new connections? Sometimes, but how frequently? What if you try to actively engage with the material, make summaries, try out the ideas in a small project, anything.
- agumonkey 4y ago
  right, thus I wonder about two things: - disconnected events even if passive, like contemplating, or having someone around, doesn't cause the same kind of void - being genuinely active on internet is hard, your brain is constantly battling the possibility of a sweet distraction in your browser tab
nicbou 4y ago
Perhaps leave some time for contemplation. It's getting really hard to just be alone with your thoughts; a whole industry is devoted to replacing it with more scrolling. It's still worth it though. I love going on long motorcycle rides, because I get to let thoughts resurface, and to chew on them for as long as needed. I can't chase them online unless they persist for hours. I have to just think about stuff unassisted. I often return from longer motorcycle trips with a sense of clarity that's hard to describe. The same applies to long walks and hiking, if I can resist using my phone.
- bumby 4y ago
  Your motorcycle riding reminded me of Attention Restoration Theory, where spending time in nature recharges oneself in pert due to the loosely held attention (as opposed to directed attention, like when we read or spend time online).
  - nicbou 4y ago
    It's basically an extended shower thinking session. I started adding tea breaks to my work day and it helps too, if I can force myself to sit idle on the balcony.
  - agumonkey 4y ago
    Nature is also extremely vibrant and dense, but no abstracted or symbolic. Trying to follow squirrels in forest or pick a path in dense woods will warm up your brain quite a bit.
    - nicbou 4y ago
      Observing nature is a skill that needs practice. It's one of the most rewarding things you can learn.
- ghiculescu 4y ago
  Good comment - time to put the phone away for the day.
- agumonkey 4y ago
  funny cause i mentionned contemplation here https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33060801 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33060801 i also like hiking or biking because it massages my brain and revive subtle thoughts for free

Jtsummers 4y ago

Real engagement, not passive. Even discussions like these aren't always memorable. It's like driving the same route to and from the office for years, at some point you start arriving home or at the office with little recollection of what happened in between. You weren't asleep, but you made few new memories if nothing out of the ordinary happened (days I remember: Seeing a red truck on its side off the road, the days deer or antelope cross the path, the time a cow decided to turn up on the road, etc.). So what are you doing on the internet? Just reading? Is it creating new memories, new connections? Sometimes, but how frequently? What if you try to actively engage with the material, make summaries, try out the ideas in a small project, anything.

agumonkey 4y ago
right, thus I wonder about two things: - disconnected events even if passive, like contemplating, or having someone around, doesn't cause the same kind of void - being genuinely active on internet is hard, your brain is constantly battling the possibility of a sweet distraction in your browser tab

nicbou 4y ago

Perhaps leave some time for contemplation. It's getting really hard to just be alone with your thoughts; a whole industry is devoted to replacing it with more scrolling. It's still worth it though. I love going on long motorcycle rides, because I get to let thoughts resurface, and to chew on them for as long as needed. I can't chase them online unless they persist for hours. I have to just think about stuff unassisted. I often return from longer motorcycle trips with a sense of clarity that's hard to describe. The same applies to long walks and hiking, if I can resist using my phone.

bumby 4y ago
Your motorcycle riding reminded me of Attention Restoration Theory, where spending time in nature recharges oneself in pert due to the loosely held attention (as opposed to directed attention, like when we read or spend time online).
- nicbou 4y ago
  It's basically an extended shower thinking session. I started adding tea breaks to my work day and it helps too, if I can force myself to sit idle on the balcony.
- agumonkey 4y ago
  Nature is also extremely vibrant and dense, but no abstracted or symbolic. Trying to follow squirrels in forest or pick a path in dense woods will warm up your brain quite a bit.
  - nicbou 4y ago
    Observing nature is a skill that needs practice. It's one of the most rewarding things you can learn.
ghiculescu 4y ago
Good comment - time to put the phone away for the day.
agumonkey 4y ago
funny cause i mentionned contemplation here https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33060801 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33060801 i also like hiking or biking because it massages my brain and revive subtle thoughts for free