The context element of this chapter is what jumped out for me, which you focus on in this week's newsletter as well along with other things. Context (or lack thereof) especially seemed important with this weekend's events and the bombing of Iran and the killing of the nation's tyrannical leader. Context is missing because the responses seemed to be conflated between either outrage, support (because he was a tyrannical and terrible), and sadness. All of these feelings make sense and are valid, but also deeper context and understanding of the history of Iran and imperialist actions that have affected the nation are also not present, not accessible, not part of the story, for the most part, and seem quite relevant and important. In this sense, the responses to these current events seem connected with the term of "amnesiac present" that was used in this reading.
I also found it your note, at the end of the newsletter, about privilege important and interesting too. I'd love to see more discussion around that.
My alarm bells also went off at the beginning of the chapter with the reference to the telling of a story being different for each audience and the "public" nature of social media and the internet perhaps taking that way, although, I also think social media has amplified that. My alarm bells were in response to a sort of nostalgia for a time when one could tell the story differently based on the audience. This is because of the ways the audience can influence the telling and can hide potentially dangerous aspects of a story. I do not want stories that heighten and celebrate sexism, homophobia, sexual violence, and racism in the shadows and in circles that celebrate those actions. I'm struggling to articulate with the best words what I want to say here, but the very opening of the chapter did make me feel unsettled.
The strength of the chapter for me lay in the reminder of the importance of thought and deliberation, from the ability to incubate space and time (and herein may be the privilege piece you are teasing out at the end). The work of resisting the attention economy must be connected to the work of resistance and liberation more broadly because under the weight of late-stage capitalism there may be many (likely are) seeking and wanting to incubate time and space, but unable to do so because of the requirements necessary to maintain shelter, food, clothing, etc.
Excellent points! I had some of the same thoughts about telling different stories to different people and the quest for authenticity (being your true self in most situations). I feel, as I am older, my "self" is less interested in attuning itself to others to comply or accommodate. However, I do think I can understand what she is saying about amplifying different parts of yourself/yourstory when you are with different people. I talk differently to my kids than to my students, than to job prospects, than to elderly folks. Maybe it is a bit of code switching? Nothing essential about me has changed, but my language is different.
And yes to all you said on context. We seem to have no time for it at all. Swipe to the next thing.
The context element of this chapter is what jumped out for me, which you focus on in this week's newsletter as well along with other things. Context (or lack thereof) especially seemed important with this weekend's events and the bombing of Iran and the killing of the nation's tyrannical leader. Context is missing because the responses seemed to be conflated between either outrage, support (because he was a tyrannical and terrible), and sadness. All of these feelings make sense and are valid, but also deeper context and understanding of the history of Iran and imperialist actions that have affected the nation are also not present, not accessible, not part of the story, for the most part, and seem quite relevant and important. In this sense, the responses to these current events seem connected with the term of "amnesiac present" that was used in this reading.
I also found it your note, at the end of the newsletter, about privilege important and interesting too. I'd love to see more discussion around that.
My alarm bells also went off at the beginning of the chapter with the reference to the telling of a story being different for each audience and the "public" nature of social media and the internet perhaps taking that way, although, I also think social media has amplified that. My alarm bells were in response to a sort of nostalgia for a time when one could tell the story differently based on the audience. This is because of the ways the audience can influence the telling and can hide potentially dangerous aspects of a story. I do not want stories that heighten and celebrate sexism, homophobia, sexual violence, and racism in the shadows and in circles that celebrate those actions. I'm struggling to articulate with the best words what I want to say here, but the very opening of the chapter did make me feel unsettled.
The strength of the chapter for me lay in the reminder of the importance of thought and deliberation, from the ability to incubate space and time (and herein may be the privilege piece you are teasing out at the end). The work of resisting the attention economy must be connected to the work of resistance and liberation more broadly because under the weight of late-stage capitalism there may be many (likely are) seeking and wanting to incubate time and space, but unable to do so because of the requirements necessary to maintain shelter, food, clothing, etc.
Excellent points! I had some of the same thoughts about telling different stories to different people and the quest for authenticity (being your true self in most situations). I feel, as I am older, my "self" is less interested in attuning itself to others to comply or accommodate. However, I do think I can understand what she is saying about amplifying different parts of yourself/yourstory when you are with different people. I talk differently to my kids than to my students, than to job prospects, than to elderly folks. Maybe it is a bit of code switching? Nothing essential about me has changed, but my language is different.
And yes to all you said on context. We seem to have no time for it at all. Swipe to the next thing.