took awhile to get going but then it was really interesting. the question of why so many people go along is worthwhile. I happen to agree with Michael that most people are not capable of critical thought. the dog watching tv analogy was a good one. I've struggled with this for a long time, but I can't really think what else explains behavior. I've been reading lately that people in the u.s. read at an average of a 6th grade level. also (I wish I'd saved the reference) I read once that Piaget said that a large percentage (forgot if it was 40 or 60) people never go beyond the level of concrete operational thinking. I'm going to add here that I believe people were far smarter 70, 90.... years ago. by the way, that old "love it or leave it" attitude was huge in the Viet Nam era.
I think social media has for sure stunted our ability to think things through. Our brains are now trained to simply react and respond, motivated by 'likes'. That whole 'gamification' thing Gurwinder talks about. We're rewarded NOT for thinking things through in a nuanced way. Some of that is going to be instinctual, but certainly social media has ensured there is no reward for complicating things, not responding immediately, not knee jerking, etc
I feel sorry for those who use social media in lieu of real face to face interactions in the world, with other people, with animals, with trees, with sunsets, etc.
took awhile to get going but then it was really interesting. the question of why so many people go along is worthwhile. I happen to agree with Michael that most people are not capable of critical thought. the dog watching tv analogy was a good one. I've struggled with this for a long time, but I can't really think what else explains behavior. I've been reading lately that people in the u.s. read at an average of a 6th grade level. also (I wish I'd saved the reference) I read once that Piaget said that a large percentage (forgot if it was 40 or 60) people never go beyond the level of concrete operational thinking. I'm going to add here that I believe people were far smarter 70, 90.... years ago. by the way, that old "love it or leave it" attitude was huge in the Viet Nam era.
I think social media has for sure stunted our ability to think things through. Our brains are now trained to simply react and respond, motivated by 'likes'. That whole 'gamification' thing Gurwinder talks about. We're rewarded NOT for thinking things through in a nuanced way. Some of that is going to be instinctual, but certainly social media has ensured there is no reward for complicating things, not responding immediately, not knee jerking, etc
I feel sorry for those who use social media in lieu of real face to face interactions in the world, with other people, with animals, with trees, with sunsets, etc.
I like Kids in the Hall. Actually saw one of their live shows at Town Hall in NYC years ago AND Bruce McCulloch’s NYC solo show last year.
I think Kids in the Hall were so funny! I mean, I was a teenager then but I feel like those guys were good?
Well I was in my late 30s when they started. But there is another really great sketch show from CA. THE Baroness Von Sketch show.
Really great.
https://youtu.be/vsRcO3ODGFQ?si=vPAYnbhjc_DzQ0a2