Tech Brew Ride Home (Bonus) Is Tech Making Us- Bored, Lonely, Angry, Stupid?
Jul 21, 2019
Luke Fernandez and Susan J. Matt, co-authors of "Bored, Lonely, Angry, Stupid," dive into the historical impact of technology on emotions and society. They discuss the cyclical anxieties surrounding new innovations, from writing to social media. The lack of awe in nature compared to technological wonders highlights a cultural shift. They also explore how technology influences feelings of boredom and loneliness, alongside the duality of provoking both awe and anger in today’s polarized discourse. Their insights offer a profound reflection on our digital age.
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Victorian Selfies
- Early photography studios offered fake ankles for women to appear more elegant.
- This catered to Victorian beauty standards, showing vanity existed before selfies.
Postal Divide and Narcissism
- Letter writing, initially for the rich, faced similar criticisms as today's social media.
- People worried about narcissism and sharing mundane details, revealing a historical pattern.
Distraction and Focus
- The modern obsession with focus is relatively recent, arising with increasing societal complexity.
- 19th-century thinkers worried about overwhelming the brain with information, unlike today's multitasking mindset.
