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Diana van Eyk's avatar

Now how do we learn from this, so that we can take the world in a better direction?

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Mark Taylor's avatar

That is THE question, Diana. The first step is being clear-eyed about the reality we confront. One thing I have been doing lately is to minimize my use of online consumer stuff. I know that does little -- maybe nothing -- but I don't want to collaborate in my own imprisonment.

When iPhones first came out the hospital I worked at purchased phones for all staff so we would be able to be called in 24 hours a day and do paperwork at home on the weekend. Every one was giddy to get their phones. I kept refusing, saying I had no interest in having one. They kept insisting. I kept resisting, until one day a manager basically cornered me in my office and I had to take the damn thing. Now I'm hooked and dependent on the devilish device.

I know we are all tracked and nothing is private (screw you CIA, BTW).

My next book to read is "Pegasus: How a Spy in Your Pocket Threatens the End of Privacy, Dignity and Democracy" ... https://www.amazon.com/Pegasus-Threatens-Privacy-Dignity-Democracy/dp/B09QBD91KX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IWVWVTMZ9207&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MR5XxbPwjLiNNb020nakHLui7VCEWPnybYHMsTCQIwDqGVX4Fjp4TQageAa4mgxxgY-WpyYVms_uZ3Des0r9MO0XNNeWGUHC-t1BFLW-8AGSX55Gnn9yzee3Ymd9w6Hi9RBafFsPaz1u25lLBJWs0VWmZZU6rMPVa8HZNCwJwZ3cehnUQ221BDZJgdv2xOQshrZPtc-Y8bs1kaWtp9y5MNmHlEQvp51X4BgVjoKywjI.kEkebgzzP99vCs_mn31vTC2AfI35Dg2OvdYpiXOs4SE&dib_tag=se&keywords=pegasus+book&qid=1713529153&sprefix=pegasus+book%2Caps%2C238&sr=8-1

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Diana van Eyk's avatar

I finally broke down and got one too, and there's so much I dislike about it.

My laptop is second hand and it's where I spend most of my screen time.

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Mark Taylor's avatar

The neuro-psychology of it all with the dopamine hits is totally addicting and the tech companies understand it and manipulate it expertly. It's really very dark.

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Francis/Clare's avatar

I think Max Azzarrello was onto all this. RIP

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