Globalization

Heheh.
 
That's the postmodern mind for you. Its only use for history is what it can use for politics. It has no idea what it has lost and when it arrives as wisdom, it thinks it has brought forth a new thing into the world, instead of refinding wisdom that human beings acquired through pain and error over the course of millennia. T
I have been socialized to red flag the word "historically", since it is now usually prefaces some conflict theory/et al nonsense :lol:
 
Japanese cities are quite walkable, or so I have heard

Urban landscapes do not have to be hostile towards pedestrians. I've lived in several places and have noticed the differences, even just within the same city.

As for why hikikomori is a Japanese phenomenon, seems to be more of a cultural thing but IMHO Japan is just at the cutting edge of a phenomenon that affects wealthy, industrialised societies in general.
Then I wouldn't chalk it up to any more than youngsters being rebellious against the hustle and bustle of urban life. And just give them room. The US has had hobos, and the Lost Generation, hippies, and so on; so if they're not hurting anyone who cares...
Similar to how China was in some existential panic over the "lying down" culture or whatever they call it. (they still might be).
Me, I'd like to be able to get away from cities entirely every once in a while, but I'm pretty fortunate as an American to be able do that. Unfortunately you DO need a car here.
 
My question to you regarding the first paragraph would be if you feel she is "risk averse"?
I think most people are risk averse. There are a lot of complicated things going on with her (many of which I'm sure I don't know about as her mom keeps me in complete blackout) but regarding the school I think it's simple math, she dosn't like school (most kids don't) therefore if she option not to go she'll take it.

Again, in her shoes I would've done the same, frankly I did do the same, I dropped out of school @ 14, difference is there was no virtual school back then.

I am more interested in her view of "sea of distractions" (as this may be a projection) PM me if you don't want to talk publicly.
This is my view not hers. She views her obsessions as merely 'interests'. How she actually views them I don't know, I think she's aware they are emotional armor, an escape & something safe to obsess about. It could be worse, she could be into boys or opiates or pop stars or cosmetic surgery.

I really have very little idea about her inner world as anytime I ask she deflects talking about five nights @ fredys or something similar. Unfortunately I find most of her interests painfully boring & get worse over time.

Me, I'd like to be able to get away from cities entirely every once in a while, but I'm pretty fortunate as an American to be able do that. Unfortunately you DO need a car here.
Where there's a will there's a way, can carpool, figure out train & bus routes. It's not easy but it's possible. I lost my drivers license in a very unfair way & in protest I didn't pay my fines & lost my license (as Sonny Curtis noted, the law usually wins in the end & I had to pay more in the end to get my license back) and I managed to get around via bike, trains, buses, etc for a few years. It's not easy and in most places not convenient or pleasant but it is possible.

In Florida I had scooters for four years, no need to pay insurance, just try not to die, not good for transporting much stuff or young kids or wifey or whatever but good for one person in a non-freezing climate.
 
I'm with @Gorbles on this is part alienation and part cyclical.

But there is a difference in scale. First in terms of intensity of the phenomenon. Before, people were indeed criticized for losing themselves in books (read Don Quixote...), in TV or other stuff. But they needed to go out. Real shut-ins were few, only the depressed and the sick/moribund. And many of those had extended close families. Those who didn't snap out of it didn't last long if really isolated.

And then in terms of extent of the phenomenon. The world had never been so urbanized. And peopel so economically alienated, as in handling eberything in their lives in terms of economic transactios, bying all their needs. They used to have to do stuff because there was no one providing it as a service.

I'm worried.
This is, I think, the single biggest problem inherent with modernity and the trajectory of civilization, for an individual's health and welfare.

I just got back from 3 months in Central America. Everything people do there takes work, effort, coordination, problem solving, etc. I was explaining to my partner how different it is to have that necesity to keep you constantly moving, thinking, problem solving. So it's tiring and uncomfortable, but it's exercise and stimulating and healthy.

The challenge here in the USA/etc is when the impetus to literally move is gone, depression inherently takes its place. To counteract this requires motivation through your prefrontal cortex in the form of goals and will to power.

It's no wonder there's an adderall shortage.
 
I think humans will continue to adapt and integrate technology.

I think this is an interesting article in general. I have a 10m old granddaughter about 120 miles away. During supper, my daughter video calls and we interact. She smiles, kisses and grabs at the phone. She even plays "peek a boo" by moving her head in and out of the frame when we do the same!

