courtenaybird:

“Tech companies are now directly fighting against empathy. They are building feeds that shape your mindset and distract you from the world around you. They want to fill you with rage to foster engagement until you feel empty inside. Feeds now divide people and affect the structure of our societies.”

How I cured my tech fatigue by ditching feeds

Repeat after me: Facebook, instagram, twitter – are not your friends. They are not even neutrally benign – their reason for existence is to enrich themselves by taking from YOU.

They are that Matrix machine that takes energy from people and gives them illusions in return. Unplugging yourself completely is already difficult, but still possible, and no pills are needed.

atlasobscura:

Down an unassuming Manhattan alley behind a plain steel door is ‘Mmuseumm’, a curated display of artifacts housed in a freight elevator. This tiny space features rotating and permanent collections, specializing in the “overlooked, dismissed, or ignored.” Mmuseumm offers a unique opportunity to engage with familiar and exotic everyday objects from around the world. Past exhibitions include Personal Possessions found in the Pacific, Paper Works found in Copying Machines, and Homemade Weapons of Defense. Visitors may call an 800 number to access a free audio guide. The museum fits three at a time. 📸: Photo courtesy Mmuseumm.

Need to go.

Can Our Democracy Survive Tribalism?

One of the great attractions of tribalism is that you don’t actually have to think very much. All you need to know on any given subject is which side you’re on. You pick up signals from everyone around you, you slowly winnow your acquaintances to those who will reinforce your worldview, a tribal leader calls the shots, and everything slips into place. After a while, your immersion in tribal loyalty makes the activities of another tribe not just alien but close to incomprehensible.

This is an important read, and important questions to ask ourselves.

Can Our Democracy Survive Tribalism?