Are we more focused on the present than ever before?
This past week, we read a few articles along with more of Cal Newport’s, Deep Work. Despite all the new information, one article stood out among the rest. Clive Thompson wrote the article Social Media is Keeping us Stuck in the Moment for This.org. He raised a really interesting point about our dependence on new information. He argues that we hyper-focus on the present due to social media’s reverse chronological design; this refers to the fact that the general timeline has the most recent content at the top. Therefore, to find older content, you would have to scroll for a very long time.
The focus on the present is not a new phenomenon. Instead, Thompson argues that it has been developing since the beginning of communication. As new methods become prevalent in society, the content of communication gets altered. Looking back at the Mesopotamians, they communicated by writing in clay tablets. These were very durable but also incredibly heavy. As a result, the information lasted a long time, but could not be easily shared. With the invention of paper and the printing press, things started to change. People could now write down a variety of content, including religious tracts and rules. These prints were lightweight and could accompany people during their travels. This allowed ideas to permeate new locations and cultures. In addition to being lightweight, paper is also much more vulnerable to wear and tear. Unlike with clay, the ideas transcribed on paper were transient. Then when newspapers became popular, there was an emphasis on having new and interesting information. People were unconcerned about the past, instead choosing to focus on the flashy crimes and trials of today. This mentality naturally transferred over to social media.
One of my favorite things about this article is that it does not dismiss social media as a negative or evil tool but instead critiques one design flaw that could change its impact. Many of the articles we have read this semester have painted social media as the villain of society. It’s the field of marketing I want to go into, so I tend to disagree with the articles. I had never thought about the impact the timeline feed may have on users. This observation has already caused me to reflect on my interaction with various platforms.
I am ashamed to admit that I am the type of person that tends to prefer the reverse chronological design. Thompson mentioned that Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter have begun to alter the algorithm to show some content from the past. Although I don’t mind it on Twitter, I’ve been very disappointed to see content from the past on Instagram. Whenever I like a post from the past accidentally, I worry that the creator will think that I am stalking their account. This shows me how much societal pressures impact the way I interact with social media. I love commenting and liking people’s photos on Instagram, but only if they are from the last 48 hours. It’s also interesting to note that I don’t feel these same pressures from Facebook and Twitter; this may be connected with the fact that I use those platforms less.
After reading the article, I started wondering what I could do to reconnect with the past and future. I came up with a small list for myself and thought I’d share them with the rest of you!
- Check out social platforms that honor the past
During the article, Thompson mentions the popularity of the Twitter account @HistoryinPictures, which posts photos from the past. These accounts can act as educational moments for users. Small bits of knowledge to keep us from forgetting about our history.
- Read books from the past
I love to read and actually read a few books every week. Normally, I read fiction and young adult books because they interest me the most. I think it would be smart to challenge myself to read books from/ about the past to reconnect with that time.
- Watch Documentaries
I love watching documentaries because they help shine a light on a situation or period in time. They are an interesting way of storytelling and expanding your knowledge. I want to start actively seeking out a documentary a week to continuously be learning.
- Visit More Museums
Museums are such an amazing resource to learn more about the past. Plus, they can inspire you to create and advance your work for the future.
- Travel to National Parks
I find some of the most impactful learning happens when you immerse yourself. National parks tend to have a rich and exciting history to them. I want to travel and visit national parks around the US and learn their stories.
It might take a while, but I hope to stop being overly concerned about the present. Hopefully I gain more patience over time and a larger appreciation for the past and the history that is all around us.