This is so fun! Very much a return to the past. I do leave my phone in a drawer all day while I work because I want to be connected to my life. But there are still parts of it I want to keep (like being able to send you this comment about your work!). I wonder if there is a middle ground?
Certainly a middle ground. I don't use my phone for much beyond texting but I use my laptop and desktop A LOT. Since finding SubStack I read much more on screen than I used to. I still prefer physical books but so much great writing (and video and podcasts) is online it seems a shame to disconnect completely. As well unfeasible in the current zeitgeist.
“When an unexpected solar flair irreversibly destroyed all electronics on the planet, a new natural socialist utopia was born. I talk with my grandpa about what life before the blackout was like. We compare notes, drink bitter tea, and then my life is changed forever.”
Jap, I went of script again, but this time I kept it short. I think my thoughts on the importance of technology for any utopia are evident from the story of what happens when there is none.
HA! His is one of my favorite blogs ever, but only because the pictures he uses to show that he is de-aging actually show that he is very obviously aging and it unhinges me for some reason. I did write an article about him (and his contemporaries) though that might interest you: https://www.utahbusiness.com/life-extension-companies-in-utah/
I know, I'm also watching this with a dose of schadenfreude. Yesterday I met the sister of a friend, the sister works as a university researcher in the field of biochemistry, DNA sequencing. I told her about Bryan Johnson and his quest for eternal life. She told me that it's impossible to lie forever because our longevity is dictated by the length of the telomere in our DNA. And every time our DNA replicates the telomere is shortened. And you cannot reverse this. Once we're out telomere we're done. Go figure that. I wonder if Bryan Johnson knows this. 🤣
He writes a lot about telomere's (some think you can not get to the end of it....) But I have no doubt that he will die at a perfectly normal age haha.
Well, that was a scientist specialised in sequencing DNA. I think that she knew a thing or two about telomere. But Bryan Johnson can keep on dreaming. I'll read what he writes about it though.
Hi Elle. I've coincidentally just written a 2 part series on technology innovation and creative ideation. My writers' guide watchwords on this topic are: 'Feasible, plausible, useful - but not necessarily comprehensible.'
I'm not "anti-tech." However, I am "anti-AI used to steal writers' (and actors', and photographers', and artists', and other creators') intellectual property. In this regard, there is no middle ground.
I hope that in the future tech continues to make space for us to do the things that make us happy (as opposed to just enabling us to more efficiently do things we don’t enjoy). For example, that it helps us connect with those we care about and have time to do so, instead of making spreadsheets accessible from the bathtub or something.
Sustainability, as you’ve been exploring, is also important - both in terms of the materials and also across our lives. How can we get to a place where tech enables our authentic lives?
Thanks for the prompt. The stories shared here have been fun reads and well varied in style.
I present my own experiment with the prompt, a slice-of-life view of a tech-less world:
https://reddoscarwrites.substack.com/p/technology-as-historical-oddity
This is so fun! Very much a return to the past. I do leave my phone in a drawer all day while I work because I want to be connected to my life. But there are still parts of it I want to keep (like being able to send you this comment about your work!). I wonder if there is a middle ground?
Certainly a middle ground. I don't use my phone for much beyond texting but I use my laptop and desktop A LOT. Since finding SubStack I read much more on screen than I used to. I still prefer physical books but so much great writing (and video and podcasts) is online it seems a shame to disconnect completely. As well unfeasible in the current zeitgeist.
Absolutely!!! But your post really got me thinking about that so thank you!
This prompt was a good excuse to finish a story I started months ago. I love this idea.
Here's my contribution:
https://callmeamicus.substack.com/p/eimf0011-surveillance-to-sovereignty
Summary:
An Oral interview in the style of Max Brook's World War Z about The Digital Freedom Movement
Thank you so much for sharing! Excited to read!
Well, I fell for the trap again! :D
Here's my contribution to your writing prompt:
https://zediction.substack.com/p/technology-free-utopia-of-the-future
Summary:
“When an unexpected solar flair irreversibly destroyed all electronics on the planet, a new natural socialist utopia was born. I talk with my grandpa about what life before the blackout was like. We compare notes, drink bitter tea, and then my life is changed forever.”
Jap, I went of script again, but this time I kept it short. I think my thoughts on the importance of technology for any utopia are evident from the story of what happens when there is none.
A good observation. In our SolarPunk Stories Manifesto we say "Yes to Tech, No to Technocracy" https://www.solarpunkstories.com/our-manifesto
Wellll... Thank you for this prompt, which eh, prompted me to finally start a Substack. Here is my first post ...
https://open.substack.com/pub/speclectic/p/speclectic?r=6c197&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
WELCOME!!!!! And what an interesting start!!!!!!!
Speaking of death and tech and utopia—would love to read your take on the philosophies of Bryan Johnson.
HA! His is one of my favorite blogs ever, but only because the pictures he uses to show that he is de-aging actually show that he is very obviously aging and it unhinges me for some reason. I did write an article about him (and his contemporaries) though that might interest you: https://www.utahbusiness.com/life-extension-companies-in-utah/
I know, I'm also watching this with a dose of schadenfreude. Yesterday I met the sister of a friend, the sister works as a university researcher in the field of biochemistry, DNA sequencing. I told her about Bryan Johnson and his quest for eternal life. She told me that it's impossible to lie forever because our longevity is dictated by the length of the telomere in our DNA. And every time our DNA replicates the telomere is shortened. And you cannot reverse this. Once we're out telomere we're done. Go figure that. I wonder if Bryan Johnson knows this. 🤣
He writes a lot about telomere's (some think you can not get to the end of it....) But I have no doubt that he will die at a perfectly normal age haha.
Well, that was a scientist specialised in sequencing DNA. I think that she knew a thing or two about telomere. But Bryan Johnson can keep on dreaming. I'll read what he writes about it though.
Oh wow!! Haha how did I miss this from you? I’m such a fan, I’ll admit. I love his big vision. Going to read this now! Thank you.
Hi Elle. I've coincidentally just written a 2 part series on technology innovation and creative ideation. My writers' guide watchwords on this topic are: 'Feasible, plausible, useful - but not necessarily comprehensible.'
Hot off the Substack press, I wrote a short (short) story, 'Legacy Mode', as an accompanying example for the series: https://reiditwrite.substack.com/i/137476365/legacy-mode
Oh amazing!!!!!! Thanks for sharing this!
I'm not "anti-tech." However, I am "anti-AI used to steal writers' (and actors', and photographers', and artists', and other creators') intellectual property. In this regard, there is no middle ground.
Technology will be like furniture: adaptable, utilitarian, classy, renwable
I hope that in the future tech continues to make space for us to do the things that make us happy (as opposed to just enabling us to more efficiently do things we don’t enjoy). For example, that it helps us connect with those we care about and have time to do so, instead of making spreadsheets accessible from the bathtub or something.
Sustainability, as you’ve been exploring, is also important - both in terms of the materials and also across our lives. How can we get to a place where tech enables our authentic lives?
Oh please do!