Friday Musings—08/11/24

What's new with me

I had a rather emotional conversation with my psychotherapist, where we tackled questions I’m not yet ready to answer. The more self-awareness you build, the less you can hide in denial! Are there any tough questions you're avoiding?

She also caught me in a low moment as I dealt with ongoing health setbacks and the frustration of finding the right specialists. Sometimes it all feels like too much to bear, and I find myself feeling really defeated. To counter this attitude, she suggested I write down at least one constructive thing I accomplish each day—no matter how small—as long as it brings me closer to my goals. So far, I’ve found something worth noting each day, which has helped me regain a sense of control. It’s something to keep in mind whenever you’re feeling defeated (and don’t we all, at some point?).

Self-worth in the digital age

"The self is the work, just ask Flaubert. But data collection’s ability to reduce the self to a figure—batted about by the fluctuations of its stock—is newly unbearable."

As we grow up, many of us transition from doing things purely for the joy of them to seeking measurable validation (and pay) for our efforts. Traditionally, though, people reclaimed their independence from any external measure of worth during their off time, pursuing whatever felt personally meaningful just for the sake of it. But in the digital age, that freedom is shrinking. In The Collapse of Self-Worth in the Digital Age, the author argues that nearly every activity today has become a metric-driven pursuit, with digital metrics infiltrating even personal experiences, friendships, and creative expression. We’re encouraged to share and even monetize everything, from private moments to hobbies and passions. And even when we think we’re doing something purely for leisure, like sharing a photo or streaming music, we’re still generating data points that feed someone else’s metrics.

So, how do we reclaim self-worth outside of external validation? Are there still things you do purely for yourself, with no expectations of likes, follows, or monetization?

Love's slot machines

Isn’t love a beautiful thing? These days, though, the search for love can feel more like playing a slot machine than a romantic endeavor. In keeping with the theme of digital metrics infiltrating every aspect of our lives, it may not be surprising to learn that, as more people turn to dating apps to find “the one,”companies like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge use addictive gambling-like tactics designed to keep users swiping—and paying. Just like with social media, has our genuine desire for connection become yet another commodity to be exploited?

Quotation magnets

As Einstein famously said, “They said it couldn’t be done, but the fool didn’t know it, so the fool went ahead and did it.” Or did he?

As you know, I’m fond of ending my musings with a quote, either to complement that week’s topics or to express how I’m feeling that day. I always double or triple-check who the quote is attributed to, as misattributions are all too common. Einstein, Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde, Maya Angelou, Winston Churchill, Dorothy Parker, and Benjamin Franklin are some of the classic “quotation magnets” covered in this fascinating piece.

You’ll learn more about the origins and evolution of viral misattributed quotes and hear about the curious case of the “Chinese curse” (which I even saw printed on a sugar bag a while ago). The author also reflects on how modern technologies, and especially AI, “may muddy the referential headwaters” and why it’s essential to be mindful whenever we share information—even if it’s just a quote.

As an experiment, I actually asked ChatGPT if it had any suggestion as to which quote to use this week. You can see for yourself how that went, even after my stressing the need for accuracy.

Quote of the week ✍️ 

"What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think."  (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

As always, I welcome your insights or questions. Which musing was your favorite? What topics would you like to see covered in future newsletters? Any other suggestions? Let me know in the comments or send me an email. Don't forget to share this with someone who may find it interesting.

Enjoy your weekend and TTYS

ML