I have days where every conscious waking moment involves looking at a screen or listening to a podcast.
Whenever - very infrequently - I take some time to just think, unguided, it feels nice. Sometimes I resolve a nagging issue that's been percolating in my mind, or reach a strong conviction or a crystalized thought. Yet the sweet call of dopamine coming from my pocket draws me in.
We're not thinking autonomously very much anymore - at least I know I'm not - most of the time, I'm allowing my thoughts to be led. It's easier.
Maybe the rise in polarization we're seeing in society is partially fueled by our collective rewiring of our brains. Are people who spend less time thinking autonomously more prone to blind acceptance of the dogmas of their tribes?
Love it. Your last point tying things together resonates: I agree we are more prone to dogma and tribalism when we don't think for ourselves. A good example of this is the tribalistic split into red and blue political beliefs in the US. IMHO, people in each party most likely would not agree with the entire party platform but rarely think that critically about it.
I have days where every conscious waking moment involves looking at a screen or listening to a podcast.
Whenever - very infrequently - I take some time to just think, unguided, it feels nice. Sometimes I resolve a nagging issue that's been percolating in my mind, or reach a strong conviction or a crystalized thought. Yet the sweet call of dopamine coming from my pocket draws me in.
We're not thinking autonomously very much anymore - at least I know I'm not - most of the time, I'm allowing my thoughts to be led. It's easier.
Maybe the rise in polarization we're seeing in society is partially fueled by our collective rewiring of our brains. Are people who spend less time thinking autonomously more prone to blind acceptance of the dogmas of their tribes?
Love it. Your last point tying things together resonates: I agree we are more prone to dogma and tribalism when we don't think for ourselves. A good example of this is the tribalistic split into red and blue political beliefs in the US. IMHO, people in each party most likely would not agree with the entire party platform but rarely think that critically about it.