Sunday, June 02, 2013

On living in the present

People often post simple-minded "truisms" on Facebook. One is to "live in the present." I do not share this because it is stupid. A more usable idea is to "experience" the present, be aware of it, enjoy it (when possible). But if you "live in" the present, you won't prepare for the future. Eg., you won't plant crops and will starve.

Douglas Rushkoff explains it well.


http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/350752/description/BOOK_REVIEW_Present_Shock_When_Everything_Happens_Now_by_Douglas_Rushkoff

BOOK REVIEW: "Present Shock: When Everything Happens Now" by Douglas Rushkoff
Reviewed by Nathan Seppa

he warns that living in the present has repercussions. Human biology is ill prepared for this lifestyle. Living in present tense, people take out mortgages they can’t pay, governments rack up debt and corporations deplete resources. Such robbing from the future is a losing strategy. Illegally downloading music or movies may benefit a scofflaw, but ultimately the industry suffers.

No comments:

Post a Comment