In a Time of Information Overload, Naomi Alderman Offers a Beacon of Hope.
Naomi Alderman has penned a thought-provoking book that urges readers to take heed of the current information crisis, which she terms 'the Information Crisis'. This era marks the third in human history, following the advent of writing and the printing press. Writing ushered in the Axial Age, characterized by pivotal thinkers such as Laozi, Buddha, and Zoroaster. The printing press brought about significant social upheaval during the Reformation.
Alderman's book is a speculative historical project that draws parallels between past crises and our current predicament. By studying the works of Walter Ong and Elizabeth Eisenstein, she explores how literacy and writing affected societal norms. Ong observed that oral cultures were more conservative due to the time spent memorizing information, whereas literate societies fostered more complex thought.
Similarly, the internet is transforming us, with its ease of group thinking, vast amounts of information, and democratization of publishing and broadcasting. However, this has led to "disintermediation" and undermined traditional institutions that acted as gatekeepers to truth, such as broadcasters like the BBC and public libraries.
Alderman astutely notes the psychological effects of digital media, often with double-edged consequences. The internet's anonymity allows for deeper connections among individuals, yet also fosters forgetfulness of human emotions. She cautions us against the perils of losing sight of the person behind an online persona.
As technology continues to evolve at breakneck speeds, Alderman remains optimistic about our collective future. She posits that we're leveraging our minds in ways they never were meant to, bringing both benefits and challenges. Despite the pain and anxiety it can evoke, she writes, "every time we end by seeing each other more clearly".
Naomi Alderman has penned a thought-provoking book that urges readers to take heed of the current information crisis, which she terms 'the Information Crisis'. This era marks the third in human history, following the advent of writing and the printing press. Writing ushered in the Axial Age, characterized by pivotal thinkers such as Laozi, Buddha, and Zoroaster. The printing press brought about significant social upheaval during the Reformation.
Alderman's book is a speculative historical project that draws parallels between past crises and our current predicament. By studying the works of Walter Ong and Elizabeth Eisenstein, she explores how literacy and writing affected societal norms. Ong observed that oral cultures were more conservative due to the time spent memorizing information, whereas literate societies fostered more complex thought.
Similarly, the internet is transforming us, with its ease of group thinking, vast amounts of information, and democratization of publishing and broadcasting. However, this has led to "disintermediation" and undermined traditional institutions that acted as gatekeepers to truth, such as broadcasters like the BBC and public libraries.
Alderman astutely notes the psychological effects of digital media, often with double-edged consequences. The internet's anonymity allows for deeper connections among individuals, yet also fosters forgetfulness of human emotions. She cautions us against the perils of losing sight of the person behind an online persona.
As technology continues to evolve at breakneck speeds, Alderman remains optimistic about our collective future. She posits that we're leveraging our minds in ways they never were meant to, bringing both benefits and challenges. Despite the pain and anxiety it can evoke, she writes, "every time we end by seeing each other more clearly".
. It's wild to think that writing and printing were game changers in their time, and now the internet is having a similar impact on our collective psyche. I mean, we're basically trading our memories for likes and shares 
. But at the same time, it's crazy to think about how much more connected we are with each other online. It's like, we can form these deep bonds without even laying eyes on someone 
. Alderman's right, we're leveraging our minds in ways that are hard to wrap your head around 
. It's both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time 
.
. As a parent, I'm constantly worried about my kids getting overwhelmed with too much stuff online 
. And you know what really gets me? The way social media can make us all feel more connected, but also kinda isolated from each other 
. My kid will be scrolling through Instagram, and then suddenly they're all like "I'm feeling so anxious because I don't know how to deal with this" 
. It's like, okay kiddo, take a breath! You can do that 
. But seriously, Naomi Alderman is right on the money about us needing to be more mindful of our digital habits 
.
! Her historical analysis on how writing and literacy impacted society is really interesting 
. I'm loving her perspective on the internet and its effects on us 
... it's eye-opening to think about the psychological impacts of digital media on our emotions 
. Alderman's optimism about human connection in a virtual world is inspiring 
- hope we can all take heed of her words and find balance amidst all this digital chaos 
I'm not buying it. What about all the people who lost their jobs at traditional institutions? That sounds like more anxiety and pain to me.
. Naomi Alderman makes some solid points, imo. like, have you ever noticed how easy it is to get sucked into online echo chambers and forget that there are actual human beings behind those screens? 
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." 
- Eleanor Roosevelt