In a world that is so connected through social media, phones, computers, TV, etc. The information delivered to us through the screen is faster than ever. The instantaneous nature of information being shared to the masses whether it’s entertainment, or News, maybe prevents people from thinking for themselves. The problem is, the more we stay connected to everything going on in the world, the less we can think for ourselves, and form our own opinions about everything.
When to think?
I like to think while I’m walking in nature. I go on these walks towards the art museum here in Philadelphia along the River Trail, where I can enjoy nature, trees, fresh air, and look out towards the river. There’s an elevated space at the end of the walk, where I can gaze out towards beautiful architecture and admire the natural beauty of my city. I find that when I’m walking, I can think more clearly and especially when I’m outside. There’s something about being indoors that isn’t as conducive to creative thoughts because of the way in which we are confined to the small space with the ceiling above our head. It’s almost like the thoughts can’t leave the room and go higher into the ether. When I’m outdoors, it’s as if my thoughts can touch the sky and come back down with a better signal that isn’t connected to wifi? I also think it’s time to find time during the day without thinking at all. When I’m photographing, this is especially when I stop thinking and just exist in the now. It’s important to have this balance between thinking of not thinking.
The angel of death
I was born and raised as a Roman Catholic, went to Catholic school from pre-K to grade 8. I actually enjoyed my time in Catholic school as a kid, and found that it provided a space for creativity and imagination. Every Friday we would have arts and crafts, and always have time to go outside in nature and play, prayed and learned about the mysteries of Jesus and theology. I remember my time, every month in the chapel in silence for a few hours, just pondering and imagining and thinking about life as a child in such a carte blanche way. The only thing I really knew about was Jesus and some of the stories that we learned in class. Life was very pure and simple and I find it to be a beautiful place to be as a human being.
Perhaps to be more like a child and having an imagination is the goal as an artist.
But I will never forget the time I learned about the angel of death. I remember going home, falling asleep that night and waking up from a nightmare. I ran to my mom’s room and was wondering if the angel of death was coming and if we’re going to die. I was so scared, and recognized at a very young age the fate of every human being is our eventually death. Now that I think about this, I wake up every morning, and I’m so grateful to simply be alive, have fresh air, and a sun above. Also, I think it’s important to be critical of the teachings that we learned through religious practices and any faith. Perhaps it’s wise to consider Jesus as a philosopher. Forget about him dying on the cross for the sins and resurrecting, just think of him as a guy who had some good ideas, and shared some thoughts to disciples that were wise. The problem with religion is that most people get caught up in it and take it so literally. Maybe I am starting to just look at the sun as god? The sun is real, and is giving me the energy to speak to my iPad and give these thoughts!
I’ve only just started to think
When I think about the past ways in which I lived my life, it was merely on auto pilot. I was in a constant state of exploration, adventures, photographing, and making new work. I never really put any thought into the work I was creating or anything else in life really. I became super deep in my craft, and only focused on becoming a better photographer, which I suppose benefited me in the long run. Now that I’ve stepped back from using social mediaand staying in touch with contemporary culture, I can actually think for myself, and start to carve my own path forward.
What’s the point of thinking?
I believe that critical thinkers will run the future. It’s very easy to become divided in today’s world, because of the mass amount of information and fear mongering that exist online and in the news. Once the news hits the iPhones of the masses, you’ll see droves of young college students out on the streets with cardboard signs and blocking traffic without even giving a second to think about it. Honestly, I don’t trust anybody that uses social media anymore. I also just assumed that anyone that’s leaving comments or an online user is an artificial intelligence bot and might as well not be a real person. Just think, a lot of the information that exists online could be fabricated and created by some loser in his mom’s basement trying to stir the pot and troll. I think that a lot of online users become dark emo types that like to watch the demise of people behind the comfort of their screen. Think about the way that humans enjoy comedy nowadays on TikTok and other platforms. A lot of the comedy and humor is predicated upon viewing other people in pain and suffering, and sort of just laughing at it. I think this is really foolish at best and not funny.
NPC
A non-playable character in a video game such as Skyrim only has a few different sayings that they can display on the screen when you interact with them. Think of the NPC in the shop that sells weapons and armor. They can offer you some advice on where to find good hunt, upgrade your armor, and buy new weapons. They have nothing else to say. You can go back to the same NPC in the shop over and over again, and constantly have the same story every time.
Nowadays, it’s almost impossible to even have small talk with other people. I notice a lot of people in the elevator will completely stand and look the opposite way so that they don’t have to interact with you. Sometimes they’ll just constantly be scrolling on their phone mindlessly, consuming whatever media is right there without even acknowledging you.
Anti social behavior is really weird to me
We should just face directly towards other people when we’re on the elevator. Maybe it’s better to be more personal and just talk about yourself when you engage with other people. When you meet people for the first time, just tell them a random story from your life and become more personal with others. Instead of the simple small talk like “have a good day,” we should just be as personal as possible going forward.
Phones are generally bad
The problem with phone use is that it’s inhumane and lacks all of the characteristics and human behaviors that is required for a real life conversation. I will only really use my phone to FaceTime my brother since he’s far away. That’s the only use case I can think of for a phone. Other than that using ChatGPT and blogging is good. The camera can be useful at times and other uses for creativity, but using it as a way to consume things and interact with others is lame at best. I say, just delete all of your social media apps from your phone and embrace digital minimalism. I don’t trust anybody who’s on social media, watching YouTube videos, listening to podcast, or just generally staying so connected with the world this way.
Flesh is the future
Flesh, physical, life, real life, in the flesh, this is the future. Sure, we live in a digital world now and the future of virtual reality and all sorts of weird tech will definitely take over a lot of the masses. People will probably interface with neurallink and start having Information downloaded directly to their brains. I’m sure we will be able to translate any language by putting in headpieces, or some other object into our orifices. Another thing, people that wear AirPods in public is antisocial behavior. You are drowning out the day with music and a bunch of garbage podcast as you walk around the city. You’re never gonna be able to think for yourself if you’re constantly listening to things on the Internet, whether it’s music, podcast, media, etc. Antisocial behavior is so common these days. Sometimes when I go to a store and hold the door open for people, they can’t even make eye contact with me and always excuse themselves and say sorry over and over again and feel like they’re bothering you when they’re plugged into the AirPods. They become disconnected from real life in the physical flesh. Honestly, going forward just stay in touch with your local town and whatever is happening on an extremely local basis. This is the only thing that is real, and really matters at the end of the day. Everything else is a distraction and not worth staying in touch with. Disconnect from the digital world and connect with real life in the physical flesh.
Why does this all matter?
Going forward it’s going to be very very interesting. I think we’re living in the most insane and incredible to be alive. We have Amazon, unlimited resources, yummy food, movies, hyper realistic, video, games, simulations. Think of the movie WALL-E and the really fat and obese people that sit in the hover chairs getting fed information on the TV screens eating bad foods. The ship was hijacked by the robot, and the humans couldn’t even control the direction of their ship. Could this be the future of our reality? Perhaps going forward the only thing that we can do is just laugh in the face of chaos and embrace all of this stuff. Merge with the machine and utilize the tools that we have to our advantage, but remain grounded in the flesh. Enhance your thoughts by using ChatGPT as a way to study etymology and whatever you desire. But remember that we must be social. Human beings in the flesh will run the future. And those that can think critically, without the influence of all of this excess media will be the innovators, the movers and the shakers. As artists and photographers, it’s critical for us to move forward with skepticism and optimism. I think of the future will be bright, but also recognize the demise of the human species, physically, and mentally. We can either become super soldiers, or be like those guys on the ship of WALL-E.