I've often joked that the friends of mine who announce digital detox endeavors of stepping away from social media always end up coming back. Cold Turkey indefinitely? It's rare. And furthermore, what does it prove? Does it really help or is it a privilege even to be able to make a choice like that?

Well, Matt Klein's essay below caught my eye, and it worked its way up from the ideas section below all the way to the intro.

You can click for the long read or continue for the TL;DR

“The question should not be about how humanely our technologies program human beings, but about how well human beings can program technology.” – Douglas Rushkoff

Klein cites Rushkoff twice in his conclusion & you know I love sharing food for thought lists here. So, rather than aspiring for offline zen, consider digital acceptance & pick up your pen:

👥 "Denaturalize power by revealing social constructions which are ideas we merely invented, and are not pre-existing laws we must adhere to"
🕊️ "Trigger agency by reminding ourselves how digital environments offer us endless possibilities of access, authorship and agency, not constraint"
🤝 "Resocialize people by making it easier to ask for favors, establish rapport or build solidarity, instead of seeing people as members of opposing tribes — we’re all on the same team"
💡"Cultivate awe by seeding styles of education or art that engender a tighter embrace of the moment"

How's that for some Monday motivation? After all, and I agree, Klein suggests: "Our strength should not be measured by our ability to push away our tech, but by our ability to hold and live with tech in peace."

Now go for a walk or ride & no phone! ; )

with appreciation,

Jon

p.s.

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