The End of An Era
You only know how much freedom you have when you recognize the limits of your freedom
Yes, everything good must come to an end. This is how I feel about the three essays I will be referring to in today's Map.
As an essayist, your best job is merely a trial. And I think I have done my best; at least for now.
I have done my best to convey my thoughts about how we relate to technology either as toys – no matter their consequences– or as matters of expediency. I did so over three essays: Selah, Seneca's Toy, and Axiomatic Technology. Although written apart, the same theme strings them together; the theme: is "have or need."
And so, that burden is lifted off my chest. At least, the burden is out there now. It is time to move on to the next thing that captures my attention and that I think is worth my time writing.
Nevertheless, here are the three essays.
Selah
You only know how much freedom you have when you recognize the limits of your freedom. Sadly enough, we don't always recognize the limits of our freedom.
Selah means "pause and think." Pause and think.
When I talk with people, I tell them I don't have taboos when it comes to conversations. This frightens them. Simply because they are scared of getting sucked in by the slipperiness of a taboo. But here is the trick: I know where the line is written in the sand. It never shifts. Even when we cross that line, it doesn't disappear. And I am always confident that I can find my way back. I am free because I know where my constraints lie.
You are only free when you know where your constraints lie. Therefore reader, pause and think. Find the line.
Seneca's Toys
If you read Selah, I hope you don't find Seneca's Toy strange. If you did, then I apologize for writing so poorly. I will improve.
With this mental model, I discovered a relationship between human behavior, knowledge/ideas, and technology. If you consider ideas to be a primitive kind of technology, then you will easily see the connection. The connection: human beings use knowledge and technology because they have them more than because they need them. Very simple.
In all these, man is the string that ties everything together. In that, man is blessed.
Axiomatic Technologies
Finally, if you use something so much, it becomes familiar. So familiar that it blends into the background as if it was never there. At that point, it is most effective. Fortunately, much of our modern-day tech feels that way. As if they have been integrated as body parts or as parts of our consciousness.
Do you want to tackle this? Then go back to Selah. Wake up from your technological slumber.
Do you think life is boring without your smartphone? Recover excitement in the natural world about you.
Does a paternity test prove compassion? Recover wisdom.
If you have lost anything to Axiomatic Technologies, recover them this week.
Thank you for reading.
Here is your picture for the week:
Have a contemplative week.