A thrill that distracts. http://amzn.to/2iuS4FV
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The distracted thrill of new technology
Jaron Lanier warns about a thrill that distracts. New technology excites us. Each launch promises speed, convenience and novelty. That excitement is real and often deserved. However, it can pull attention away from important questions about cost, power and consequences.
Think about how quickly people adopt new apps. Within days, millions sign up, often without reading terms or considering trade-offs. The distracted thrill of discovery overrides careful thinking. Only later do concerns about privacy or addiction appear.
Enjoying technology without a distracted thrill
This does not mean rejecting innovation. Curiosity and enthusiasm drive progress. Instead, the goal is balance. Enjoy new tools, but pause to ask a few questions. Who benefits? What data is collected? How will this change my habits?
Businesses face the same temptation. Shiny trends attract budgets, even when they do not fit strategy. For example, companies rushed into the metaverse or certain AI features without clear use cases. Therefore, enthusiasm needs a business reason behind it.
On a personal level, novelty can distract from meaningful work. Constantly trying new productivity apps may feel productive while delaying real tasks. Moreover, frequent switching costs attention.
A simple rule helps: wait a short time before adopting new tools, unless there is a clear need. Often the excitement fades, revealing whether the tool truly matters.
Critical enthusiasm is a valuable skill. It combines openness with judgement.
In the end, Lanier reminds us that excitement is not evaluation. Enjoy the thrill, then think clearly about what it means.
In addition, reflect on past technology excitements. Which tools truly changed your life, and which faded quickly? That review teaches a lot about your own patterns. Consequently, you become better at predicting which new tools deserve attention, and you save time, money and focus for those that matter.
