Excellent description and analysis. Another “act of resistance“ I have found is the deliberate cultivation of small groups of individuals who are interested in discussing what we’ve read. Not all of the recovery of “signal” needs to be done in isolation. Thanks for the timely reminder!
Gregory, thanks for taking the time to read and respond. I agree with you completely. I regularly participate in discussion groups with The Catherine Project which has been a tremendous joy and helped to filter out the noise and hone in on the signal.
Yes, you can learn to swim in a noisy environment.
The process strengthens the executive state of one's mind. The default state bubbles, literally, mindlessly. Meditation teaches one to focus on and attend to what is important.
Take a look at Healthy Minds. A science based mind training app. It is strength training for one's brain.
Very nice, Matthew. I notice the changes in myself, and I am someone who, by ordinary standards, spends quite a bit of time reading, avoids social media, and has relatively modest access to much of the available digital technology. When I see this in myself, and I then think about people like the undergraduate students I teach--who read less, are online more, and use social media extensively, along with other digital resources to which I'm more or less oblivious--then I can only imagine the effects on them.
Peter, thanks. I appreciate you taking the time to read and respond. Like you, I am likely hearing less noise than the majority of the population and yet have seen its impact. I observe my kids (22 and 18) who are in the midst of the digital chaos and wonder how they do it.
A stunning essay, Matthew. I’ve been sick for the past couple of of weeks with the flu — sicker than I’ve ever been in my life. But maybe a big part of it is electronic media stealing my attention, focus, sleep, health, family life, for more than a year. You’ve stated this brilliantly. Many thanks, my friend.
Excellent piece. I’m forwarding this to everyone I love. You hit the nail on the head when you shared Aldous Huxley’s warning that “people would come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think.” Many aren’t even aware their minds are drowning, hypnotized in a sea of cheap dopamine. I started a series last year called In Defense Of to explore and celebrate some of the oft maligned or avoided: boredom, going nowhere, missing out… You might enjoy checking a few out as supporting inspiration for these essays. 🙏
I’ll give this one another read when I can focus better ☺️
Good one Matthew and I think you’re on to something with the pathology and associated guilt. It’s not our fault. But it is within our control to adapt and not play the victim to it.
What an excellent essay and topic, Matthew! And what a suitable metaphor for the mind -- the drowning mind. Maybe not even a metaphor, but the actual experience we have.
I read your piece in one sitting, and I only got distracted 4 times throughout. I really like your focus on this being a collective issue, rather than individual, which lowers personal guilt.
Another negative outcome besides the ones you mention is the increased lack of critical thinking -- I see it around everywhere, people not only lacking the ability to form well-thought-out arguments, and to discern if the information they have is true or not, but they can't even be bothered with such activities. I feel like we're losing the richness of human interaction and synergies by lacking all of these abilities as of late.
Monica, thank you so much for taking the time to read and respond. It really means a lot to me. I agree with you on the point about critical thinking. In some ways I feel like a lot of the noise has been intended to turn people into mental clones who regurgitate whatever is input into them without any internal processing. It definitely impacts interpersonal relationships.
Absolutely, it's a typical measure to control the masses, to numb them and have them react less. I don't have to tell you about it, since you live in Trumpland, sadly...
Matthew this is an essay everyone who cares about the future should read. Your detailed and beautifully metaphoric perceptions are not only stunning in their eloquence but 'stunningly' true also! This is not only a warning but a plea and reminder to us all — thank you for sharing, I look forward to the next chapters!
A very thoughtful analysis, Matthew, and one which inevitably resonates with almost everyone who will come to read it. The problem is simple in essence, but complex in its ingrainedness. For myself, the screen presents many problems, and the screen itself can be broken down into hierarchies of harm. If it has to be a screen, I try and make sure that I carry out all screen work on the main desktop computer and as little as possible on the phone. I’ve never cared for smart watch or tablet, so that leaves only the laptop in between those main two attention-grabbing box-of-light devices. I have had to ween myself back onto books and the printed page and you are right to label it a withdrawal symptom.
Matt, thank you my friend for reading and sharing your own experience. I only have a desktop and the phone. Like you I attempt to do the majority of everything on the desktop. I am avoiding the watches, tablets, and other devices as much as possible.
I do think this is my favourite post by you Matthew. What a brilliant essay!
I kinda wish I had read it before I sat down and wrote my own thoughts on having no reading goals this year, because now I come to realise that a big part of the reason I felt extremely tired over the holidays was the constant noise I've been living in. The silence I've had the past few weeks has been so refreshing. The amount of walks I did over Christmas with no music or podcasts on really helped me find some peace again.
This post will one of those I keep coming back to. And now I need to research the authors mentioned too. Johann Hari is a favourite here - I really enjoyed reading his Lost Connections a few years back
Thanks Gabby. I am glad this one connected with you. I used to always listen to a podcast or audiobook on my walks. Now I leave the phone at home and just listen to nature. It has been a real healing experience, finding that peace you speak of. Wishing you all the best in this year.
Excellent description and analysis. Another “act of resistance“ I have found is the deliberate cultivation of small groups of individuals who are interested in discussing what we’ve read. Not all of the recovery of “signal” needs to be done in isolation. Thanks for the timely reminder!
Gregory, thanks for taking the time to read and respond. I agree with you completely. I regularly participate in discussion groups with The Catherine Project which has been a tremendous joy and helped to filter out the noise and hone in on the signal.
“filter out the noise and hone in on the signal”…exactly
Yes, you can learn to swim in a noisy environment.
The process strengthens the executive state of one's mind. The default state bubbles, literally, mindlessly. Meditation teaches one to focus on and attend to what is important.
Take a look at Healthy Minds. A science based mind training app. It is strength training for one's brain.
