We’re living in what they call the “Information Age,” but life only seems to be making less sense. We’re isolated, listless, burnt out on screens, cutting loved ones out like tumors in the spirit of “boundaries,” failing to understand other people’s choices or even our own. The machine is malfunctioning, and we’re trying to think our way out of it. In 1961, Marxist philosopher Frantz Fanon wrote, “Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it.” Our mission, it seems, has to do with the mind.
— Amanda Montell, The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality (Atria/One Signal Publishers, April 9, 2024)
Notes:
- Book Review from the Washington Post: ‘The Age of Magical Overthinking’ tries to pinpoint our mental health crisis.”
- Post Inspired by: “Directors and writers now have nothing to push against because there are no rules or cultural prohibitions, so there’s no friction, everything is left cold, and the art turns in on itself and becomes merely weird… Why does it all bother me? Because even though it isn’t new, uglification is rising and spreading as an artistic attitude, and it can’t be good for us. Because it speaks of self-hatred, and a society that hates itself, and hates life, won’t last. Because it gives those who are young nothing to love and feel soft about. Because we need beauty to keep our morale up. Because life isn’t merde, in spite of what our entertainment geniuses say.” — Peggy Noonan, “The Uglification of Everything Artistic culture has taken a repulsive turn. It speaks of a society that hates itself, and hates life.” (Wall Street Journal, April 25, 2024)
Live & Learn 
Oh Dave, all the intellectually challenging stuff you read! Had to read this short sequence twice, trying to get it – ok, I did get it but with all this knowledge I wonder, where‘s the pure, simple joie de vivre fell through the cracks.
When I read, I do it for enjoyment, my days of labouring through lecture because I ‚need to learn more‘ or whatever, are over. I‘m glad that‘s so.
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Good for you Kiki!! 🙂
Life is short. Use it wisely!
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Beautifully stated Kiki: “but with all this knowledge I wonder, where‘s the pure, simple joie de vivre fell through the cracks”
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we have to outthink our minds and outside distractions. our greatest challenge. we have met the enemy and it is…
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This really hits home, because this is how I feel… Far too often.
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Me too Paul. Me too….
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“Ultimately, we’re left with the sense that Montell’s crisis of the mind begins and ends with the vague feelings of anxiety and dread many people feel after scrolling on social media apps” Tatum Hunter
Such an immense struggle for myself, as a parent and as a teacher… to find the balance of the positives and negatives of social media. When you stand back, you know that people post and share the “good stuff”, but still find yourself in the loop of comparison. This awareness is more accessible for a 42 year old brain…. not the teenager (or in some cases even younger) brains, who lack the cognitive acuity to comprehend the many facets of social media.
Another great read. Thank you DK.
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Thanks Cara. Lot to digest there…
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Wow ! feels like I am reading what I always feel !and the thoughts that occupies my mind all the times .Thank you , just to let you know Dave I take a lot of recommendations of books from you ,read it ,and share it with my like minded friends . Have a good day !
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Thank you for letting me know! Appreciate you!
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Oof. Yes. Wake up call, indeed…
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Oof. Love that Laila!
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I’ve often wondered where I’d be without Peggy Noonan’s verbal leavening!
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She’s so good!
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Overthinking and overwriting. Words are cheap. And it sells. I’ll go back to watching Netflix.
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Love Netflix!
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Your post makes me think of the opposite. For example .E.F. Schumacher said famously that ‘humanity is becoming too clever to survive without wisdom.’ Small is beautiful 1973 book.
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E.F. Schumacher is right!
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I feel like it’s all a choice. The how and the why are a choice.
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And that it is…
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