@Narz, terrible situation for your x to shut you out of your daughter's life. You seem to be in a powerless position. Have you had any communication with her (x)...does she see an issue? Would she be honest? I'll tell you one thing, if all the conversations with your daughter end up as "you have to....". she will likely avoid you..
 
This is, I think, the single biggest problem inherent with modernity and the trajectory of civilization, for an individual's health and welfare.

I just got back from 3 months in Central America. Everything people do there takes work, effort, coordination, problem solving, etc. I was explaining to my partner how different it is to have that necesity to keep you constantly moving, thinking, problem solving. So it's tiring and uncomfortable, but it's exercise and stimulating and healthy.

The challenge here in the USA/etc is when the impetus to literally move is gone, depression inherently takes its place. To counteract this requires motivation through your prefrontal cortex in the form of goals and will to power.

It's no wonder there's an adderall shortage.
Like planned obsolescence, it's planned impotence. I saw this Lex Friedman interview with Jeff Bezos, I'd never seen Bezos talk before so I thought I'd listen. Bezos was going on & on about the customer experience & making it as easy ("frictionless") as if he mission was all about the consumer. Humans love of the easy route is being taken advantage of. Again, not on a high-horse, I use Amazon as it's cheaper, easier & quicker than going to ten different other websites or shops.
 
@Narz, terrible situation for your x to shut you out of your daughter's life. You seem to be in a powerless position. Have you had any communication with her (x)...does she see an issue? Would she be honest? I'll tell you one thing, if all the conversations with your daughter end up as "you have to....". she will likely avoid you..
We text but it's mostly dried up on her end. I definitely don't tell her she "has to" do anything as it's ineffective (and also I always hated when anyone told me that). When I see her we spend like 95% of the time talking about whatever she wants to & I try to sprinkle in advice & personal questions here & there.

The problem on my end is also emotional detachment, when you lack power in a situation emotional detachment is an inevitable reaction.
 
This is, I think, the single biggest problem inherent with modernity and the trajectory of civilization, for an individual's health and welfare.

I just got back from 3 months in Central America. Everything people do there takes work, effort, coordination, problem solving, etc. I was explaining to my partner how different it is to have that necesity to keep you constantly moving, thinking, problem solving. So it's tiring and uncomfortable, but it's exercise and stimulating and healthy.

The challenge here in the USA/etc is when the impetus to literally move is gone, depression inherently takes its place. To counteract this requires motivation through your prefrontal cortex in the form of goals and will to power.

It's no wonder there's an adderall shortage.
Yup. And my guess is you will continue to see greater pushes towards working from home in the US which is advertised as a convenience but which, as you say, only worsens isolation. Its proponents will, of course, say that it reduces operating costs (ex. power) for companies and others, yet also necessitating more "on call" employment now that workers will always have their "work" computer at home. Electronic company towns.
 

This video is 12 years old, pre-smartphones, pre-covid.

I remember reading maybe 15 years ago about a trend in Japan called
hikikomori kids . Basically shut-ins withdrawn from society, now it seems almost the new normal.
My elder daughter is basically hikikomori. During coronatimes she did
virtual school for awhile & decided she liked it better. I can't say
I don't understand her reasoning, school is boring and the social
pressure is stressful. So she decided she'd prefer to attend virtual
school & her mom let her (her mother supposed to ask for my consent
regarding schooling, medical stuff, etc but that's just not her
style). Now she might go months without socialization, just
parasocial relationships. Her mom recently moved house (without
informing me). If I'd moved house at 15 it would've been a huge
change in my life, but for her it will probably barely be a blip, as
long as the computer comes along.

There's an ever expanding array of 'mental disorders' to try on
(please consult a mental health professional and/or tiktok) but it seems
few are organic (from some sort of genetic brain defect) and most
are simply attempts to handle profound systemic alienation.

With smartphones the idea of 'local' becomes ever more abstract. I'm
not on a high horse, when I goto the gym I have my own music on, most
of my day I'm listening to podcasts & lectures via headphones on what I'm interested
in not querying the townsfolk @ Tesco's for their opinions. I try to
be minimal in my consumption but I utilize Amazon & Costco when I can
to save money.

I haven't been on forums or social media for five months (save for
posting once on FB & have used FB marketplace) as an attempt to be
more present in my life but it's futile really, my social life is
basically nil outside my nuclear family & a four year old & one year
old clamoring for me to dress & undress their dolls in no match for
the wide array of intellectual 'nourishment' (like most modern
processes it nourishes in some ways while hunger remains) I can find
online. I do try to stay present with them as much as possible
obviously, likewise with their mum and I'm doing better but it would
be easier with a village (so we wouldn't have to lean so heavily on
just each other) & I don't have one.

