Well, it feels to me like the combination of global connectivity and manipulative algorithms has created widespread attention-addiction. Everyone has been silently sold the idea that because we can speak, or write, or sing, or make a thousand ten second cat videos, then we should - because the technology is there. No one is encouraged to weigh their contribution to the media bonfire against the often better serving silence - because the tech intermediaries make more and more money exploiting the noise. But spiritually, this is the death of true creativity which comes from the still spaces within and isn’t about being noticed. Does this resonate?
It resonates most profoundly. Thank you. I couldn't agree more. There is another sense of "attention" that needs to be discussed, however: the attention needed to enter into the spiritual silence you mention. This is the kind of attention, or "seeing," that Josef Pieper talks about in his wonderful essay, "Learning How to See Again." I will no doubt write on this theme.
Oh yes, totally - attention as a relational and transformative gift rather than something grasping and narcissistic. Look forward to further unpacking and good to talk, Daniel.
Thanks, Daniel. Look forward to it. Can’t help wondering if the ‘attention-cult’ is at the heart of the rot.
Thanks, Adrian. Please say more.
Well, it feels to me like the combination of global connectivity and manipulative algorithms has created widespread attention-addiction. Everyone has been silently sold the idea that because we can speak, or write, or sing, or make a thousand ten second cat videos, then we should - because the technology is there. No one is encouraged to weigh their contribution to the media bonfire against the often better serving silence - because the tech intermediaries make more and more money exploiting the noise. But spiritually, this is the death of true creativity which comes from the still spaces within and isn’t about being noticed. Does this resonate?
It resonates most profoundly. Thank you. I couldn't agree more. There is another sense of "attention" that needs to be discussed, however: the attention needed to enter into the spiritual silence you mention. This is the kind of attention, or "seeing," that Josef Pieper talks about in his wonderful essay, "Learning How to See Again." I will no doubt write on this theme.
Oh yes, totally - attention as a relational and transformative gift rather than something grasping and narcissistic. Look forward to further unpacking and good to talk, Daniel.