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Nicely said. I never understand how some people who claim to be 'intellectuals' (whatever that means) seem incapable of grasping the following truism: Change

Nicely said. I never understand how some people who claim to be 'intellectuals' (whatever that means) seem incapable of grasping the following truism: Change happens. Something is gained. Something is lost. I mean, it's fine to lament the passing of a world, but Jesus, get some perspective.

williamcotton 12y ago
Ok, so change is inevitable, but how about you get some empathy for the people who had other plans that were derailed in the process of "creative disruption"? Count your lucky stars that things are working out for you because you might be in the position some day where your skills and knowledge quickly become obsolete.
- benihana 12y ago
  Please. This piece is not about empathy for people who've been disrupted. It's a self-proclaimed intellectual bemoaning the fact that the change that is inevitable isn't happening the way he thinks it should. He's not feeling for the factory worker in Detroit who is out of a job. He's feeling for himself because when he strolls around the East Village, he's sad that there aren't bookstores. He's sad because now everyone has a voice and his voice isn't as loud or meaningful. It's the exact opposite of what you're suggesting: 'getting some' empathy for people.
  - williamcotton 12y ago
    So was everyone of these "gatekeepers" just a "self-proclaimed intellectual" before social media came along and "liberated everyone from their tyranny"?
    - deleted 12y ago
      [deleted]
- shanusmagnus 12y ago
  Man, you're sure assuming a lot about me, my life circumstances, and my level of empathy. FWIW, I feel keenly for people who get the rug yanked out from under them, even in circumstances when they should have seen it coming, even (usually) when they come across as entitled and patronizing assholes, because fear can do that to you. I admit that my heart grows less tender when people shake their fists at the sky for the cruel turns the world has wrought unto them, without acknowledging the myriad ways they have benefited from the same forces that have given rise to their complaints. Another mitigating factor, as a sibling on this thread remarked, is that I am unaware of this author's poignant appeal on behalf of milkmen, TV repairmen, and gas station attendants, although you are free to correct me on that account.
  - williamcotton 12y ago
    I admit that my heart grows less tender when people shake their fists at the sky for the cruel turns the world has wrought unto them, without acknowledging the myriad ways they have benefited from the same forces that have given rise to their complaints. That's basically the description of callousness. You're rather arrogantly assuming that you're capable of judging wether or not they have benefited from these changes. Economic factors and whiz-bang gadgets might not excite people as much as having a stable core of friends and family around them. I'm sure you've seen studies on how uncorrelated economic indicators and happiness are? I am unaware of this author's poignant appeal on behalf of milkmen, TV repairmen, and gas station attendants Why is that pertinent?
    - nl 12y ago
      >> I am unaware of this author's poignant appeal on behalf of milkmen, TV repairmen, and gas station attendants > Why is that pertinent? The author start Amid the bacchanal of disruption, let us pause to honor the disrupted. I think it is reasonable for someone to point out that his "honoring" only seems to apply to (for want of a better term) the "creative classes" as opposed to blue collar workers.
      - williamcotton 12y ago
ThomPete 12y ago
Perspective of who? I am assuming you are not claiming there is only one perspective right? So perhaps these peoples perspective isn't the same as yours as their benefits aren't as obvious. Change happens that much is sure but lets not replace that insight for thinking about how to deal with the fact that people who get disrupted aren't all part of the self improvement clique and can't just change their lives from cleaning lady to Ruby developer.

williamcotton 12y ago

Ok, so change is inevitable, but how about you get some empathy for the people who had other plans that were derailed in the process of "creative disruption"? Count your lucky stars that things are working out for you because you might be in the position some day where your skills and knowledge quickly become obsolete.

benihana 12y ago
Please. This piece is not about empathy for people who've been disrupted. It's a self-proclaimed intellectual bemoaning the fact that the change that is inevitable isn't happening the way he thinks it should. He's not feeling for the factory worker in Detroit who is out of a job. He's feeling for himself because when he strolls around the East Village, he's sad that there aren't bookstores. He's sad because now everyone has a voice and his voice isn't as loud or meaningful. It's the exact opposite of what you're suggesting: 'getting some' empathy for people.
- williamcotton 12y ago
  So was everyone of these "gatekeepers" just a "self-proclaimed intellectual" before social media came along and "liberated everyone from their tyranny"?
  - deleted 12y ago
    [deleted]
shanusmagnus 12y ago
Man, you're sure assuming a lot about me, my life circumstances, and my level of empathy. FWIW, I feel keenly for people who get the rug yanked out from under them, even in circumstances when they should have seen it coming, even (usually) when they come across as entitled and patronizing assholes, because fear can do that to you. I admit that my heart grows less tender when people shake their fists at the sky for the cruel turns the world has wrought unto them, without acknowledging the myriad ways they have benefited from the same forces that have given rise to their complaints. Another mitigating factor, as a sibling on this thread remarked, is that I am unaware of this author's poignant appeal on behalf of milkmen, TV repairmen, and gas station attendants, although you are free to correct me on that account.
- williamcotton 12y ago
  I admit that my heart grows less tender when people shake their fists at the sky for the cruel turns the world has wrought unto them, without acknowledging the myriad ways they have benefited from the same forces that have given rise to their complaints. That's basically the description of callousness. You're rather arrogantly assuming that you're capable of judging wether or not they have benefited from these changes. Economic factors and whiz-bang gadgets might not excite people as much as having a stable core of friends and family around them. I'm sure you've seen studies on how uncorrelated economic indicators and happiness are? I am unaware of this author's poignant appeal on behalf of milkmen, TV repairmen, and gas station attendants Why is that pertinent?
  - nl 12y ago
    >> I am unaware of this author's poignant appeal on behalf of milkmen, TV repairmen, and gas station attendants > Why is that pertinent? The author start Amid the bacchanal of disruption, let us pause to honor the disrupted. I think it is reasonable for someone to point out that his "honoring" only seems to apply to (for want of a better term) the "creative classes" as opposed to blue collar workers.
    - williamcotton 12y ago

ThomPete 12y ago

Perspective of who? I am assuming you are not claiming there is only one perspective right? So perhaps these peoples perspective isn't the same as yours as their benefits aren't as obvious. Change happens that much is sure but lets not replace that insight for thinking about how to deal with the fact that people who get disrupted aren't all part of the self improvement clique and can't just change their lives from cleaning lady to Ruby developer.