Existentialism and attention

[WTEricson]

I don't think it's a sort of conspiracy on the part of some superior group, but rather just how we act as a whole that causes this sort of situation. Granted, this new form of isolation does have its roots in capitalist ideology, but that's simply because we've arrived at this situation on the Ayn Rand Express. We could be just as isolated in a classless society in which comradeship was a virtue and a sense of community was encouraged. Think about it for a moment, the only reason we can associate an economic ideal like capitalism or socialism with a social situation is because we forget to separate those two things out beforehand. If we realize that the two are not mutually exclusive, we realize that it is possible to have brotherhood in a capitalist society as well as having isolation in a classless society.

I think if you give people a large group of potential friends to choose from, they will generally spread themselves as thinly as possible rather than focus on the few while there's limitless possibilities elsewhere. Of course you can't claim that this trait will effect everyone, some people are content to just stick with one thing while others are crippled by indecision.

In summary, just use Occam's Razor. What seems more likely? A conspiracy to isolate and control humanity perpetrated by the few, or an innate function of human psychology?

Well said, and if I might be so bold to add. I think "the powers that be" is an unevolved need to fight in us all, I too at times think... "Damn that bush, he is fucking us over on purpose" when the reality isn't quite so deep.... he is just a moron (couldn't resist, ignorant is a better term). Oh... I lost my house in Katrina, loved the prick till then.

That was a good article too by the way. I don't agree that anti-social is a "bad" thing. If our brains chose to evolve that direction while still receiving all the information, theres probably a reason. I have yet to see humanity de-evolve any time in history, when it makes mistakes it learns, thus evolving. The internet is a way for the brain to absorb new information outside the norm of schools, alot of the info is useless to your brain, but usefull to someone not at your point in exastentionalism. Sorry if I rant... I talk faster than Yahtzee in real life though so noone can put up with it for more than 5 seconds.