Go See Cal

In a personal Fb share, Rahsheen Porter quoted from Cal Newport:

“We all know these platforms are unhealthy for us, so why are they nonetheless so broadly used? They inform a compelling story: that all your frantic tapping and swiping makes you a key a part of a political revolution, or a fearless investigator, or a righteous protestor – that if you’re on-line, you’re somebody essential, doing essential issues throughout an essential time.

“However this, for probably the most half, is an phantasm. In actuality, you’re toiling anonymously in an consideration manufacturing facility, whereas billionaire overseers mock your efforts and rejoice their rising internet worths.”

The algorithms solely present you what they assume will trigger you to maximally have interaction. Even within the days of FriendFeed, I by no means noticed content material from the extraordinarily lively Turkish and Italian communities. Why ought to I? I noticed what FriendFeed needed me to see.

However I’m grateful that Fb reveals me Rahsheen’s content material.

And I’m additionally grateful for individuals who understood the “Go See Cal” publish title.

And at last, I’m grateful to the residents and former residents of south Arlington, Virginia who detected the within joke within the image above. (Trace: the hoodie was initially grey.)