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How to Leave an Internet That’s Always in Crisis
the internet used to be a place! Or at least it was for me. I love how the internet exposes the weird and funny things about being a person alive in the world.
The Atlantic • How to Leave an Internet That’s Always in Crisis
I do think the internet used to be a lot weirder. Certainly more specific. It used to be a place you’d go for a specific interest. Now it is just the context of life and the way you communicate.
The Atlantic • How to Leave an Internet That’s Always in Crisis
I’d let those likes be an evaluation of the time I spent on the experience I just lived.
The Atlantic • How to Leave an Internet That’s Always in Crisis
I just don’t think people have adapted to being in touch with so many humans at every moment and getting this much information. Now, I imagine people will adapt. But we are in this generation where it wasn’t like this fully when we were growing up.
The Atlantic • How to Leave an Internet That’s Always in Crisis
it doesn’t feel done until I put it on my Instagram. I’ll make this thing from scratch and have this wonderful, meditative experience doing it, but if I don’t share it with this feed, part of my brain will think, What is the point? It’s so bad and dumb.
The Atlantic • How to Leave an Internet That’s Always in Crisis
there are a lot of people obviously who are not super-online but are active in their corners. I’m hoping to find those corners.
The Atlantic • How to Leave an Internet That’s Always in Crisis
It makes me feel ancient to say this, but I see a lot of much younger people engage with some of my writing about technology, and they’re like, “Stop overthinking it, man. We’re all just online. That’s life!” And they are right, and I am overthinking it. But our experiences are different!
The Atlantic • How to Leave an Internet That’s Always in Crisis
Even when there’s not big news about an election or a war or a pandemic, there’s always something. There will rarely be a day where there is no emergency on Twitter, because there are emergencies everywhere in the world. And it’s tough to live in a place that’s always in a state of emergency.
The Atlantic • How to Leave an Internet That’s Always in Crisis
With Twitter especially, like during COVID, it was my attachment to society and community. But Twitter really flattens everything. Like, a tweet from a real, expert doctor about a COVID study would come after a tweet from somebody who doesn’t know anything and was making a glib joke about COVID case rates. Now, I can tell myself rationally that one... See more