this is a really amazing technology column. read it. - 5 views

• 
  #1 Sophia Ellingson on 12 Jun 13

   

  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/09/opinion/sunday/how-not-to-be-alone.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&src=me
  
  woweow. I think is an important read for almost everyone - especially us, students as we are "the technology generation".
  
  I think we've all had those moments when we see someone we know but want to pretend like we don't and so we mindlessly flip through the pages of our iphone home screen to avoid what has now become an awkward and even painful face to face encounter.
  
  another thing that spoke to me was Simone Weil writings that "Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity." this is something that gets me everyday as I often find myself extremely annoyed when someone continues to text while I'm telling a story, and disappointed with myself if I ever do the same.
  
  do you agree with Jonathan Safran Foer's interpretations of how technology is causing us to elvolve?
  
  do you agree with the Simone Weil quote that "Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity." ?
  
  what would you have done if you were in his position with the crying girl (you don't have to write this but at least think about it honestly) ?
  
  honesty just reflect however you want, this article raises enough interesting questions as is

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/09/opinion/sunday/how-not-to-be-alone.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&src=me" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/09/opinion/sunday/how-not-to-be-alone.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&src=me</a> <br /> <br /> woweow. I think is an important read for almost everyone - especially us, students as we are "the technology generation". <br /> <br /> I think we've all had those moments when we see someone we know but want to pretend like we don't and so we mindlessly flip through the pages of our iphone home screen to avoid what has now become an awkward and even painful face to face encounter. <br /> <br /> another thing that spoke to me was Simone Weil writings that "Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity." this is something that gets me everyday as I often find myself extremely annoyed when someone continues to text while I'm telling a story, and disappointed with myself if I ever do the same. <br /> <br /> do you agree with Jonathan Safran Foer's interpretations of how technology is causing us to elvolve? <br /> <br /> do you agree with the Simone Weil quote that "Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity." ? <br /> <br /> what would you have done if you were in his position with the crying girl (you don't have to write this but at least think about it honestly) ? <br /> <br /> honesty just reflect however you want, this article raises enough interesting questions as is</div>

  ...

  Cancel
• 
  #2 Emma Boczek on 12 Jun 13

   

  Before reading this, I was very skeptical about the this-generation-is-falling-to-pieces, we're-becoming-emotionless-robots-who-tweet argument that seems to be so common. Now, I'm not so sure. I think this article was very strong. When the author included the quote you mentioned ("Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity") it really hammered home the point that no matter how many Facebook chats we can have going at once (Foer would argue superficially connected, but emotionally isolated), there really is nothing quite like sitting down and sharing an experience with another human being. It was previously easy for me to dismiss those who warned against the dangers of technology as old people fighting against progress, but I think that it is definitely worth considering which kinds of human interactions are valuable and which are not.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Before reading this, I was very skeptical about the this-generation-is-falling-to-pieces, we're-becoming-emotionless-robots-who-tweet argument that seems to be so common. Now, I'm not so sure. I think this article was very strong. When the author included the quote you mentioned ("Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity") it really hammered home the point that no matter how many Facebook chats we can have going at once (Foer would argue superficially connected, but emotionally isolated), there really is nothing quite like sitting down and sharing an experience with another human being. It was previously easy for me to dismiss those who warned against the dangers of technology as old people fighting against progress, but I think that it is definitely worth considering which kinds of human interactions are valuable and which are not.</div>

  ...

  Cancel

To Top