3 Behaviors Lost Due to Industrialization? By allowing ourselves time for 1) boredom and reflection, 2) coming together to discuss solutions, and then 3) taking steps
then we can begin to address the injustices in our society more effectively."
This is by Franklin O'Kanu
"1. Think
Before industrialization, humans had time to think and be bored. However, with the advent of technology and entertainment, the modern human is always amused. In the 21st century, we simply don’t think as we used to.
The average American now has an attention span of just eight seconds, comparable to that of a goldfish. This startling comparison underscores how dramatically our cognitive habits have changed. This reduction in thinking time is due to the constant pull on our attention from devices and other distractions.
Our thoughts [and actions?] no longer stay in our heads; they are consistently externalized, leaving us with no time for internal reflection. We have no attention to give because it’s pulled everywhere. We no longer have boredom, but we need boredom because boredom is what allows us to think.
By reclaiming our ability to think and embracing occasional boredom, we can join the ranks of history’s great thinkers in the practice of simply thinking. This practice is not just about idle daydreaming but about deep, focused contemplation that can lead to innovative ideas and solutions to complex problems.
2. Gather
Modern humans — especially since [the riots and lockdowns of 2020 and onward] — have become less inclined to gather in large groups. The modern human never doesn’t gather around anymore. ...
This shift is not just temporary; it represents a fundamental change in how we interact as a society. We’ve become content with sitting in our homes, allowing life to happen within our four walls.
The comfort of isolation has become a new norm, with profound implications for our social fabric.
In the past, people would gather in bars, town squares, and lively city streets. This constant movement and interaction fostered civic responsibility as people were regularly outside, observing and engaging with their communities.
Civic responsibility was alive because people were outside, consistently working and seeing what was happening in their cities. The physical presence in shared spaces created a sense of collective ownership and responsibility for our communities.
To bring this back, we need to be mindful of the importance of gathering. When people start to gather, when people are bored, and when they have attention, they can see what’s happening in our society. This awareness is crucial for addressing problems and fostering community engagement.
By coming together physically, we create opportunities for spontaneous interactions and collective problem-solving that can’t be replicated in digital spaces.
3. Take Action
In earlier times, when a problem arose, it was often met with direct action. Examples include if taxes were raised, we’re going to war, and others include other revolutions just due to real action. These historical examples demonstrate how tangible issues were met with equally tangible responses.
Today, however, our concept of “action” has changed dramatically. Nowadays, we don’t take real action, period. Nowadays we tweet, nowadays we repost, restack or we comment — but no physical action. The digital age has created an illusion of engagement that often fails to translate into real-world change.
In the modern world, we often mistake digital engagement for real action. While these digital actions may create an illusion of involvement, they often fail to move the needle against real-world injustices. There’s no real world action being taken.
To effect genuine change, we need to combine the elements of thinking, gathering, and acting. By allowing ourselves time for boredom and reflection, coming together to discuss solutions, and then taking concrete steps to implement those solutions, we can begin to address the injustices in our society more effectively.
Real action requires more than just digital engagement; it demands physical presence, personal investment, and tangible efforts toward change."
Entire post can be found here
https://unorthodoxy.substack.com/p/3-human-behaviors-you-lost-due-to/comments