All I can say is, be very careful what you wish for. Beware the Law of Unintended Consequences. If you think our collective action problems are bad, just wait until you see our collective action solutions.
Jonathan, your two-year outcome plan contains some of the most hopeful and essential changes that I have come across! Chapter 8 on "spiritual elevation" will be fundamental in effecting a lasting transformation that does not merely focus on reshaping our relationship with technology, but offers an avenue of hope to rehumanizing us. I will be sure to feature your "The Anxious Generation" on School of the Unconformed, whose readership will be eager to help spread the word, as it mirrors many of the "scandalous proposals" that my husband Peco and I have been writing about. Thanks for your tremendous work!
It goes without saying that children should not be using phones under any circumstances, and probably adults as well. I've never owned a smart phone. I use a laptop for everything, and have an old mobile phone (from around 2008) for emergencies.
You’re missing their diet, as crazy or more on their biochemistry as all other factors and through public schools processed lunch and non-stop snacking I personally think it may be the actually problem beneath all others as to why they cannot seem to fix any of their problems
Dear Jonathan, thanks for your excellent research and for making it available in simple language to laypersons like me. I have taught undergraduate law students in India for two terms and many of your observations in the context of western countries resonated with me. I was surprised to see that some of my students would 'heart' my tweets often but ignore me completely in person. My boss, who has been teaching law for twenty years now, says he has noticed a similar change over the generation of students. I think it might be helpful to collect some anecdotal data from University professors as well.
Generally, a loss of agency occurs when interactions occur with current machines. It is the difference between dealing with a human editor and a machine that does spell and grammar check. A discussion can occur with the human and some control remains in the dialogue. Forms are the culmination of loss of agency, and usually cause anxiety. I know this is somewhat unrelated to the use of social media you comment on, but I think that loss of agency it is a general characteristic of machine interactions, and its severity can be exacerbated when there are commerail interests at play, e.g. why not coerce in some profitable directions. A good article on this phenomenon can be found here:
As a mom to 2 elementary aged kiddos I am REALLY looking forward to reading your seminal work. Trying to get a book club going with some other school moms, will there be a guide that eventually comes with it?
Looking forward to reading your book when it comes out. In teaching, I have seen that most schools are already phone-free...in theory. One school I used to work in went so far as to spend 20k on pouches so kids could keep their phones but not access them during the day. It didn’t work.
Fundamentally, the phones in schools thing is a question of discipline, not policy. Teachers are told to use “positive reinforcement” for these issues -- it isn’t working. Hopefully, the fundamental changes in attitude occur for some semblance of order to return to education, but I’m not holding my breath.
Can I preorder on Audibles? Even if I can’t I hope you put it in Audiobook format quickly after publishing. I find I retain much more by consuming most books that way....and I especially love when authors read/record their own books. It just makes it very personal & connects all the wires in my brain bc I hear you on interviews, read your Substack, and read/listen to your books - I like the full-circle impact that comes from digesting that way ☺️🙏🏼
Thank you for your work Jonathan, it’s important
All I can say is, be very careful what you wish for. Beware the Law of Unintended Consequences. If you think our collective action problems are bad, just wait until you see our collective action solutions.
Congratulations and heartfelt thanks. Pre-ordering today!
Jonathan, your two-year outcome plan contains some of the most hopeful and essential changes that I have come across! Chapter 8 on "spiritual elevation" will be fundamental in effecting a lasting transformation that does not merely focus on reshaping our relationship with technology, but offers an avenue of hope to rehumanizing us. I will be sure to feature your "The Anxious Generation" on School of the Unconformed, whose readership will be eager to help spread the word, as it mirrors many of the "scandalous proposals" that my husband Peco and I have been writing about. Thanks for your tremendous work!
Can't wait 🥳🥳
It goes without saying that children should not be using phones under any circumstances, and probably adults as well. I've never owned a smart phone. I use a laptop for everything, and have an old mobile phone (from around 2008) for emergencies.
You’re missing their diet, as crazy or more on their biochemistry as all other factors and through public schools processed lunch and non-stop snacking I personally think it may be the actually problem beneath all others as to why they cannot seem to fix any of their problems
Dear Jonathan, thanks for your excellent research and for making it available in simple language to laypersons like me. I have taught undergraduate law students in India for two terms and many of your observations in the context of western countries resonated with me. I was surprised to see that some of my students would 'heart' my tweets often but ignore me completely in person. My boss, who has been teaching law for twenty years now, says he has noticed a similar change over the generation of students. I think it might be helpful to collect some anecdotal data from University professors as well.
Looking forward to your book!
Generally, a loss of agency occurs when interactions occur with current machines. It is the difference between dealing with a human editor and a machine that does spell and grammar check. A discussion can occur with the human and some control remains in the dialogue. Forms are the culmination of loss of agency, and usually cause anxiety. I know this is somewhat unrelated to the use of social media you comment on, but I think that loss of agency it is a general characteristic of machine interactions, and its severity can be exacerbated when there are commerail interests at play, e.g. why not coerce in some profitable directions. A good article on this phenomenon can be found here:
https://hedgehoglibrarian.com/2023/08/14/executive-function-theft/
I am excited to read this, but I was also excited for how an 'After Babel' book was originally billed and hope we eventually get that.
As a mom to 2 elementary aged kiddos I am REALLY looking forward to reading your seminal work. Trying to get a book club going with some other school moms, will there be a guide that eventually comes with it?
Looking forward to reading your book when it comes out. In teaching, I have seen that most schools are already phone-free...in theory. One school I used to work in went so far as to spend 20k on pouches so kids could keep their phones but not access them during the day. It didn’t work.
Fundamentally, the phones in schools thing is a question of discipline, not policy. Teachers are told to use “positive reinforcement” for these issues -- it isn’t working. Hopefully, the fundamental changes in attitude occur for some semblance of order to return to education, but I’m not holding my breath.
Can I preorder on Audibles? Even if I can’t I hope you put it in Audiobook format quickly after publishing. I find I retain much more by consuming most books that way....and I especially love when authors read/record their own books. It just makes it very personal & connects all the wires in my brain bc I hear you on interviews, read your Substack, and read/listen to your books - I like the full-circle impact that comes from digesting that way ☺️🙏🏼
Definitely going to read this when it comes out. Is the 26th March date just for the US or is it releasing everywhere on the same day?
Can't wait.
I am so looking forward to this. Coddling was a very important read for me, which really helped inform how I raise my own daughter.
Here's some further observations I have made as a Mum & someone who has worked with kids for years.
https://genxanecdotes.substack.com/p/this-is-mental?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1rnqlr