If you got money you can buy community I guess or if you've stayed in
one place & been smart amount the way you've lived your life you
probably won't see things like I do but to me it feels very intense &
I see it in everything. Lately I've been trying to see it as a
natural cycle, we are in an extremely individualistic period in
history right now (we is parasitically exploited by the ruling class who
are also victim to it, when I look at the behavior of Elon Musk for
instance he appears to be a very lonely man despite immediate access
to sycophantic adoration @ a moment's notice).

I also try to keep in mind that I shouldn't idealize communal life.
In my adolescence I spent time @ a boarding school where I literally
didn't have a moment alone for two years, stuck with a lot of
malfunctioning miscreants day in & day out. I've stayed in
relationships & with friends for a sense of companionship & shared
mission that were mostly a fantasy in my head. So yeah, social isolation is better than a toxic social life.

In the political sphere (in US), people like Alex Jones rage against globalism while hawking overpriced
globalized products, Trump went on about America first & bringing back
manufacturing jobs while Biden told his donors nothing would fundamental
change if he was elected. Obviously there's populism on the left like
Sanders but it's more suppressed albeit more genuine.

Anyway, I'm all over the place as per usual, just wondering what the
'local' views 'here' are on globalization, the future of 'place' and
community autonomy in the modern world (feel free to comment on the
video as well if you like).
I watched the lecture. I read the post.

First, I sympathize with your feelings about family, community, and society. There is an increasing alienation from each other that is being exacerbated by an inundation of social media, largely transmitted through cell phones. I note that this has been going on far longer than you realize, smart phones started around 2003 or so and the PC in your pocket version really took off around 07' with the first iPhone. But the internet itself, and yes, forum posting jsut like this have long been refuge for the lost and alienated going back to the early 90s.

It is getting worse, but... There have been similar moments in the past and I think we are on the verge of another shift of importance. Random outbursts of violence, economic instability writ large (or in the US case economic stagnation since all the growth in the last 50 years has been hoarded by an increasing smaller percentage of the population), and alienation from even our local communities. These symptoms were pretty ubiquitous before the socialist wave (and their reactionary counterparts) of the 20th century. If you dig into Russia, Germany, the US, England, Spain, France. All of these areas are suffering similar discontent. Maybe I'm just reading into it you may say, but others of more scholarly import have noticed this as well. Whomever starts inroads on countering this feeling is going to have an inside line on shaping the next century... atm the right wing is more and more alienating having learned nothing from all the brutality of the 20th Century (this is not surprising, the blatantness of it is though). The liberal center is pedantic, sophomoric, and patronizing. all of which may be even more alienating in real terms. The Left wing is irrelevant across most of the planet atm. It will be interesting and I'm not very optimistic.

Second, the video is good. She is onto a thread of great importance about the stupidity of globalism when it comes to certain commodities. Food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, and education are top of the list of things that should not be globalized...especially to the extent we have done so in the past 40 years. Our global systems are massive and brittle. Our leaders are so foolhardy that even after having a massive shot across the bow of this Freighter of Stupidity (covid), they went right back to 0-day supply chains and importing palm oil from 10k miles away. They deserve to be purged.

I do think she is naive about the leadership moving us in the globalist direction. The economic summits are pretty straight forward about their intentions. The elite are pretty clear about their utter callousness towards "backwards" or "slow" populations. The fix for that problem is going to require blood. Right now, that blood is food for the problem to get worse (Palestine, India, Pakistan, Ukraine, Sudan, Yemen, Congo, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, and it goes on and on), but eventually, no matter which way the countermovement comes from, the blood will be from the globalists themselves. I think they know this which is why they fret over bunker building on remote islands. Pretty fudged up actually.

Finally, and I say this with all sincerity. The only solution to this is more left-wing type behavior. The right wing is exclusive on every level, from bedroom behavior to status behavior, the left is inclusive. It seems clear to anyone who reads and has even a modicum of empathy. You are never going to get people to stop shooting up schools when you keep telling them that society is evil or they are evil...

Good luck, I know I struggle with my three children, but I remind myself that I struggled too and now I'm pretty successful. . Looking back on it I was able to find my way pretty easily, hopefully it will be for my kids as well. Teenage years suck.
 
Yup. And my guess is you will continue to see greater pushes towards working from home in the US which is advertised as a convenience but which, as you say, only worsens isolation. Its proponents will, of course, say that it reduces operating costs (ex. power) for companies and others, yet also necessitating more "on call" employment now that workers will always have their "work" computer at home. Electronic company towns.
I thought I'd seen all the takes on anti-remote work. I didn't think I'd see one masquerading as anti-corp at a time that all corporations are trying to flat out kill remote working, but here we are.
 
