You have put in crystal clear words what I've been observing (with some unease) for some time.
People do seem to be devolving in their capacities. What we have created is a world where 24/7 you can access music recorded and tuned to the highest possible levels of mastery, films and shows created with literally out of this world special effects, play video games of a depth and intricacy more attractive than the real world.
In such a world the urge to passively consume/enjoy other people's work easily outweighs the inner human drive to improve and get better - whether its getting more physically fit, playing an instrument, writing (why write when you can see so many better authors out there?). More disturbingly is that a lot of my students don't even play video games anymore, preferring to spend their time watching OTHER people play games.
I asked a student once, if he spent so much time watching streamers play Fortnite, why not just spend that time actually - y'know - playing the game and getting better at it? He looked up at me like I'd said something ridiculous and said, "No way, I could never get that good." That has stuck with me. How many kids are out there with that attitude towards life? They don't even bother to try because they are comparing themselves to an extremely lofty ideal.
I trace this back to the internet. Being able to access the best the world has to offer, on demand, appears to crush as many people into accepting helplessness and mediocrity, as it has inspired and enabled people to get 10X better at stuff.
Wow! That is incredibly powerful and incredibly insightful. Also, I'm glad you made the connection to the internet and the hyperconnected world. A fantastic point. Although your example is a few steps more extreme and not a perfect analogy, it strikes me that this is similar to how our nation loves watching sports yet has grown sedentary and obese. I'll admit, I like to follow pro sports too, but I'm quite disturbed by how rare/hard it is for adults to just get together and play a physical game. Why is this something we decide to stop doing. I've been playing games a couple days a week with many of my sports teams as the year approaches a close and I'm blown away by how much fun they have and how much fun I have.
Yes! Whatever happened to just getting together and doing something physical for the fun of it? I do the CrossFit Open or obstacle course races with my gym buddies sometimes. Do any of us expect to podium? Absolutely not. I think it is a worrying prospect that kids (and many many adults) think there is no point doing something unless they are guaranteed to succeed in it. This is probably only scratching the tip of the iceberg. So much to uncover and unpack behind it.
So far I have found no one size fits all approach. I have conversations with the kids as a group and one on one to probe and encourage them. Some are receptive and get the hint and start putting in effort when they see sense in what I say. Some will remain stubborn and insist along the lines of "No, it's not possible" without ever really trying. The latter camp is growing...
I have had all my tracking and notification settings turned off for a long time now. Although I would like to have text message notifications, somehow on my latest phone I don't know how to turn them on. I find notifications intrusive. My text notification sound is the lowest, most unobtrusive one I could find. Barely audible.
Although I am VERY adept at navigation naturally, and of using maps, the GPS is awfully handy. I only use a desktop or laptop if it is absolutely necessary and even then I whine about it. I loathe screens and I loathe the lie that the tech Industry has foisted on us about our need for it.
I admit, I do have a problem with just "picking up"my smartphone for no good reason. It is weird.
I cringe to think of all the hours, weeks, perhaps months I have lost staring at a smartphone.
Loved the post. Thank you.
P.S. have you (y'all) listened to the John ODononhugh podcast I sent yet?
Vollie, thanks so much for sending that podcast. Just finishing actually! I could listen to Donohue talk all day. Beauty as becoming. Made me feel all one with the world. Thank you!
Also, thank you for reading and commenting. Sounds like you are on top of this challenge. It seems to be the challenge of our time.
You have put in crystal clear words what I've been observing (with some unease) for some time.
People do seem to be devolving in their capacities. What we have created is a world where 24/7 you can access music recorded and tuned to the highest possible levels of mastery, films and shows created with literally out of this world special effects, play video games of a depth and intricacy more attractive than the real world.
In such a world the urge to passively consume/enjoy other people's work easily outweighs the inner human drive to improve and get better - whether its getting more physically fit, playing an instrument, writing (why write when you can see so many better authors out there?). More disturbingly is that a lot of my students don't even play video games anymore, preferring to spend their time watching OTHER people play games.
I asked a student once, if he spent so much time watching streamers play Fortnite, why not just spend that time actually - y'know - playing the game and getting better at it? He looked up at me like I'd said something ridiculous and said, "No way, I could never get that good." That has stuck with me. How many kids are out there with that attitude towards life? They don't even bother to try because they are comparing themselves to an extremely lofty ideal.
I trace this back to the internet. Being able to access the best the world has to offer, on demand, appears to crush as many people into accepting helplessness and mediocrity, as it has inspired and enabled people to get 10X better at stuff.
Wow! That is incredibly powerful and incredibly insightful. Also, I'm glad you made the connection to the internet and the hyperconnected world. A fantastic point. Although your example is a few steps more extreme and not a perfect analogy, it strikes me that this is similar to how our nation loves watching sports yet has grown sedentary and obese. I'll admit, I like to follow pro sports too, but I'm quite disturbed by how rare/hard it is for adults to just get together and play a physical game. Why is this something we decide to stop doing. I've been playing games a couple days a week with many of my sports teams as the year approaches a close and I'm blown away by how much fun they have and how much fun I have.
Yes! Whatever happened to just getting together and doing something physical for the fun of it? I do the CrossFit Open or obstacle course races with my gym buddies sometimes. Do any of us expect to podium? Absolutely not. I think it is a worrying prospect that kids (and many many adults) think there is no point doing something unless they are guaranteed to succeed in it. This is probably only scratching the tip of the iceberg. So much to uncover and unpack behind it.
So far I have found no one size fits all approach. I have conversations with the kids as a group and one on one to probe and encourage them. Some are receptive and get the hint and start putting in effort when they see sense in what I say. Some will remain stubborn and insist along the lines of "No, it's not possible" without ever really trying. The latter camp is growing...
I have had all my tracking and notification settings turned off for a long time now. Although I would like to have text message notifications, somehow on my latest phone I don't know how to turn them on. I find notifications intrusive. My text notification sound is the lowest, most unobtrusive one I could find. Barely audible.
Although I am VERY adept at navigation naturally, and of using maps, the GPS is awfully handy. I only use a desktop or laptop if it is absolutely necessary and even then I whine about it. I loathe screens and I loathe the lie that the tech Industry has foisted on us about our need for it.
I admit, I do have a problem with just "picking up"my smartphone for no good reason. It is weird.
I cringe to think of all the hours, weeks, perhaps months I have lost staring at a smartphone.
Loved the post. Thank you.
P.S. have you (y'all) listened to the John ODononhugh podcast I sent yet?
Vollie, thanks so much for sending that podcast. Just finishing actually! I could listen to Donohue talk all day. Beauty as becoming. Made me feel all one with the world. Thank you!
Also, thank you for reading and commenting. Sounds like you are on top of this challenge. It seems to be the challenge of our time.