The Electronic Buzz

We’ve observed the phenomenon over a period of 25 years now. We ought to be able to at least start to formulate an evaluation. Here’s mine:

We can’t handle it. It’s got to go.

Everybody, individually, says: “I’m sure I can handle it. I know that I’m going to get to a point of handling it.”

Very few will.

There will never be peace as long as the infinitude of the Internet is present in our lives.

Distraction is inevitable.

These days I’m living with my three grandchildren — 13, 12, and 8 — because my wife and my daughter and I are home-schooling them during the pandemic. Their father got them all phones. They can’t put them down.

An infinitude of distraction and buzz.

That describes the city, also. But now everyone has the city in their pocket.

Here’s what to do about it: Live in an ecovillage that disavows broadband. [Such a thing does not yet exist. The mystique of the Internet is so predominant that even ecovillagers tout what great broadband is available within their community.]

About 250 people live at the Ecovillage at Ithaca. What, that’s not enough in the way of available potential engagement, stimulation, distraction? It’s a lot, but at least it’s finite. There are 30,000 people in the town of Ithaca and 100,000 in Tompkins County living on 500 quite beautiful square miles. Relate mostly to those 250, somewhat to the thirty thousand, occasionally to the hundred thousand, as much in face-to-face mode as possible. Put down roots and feel at home within the 500. Listen to those people and to that land. Consider it enough. Spend a certain amount of time in silence and solitude. Still your mind, relax your body, cultivate peace.

The Internet leads us in the opposite direction and that’s a bad thing. It’s got to go.