15

I think her decision making skills are poor as she doesn't often have to make them and she protects herself from making them due to lack of confidence which is a vicious cycle

Again I understand being young and wanting to avoid social anxiety and avoid the pressure of having to worry about what adult life will entail and now kids are navigating the sea of distractions that is our modern world that didn't exist 30 years ago.
I’m about her age (I assume she’s also a freshman) and I think she should have her own
I think most people are risk averse. There are a lot of complicated things going on with her (many of which I'm sure I don't know about as her mom keeps me in complete blackout) but regarding the school I think it's simple math, she dosn't like school (most kids don't) therefore if she option not to go she'll take it.

Again, in her shoes I would've done the same, frankly I did do the same, I dropped out of school @ 14, difference is there was no virtual school back then.
For fracks sake, your ex left you. I’m sorry to say this, but get over her.
This is my view not hers. She views her obsessions as merely 'interests'. How she actually views them I don't know, I think she's aware they are emotional armor, an escape & something safe to obsess about. It could be worse, she could be into boys or opiates or pop stars or cosmetic surgery.

I really have very little idea about her inner world as anytime I ask she deflects talking about five nights @ fredys or something similar. Unfortunately I find most of her interests painfully boring & get worse over time.
She has her own right to what she wants to talk about too.
 
I think humans will continue to adapt and integrate technology.
Yes, and those technologies are called methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine ;)
 
Yup. And my guess is you will continue to see greater pushes towards working from home in the US which is advertised as a convenience but which, as you say, only worsens isolation. Its proponents will, of course, say that it reduces operating costs (ex. power) for companies and others, yet also necessitating more "on call" employment now that workers will always have their "work" computer at home. Electronic company towns.
Working from home is indeed wonderful and also carries this risk.

Right now companies are pushing back to office, which makes little economic sense to shareholders and to most employees. Hybrid is increasingly popular which is the best and worst of both worlds.

So then if it makes no economic sense but companies are doing it, why? And I think Moishe Postone’s iteration of Marx in describing that the domination of relations through labor time obligations is the point, not the byproduct.
 
I’m about her age (I assume she’s also a freshman) and I think she should have her own
Own what?

For fracks sake, your ex left you. I’m sorry to say this, but get over her.
I don't care about my ex I care about my conduct regarding our mutual child. This is not some teenage relationship where you fight and move on. If you have friends w divorced parents you can ask them about such things.

She has her own right to what she wants to talk about too.
People can talk about whatever they want but if you want people to like you you have to show interest in them and their world.

If a parent doesn't encourage their child to get out of limiting comfort zones they are negligent.

I watched this documentary about Bill Gates who was obviously a super genius as a kid but a bit antisocial but who's mom constantly forced him out into the world, into social gatherings to connect with both other kids and adults in the wider community. Without her I'm sure he still would've succeeded but nowhere near on the level he did.
 
Finally, and I say this with all sincerity. The only solution to this is more left-wing type behavior. The right wing is exclusive on every level, from bedroom behavior to status behavior, the left is inclusive.
What is the left? What is inclusive?

The left is in bed w corporate interests as much as the right. They'll give you a bit more benefit and pay lip service to your struggles and not be as openly bigoted.

Neither party has fundamentally altered inequality or environmental issues since well before I was born ('79).

It seems clear to anyone who reads and has even a modicum of empathy.
Empathy is great but impotent empathy (at best, often 'the left's' empathy comes across performative) is merely painful and it's understandable why people turn away from it.[/quote]

You are never going to get people to stop shooting up schools when you keep telling them that society is evil or they are evil...
You lost me here.
 
Real shut-ins were few, only the depressed and the sick/moribund. And many of those had extended close families. Those who didn't snap out of it didn't last long if really isolated.

They used to dispose of those people in asylums to kill em off faster. Experiment with them as well.

And they sort of still exist, at least I was almost interred inside a modern rendition of one.
 
They used to dispose of those people in asylums to kill em off faster. Experiment with them as well
They are still experimenting with them and now they can gather data from afar and manipulate them in real time and see the results.

You no longer need to lock people up to experiment, they voluntarily click the user agreements.
 
Conservative people are not exclusive at every level. They have an ingroup(s), same as everyone. Then they rate higher on loyalty and obligation to those people. And they still like to "get down." Of course.
 
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