Robert, thanks for taking the time to read and share your thoughts. I will check out the app.
The best work I've read on "the age of noise." I look forward to future installments in the series!
Thanks Katy. I appreciate the compliment.
Excellent, particularly for me as a deep reader of everything Annie Dillard has written, Matthew.
Thank you Mary.
Very nice, Matthew. I notice the changes in myself, and I am someone who, by ordinary standards, spends quite a bit of time reading, avoids social media, and has relatively modest access to much of the available digital technology. When I see this in myself, and I then think about people like the undergraduate students I teach--who read less, are online more, and use social media extensively, along with other digital resources to which I'm more or less oblivious--then I can only imagine the effects on them.
I look forward to future installments.
Peter, thanks. I appreciate you taking the time to read and respond. Like you, I am likely hearing less noise than the majority of the population and yet have seen its impact. I observe my kids (22 and 18) who are in the midst of the digital chaos and wonder how they do it.
Excellent piece Matthew. This one will I’ll refer back to again and again. Looking forward to future installments.
Thank you Noreen. I hope you are doing well.
A stunning essay, Matthew. I’ve been sick for the past couple of of weeks with the flu — sicker than I’ve ever been in my life. But maybe a big part of it is electronic media stealing my attention, focus, sleep, health, family life, for more than a year. You’ve stated this brilliantly. Many thanks, my friend.
Thank you Mary. I am sorry you haven't been well. Praying for a swift recovery. Thanks for reading and appreciating this essay.
Excellent piece. I’m forwarding this to everyone I love. You hit the nail on the head when you shared Aldous Huxley’s warning that “people would come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think.” Many aren’t even aware their minds are drowning, hypnotized in a sea of cheap dopamine. I started a series last year called In Defense Of to explore and celebrate some of the oft maligned or avoided: boredom, going nowhere, missing out… You might enjoy checking a few out as supporting inspiration for these essays. 🙏
Thanks Kimberly. I will check out your essay series. I appreciate you letting me know about them.
I’ll give this one another read when I can focus better ☺️
Good one Matthew and I think you’re on to something with the pathology and associated guilt. It’s not our fault. But it is within our control to adapt and not play the victim to it.
Great stuff.
Thanks brother. I appreciate you taking the time to read and respond. Wishing you all the best.
What an excellent essay and topic, Matthew! And what a suitable metaphor for the mind -- the drowning mind. Maybe not even a metaphor, but the actual experience we have.
I read your piece in one sitting, and I only got distracted 4 times throughout. I really like your focus on this being a collective issue, rather than individual, which lowers personal guilt.
Another negative outcome besides the ones you mention is the increased lack of critical thinking -- I see it around everywhere, people not only lacking the ability to form well-thought-out arguments, and to discern if the information they have is true or not, but they can't even be bothered with such activities. I feel like we're losing the richness of human interaction and synergies by lacking all of these abilities as of late.
Monica, thank you so much for taking the time to read and respond. It really means a lot to me. I agree with you on the point about critical thinking. In some ways I feel like a lot of the noise has been intended to turn people into mental clones who regurgitate whatever is input into them without any internal processing. It definitely impacts interpersonal relationships.
Absolutely, it's a typical measure to control the masses, to numb them and have them react less. I don't have to tell you about it, since you live in Trumpland, sadly...
Matthew this is an essay everyone who cares about the future should read. Your detailed and beautifully metaphoric perceptions are not only stunning in their eloquence but 'stunningly' true also! This is not only a warning but a plea and reminder to us all — thank you for sharing, I look forward to the next chapters!
Susie, many thanks my friend for taking the time to read and respond. This is a topic near and dear to my heart.
Mine too Matthew, working with young humans shows just how damaging and terrifying it can be.
Well, this is brilliant. Thank you, Matthew. I’m wholeheartedly in.
Thanks Holly!
A very thoughtful analysis, Matthew, and one which inevitably resonates with almost everyone who will come to read it. The problem is simple in essence, but complex in its ingrainedness. For myself, the screen presents many problems, and the screen itself can be broken down into hierarchies of harm. If it has to be a screen, I try and make sure that I carry out all screen work on the main desktop computer and as little as possible on the phone. I’ve never cared for smart watch or tablet, so that leaves only the laptop in between those main two attention-grabbing box-of-light devices. I have had to ween myself back onto books and the printed page and you are right to label it a withdrawal symptom.
Matt, thank you my friend for reading and sharing your own experience. I only have a desktop and the phone. Like you I attempt to do the majority of everything on the desktop. I am avoiding the watches, tablets, and other devices as much as possible.
This is an excellent piece Matthew, one for everyone to read! Thank you 🙏
Thanks JoJo. I really appreciate you taking the time to read. All my best to you and Barrie.
I don’t think I’ve encountered an article that has consumed my attention like yours in a long time. I very much look forward to future posts.
Thank you Denise. I appreciate you taking the time to read.
I do think this is my favourite post by you Matthew. What a brilliant essay!
I kinda wish I had read it before I sat down and wrote my own thoughts on having no reading goals this year, because now I come to realise that a big part of the reason I felt extremely tired over the holidays was the constant noise I've been living in. The silence I've had the past few weeks has been so refreshing. The amount of walks I did over Christmas with no music or podcasts on really helped me find some peace again.
This post will one of those I keep coming back to. And now I need to research the authors mentioned too. Johann Hari is a favourite here - I really enjoyed reading his Lost Connections a few years back
Thanks Gabby. I am glad this one connected with you. I used to always listen to a podcast or audiobook on my walks. Now I leave the phone at home and just listen to nature. It has been a real healing experience, finding that peace you speak of. Wishing you all the best in this year.