Shunning is a powerful tool, it is a sanction that society uses to maintain norms. But it’s an absolute tool, a final resort.
It’s possible to connect with people without endorsing their worst actions. In fact, the best way to undo negative actions may be to engage with people to persuade them that there’s a different way forward.
—Seth Godin, in ‘The shunning’
When narratives put forth in fake-news messages upheld values such as “Hindu power and superiority” and “preservation and revival,” then “validation of identity trumps verification of facts,” the study claimed.
—Quartz, in ‘In India, BJP supporters are more likely than others to share fake news’
Boredom, daydreaming, a good book, building in three dimensions, interactivity with other humans–these are precious skills, skills that are being denied kids that are simply given a plate of chicken fingers and a tablet instead.
—Seth Godin, in ‘The digital divide is being flipped’
I’ve long been a great believer in the value of boredom. My most creative, even productive years were when I was bored. Even today, more often than not, solutions and creativity come to me when I let myself be bored.
TV, social media, games and news are the enemy of boredom. I’ve removed 3 of them from my life in last few years, and my productivity has rocketed. When I leave this house, the fourth will go as well.
Mandela was prepared to break ranks with his fellow African leaders and condemn oppression. He did not indulge the ruinous culture of relativism and solidarity that had led to so many abuses in Africa passing unrebuked.
—Alec Russell, in ‘After Mandela‘
I love the term ‘Culture of relativism’. It’s a much better name for what’s come to be known as ‘whataboutery’ in the social media age.
Culture of relativism is also something that’s made a strong comeback in the era of social media empowered populism across the globe.
I never really got Facebook, so I was a Twitter guy, but since mid-2016 engaging with Twitter has simply made me anxious, upset, jangly, and distracted.
—Brad Feld in Relentlessly Turning Input Knobs To 0
I couldn’t have put my feelings about FB & TW more concisely.
Online, everybody else is always happy, good-looking and at a party.
I like the fact that way back then, we actually owned our own stepping stones, rather than letting someone else build the paths.
Let’s keep those ragged little paths alive.
Decent people share the hate-posts to expose them seemingly unconcerned that this is what the bigots want.
Be a qwitter (FT), December 24, 2017 at 10:24PM
Digitally savvy millennials in India post Stories on Instagram, share memes on Facebook, watch videos on YouTube, keep up on Twitter, and chat with each other on Facebook Messenger.
But older Indians have incorporated the most compelling features of these platforms right into WhatsApp.
Vacation pictures don’t go on Facebook or Instagram, videos don’t go on YouTube, and jokes and wisecracks don’t go on Twitter. For older Indians, WhatsApp is the ultimate social network.
Older Indians Drive Millennials Crazy On WhatsApp. This Is Why They’re Obsessed.
Answer to: Why my mom says, “Why do you post your photos on Instagram? Share them on Facebook or WhatsApp.”
It is easy to find a like-minded tribe. It is easy to share, retweet or “like” something we have not even read. It is easy to repeat false claims. It is easy to get angry or personal.
It’s less easy to distinguish truth from lies, to clear time and attention to read something deep, and to reward an important article with something more than a digital thumbs up.
The dangers of dark nudging, December 10, 2017 at 11:43AM
Use my marker 