Slow Internet: an idea whose time has come?

Jinkers — I posted this a year ago. Now we’re a half-year into a global pandemic. I’d say we’ve pretty much run the clock on achieving full-stack socioergonomics.

"Just a little pinprick..."

We all have some mental health concerns at this point, don’t we? Mine revolve around the anxieties and stresses that come with being the parent of an adult child whose mental health challenges were only recently diagnosed. Collective pandemic response contributes some stressors in our case, but surprisingly few.

Part of my (touch wood) relative balance in these matters is due to my reflexively reclusive nature. I am reluctant to join even the most manageable of small groups. I only participate if the exit doors are clearly marked, and the paths to them unobstructed. When the Powers That Be urged citizens stay home and avoid contact with others for the sake of our country it was one of the highest affirmations I’ve received in my life. That’s been my go-to mode for over 20 years. I’ll expect my Order of Canada shortly.

My extrovert friends, OTOH — whom I love and who I love to (occasionally) hang with — not so much. I send the odd nudge, make the occasional phone call. But if I really want to find out where they’re at, I visit their Twitter feeds.

They are falling to pieces.

And if my eyes are any judge I’d say that corresponds with over 90% of Twitter users right across the board — introvert, extrovert, it doesn’t matter.

Twitter provides social contact, but of a very particular kind. It initially engages your most painstakingly developed intellectual capacities — the ability to express yourself cogently via limited means. When Twitter first showed up the fun was in the challenge, and fabulous new forms were collectively created — think of The Twitter Essay.

That’s all by the wayside now. Twitter is just another harvester of Voodoo dolls, repeatedly triggering our most primal response — fight or flight — and driving users back to the swamp, where everything is a threat.

Here our fight-or-flight feedback loop is now jacked-in with others of similar persuasion, while people with whom we once disagreed are jacked-in with others of their particular fight-or-flight feedback loop. It all strikes me as kinda (Chapel) perilous.

Exiting the feedback loop and closing the door behind you is a good idea. But beyond that?

“Run the clock.” I’m thinking time is the key element here. “Slow Food” was a thing some years ago, and we seem to be rediscovering its virtues of late. Fast Food, obviously bad — obviously appealing as well, but OBVIOUSLY BAD. Give consideration to what you put together, what you put into your mouth, your body — obviously GOOD, right?

So what might Slow Internet look like?

Buffering: it's a good thing.

Elsewhere: Erik Davis adds to last week's thoughts re: conspiracies/conspiracy theories with a footnote devoted to RAW. Cory Doctorow has his own take on conspiracies/conspiracy theories that are worth reading: How to Destroy Surveillance Capitalism.

“What struck me was how alone the four [Big Tech] CEOs were — no friends or allies anywhere in politics or society. They've creeped everyone out with their opaque form of influence. Even Big Tobacco had friends.” Checking in on Jaron Lanier.