I came across this thought-provoking piece in The Guardian today about techno-optimism, and it got me reflecting on the power of invitation and possibility. The world needs more hopeful, optimistic narratives about the potential of technology.
If we don't create them, we risk only seeing the visions from leaders like Musk, who sees empathy as a "weakness," or Zuck, who believes feminine energy "neutering the corporate world." Add to that dystopian sci-fi like Black Mirror, and it's easy to imagine a future we definitely don't want.
Of course it is important to pay attention to these, so we can figure out how to avoid the potential harms, but we also need to inspire positive alternatives. As great parenting advice goes: "Don't just tell them what NOT to do, tell them what they SHOULD do."
Let's use our imaginations and shape the future we want to see! ✨
While going through some old boxes I found this book from 1991. The "Over 500,000 copies sold" sticker reminded me that parents worrying about kids spending too much time on screens is nothing new!
Back then, there were no on-demand shows or personalization algorithms, and TV screens were stuck in just one room! But the struggle was real. The thousands of articles and books published since on how to set healthy boundaries for children's screentime is astounding, and such a strong signal about the addictive nature of most activities served up on our screens.
I'm not really a fan of talking about 'screen time' because digital spaces are just another environment, and it all depends on exactly what we do there. The nuance is essential. But the point is, this book was popular 33 years ago, we were already aware of the issue, and yet things have only gotten harder.
Yesterday evening I went out for a walk to find something more interesting than myself. As soon as I stepped out of the door, I looked up and found it.
At our best and most fortunate we make pictures because of what stands in front of the camera, to honor what is greater and more interesting than we are. We never accomplish this perfectly, though in return we are given something perfect – a sense of inclusion. Our subject thus redefines us, and is part of the biography by which we want to be known.
Amana Fontanella-Khan
