Episode 58: Tim talks about his addiction to technology and his problems as a gullible man. His fears were only heightened after watching The Social Dilemma on Netflix, starring Tristan Harris and the Center for Humane Technology.
The article Tim referenced regarding mental downtime can be read at https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mental-downtime/.
Then, a tour trolley tour guide leads us through the town of Conpamtaplople, a town where the citizens have given up technology with the hopes of rediscovering their compassionate humanity.
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Excuse me, sir, sir, do not wave to the locals or take pictures of them. You will only make matters worse for them on their journey. Yes, sir, I realize they’re pleading for you to take their picture, yes, I can hear their begging, but you must ignore them, yes, even as they rattle the trolly.
Yes, madam, of course I realize that people are not only pushing against the side of my tour trolly. Yes, of course I’ve seen people throwing themselves in front of my tour trolly. Why do you think there is such a large protective grate on the front of this vehicle? Do you think this is the first tour trolly tour I’ve given? DO YOU THINK I AM AN UTTER AND COMPLETE NOVICE?! That isn’t even the first person this tour. Conpamtaplople has no speed bumps. Every jostle you’ve felt thus far has been the body of someone who has voluntarily thrown themselves before our trolly. No, they’re not trying to kill themselves, madam, calm down. They’re just trying to maim themselves so they have something to complain about.
Oh come on, don’t act all surprised. You must have noticed that everyone here, outside of those on the tour trolly of course, walks with a limp or is missing a limb or carries a collection of bruises of varying color. Those are not accidents. You see, one thing that the founders of Conpamtaplople failed to grasp was the extend that people had grown addicted to the abuse they received online. When their phones and computers and tablets and robots and smart televisions and intelligent printers and philosophical microwaves were taken away, there was nothing to be upset about, there was not nearly so much to complain about. So the newly arrived citizens of Conpamtaplople needed to find reasons for themselves.
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If you enjoy westerns like True Grit or The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, check out Tim’s western novel, Dust, available on Amazon in eBook form in addition to being read on the podcast.
For other resources, visit timdrugan.com.