We are uber connected. We are overdosed with push notifications, most read, most shared content. Tech platforms are attention merchants. People say “think outside the box!” while they are reading whatever everyone is reading and hanging around with the same people. They feel compelled to catch up to whatever is trending.
We need a break. We need to be present. We need to be aware. We need to build our own path. We need “Awe Elicitors” (nature, music, knowledge) which makes us ring, wonder, makes us see it’s not only about ourselves (or our smartphone screen). It evokes our creativity. We should build habits (and places) that make us go beyond. We should frame the frame.
If we can’t mash up information/data/thought chunks, we’ll be the average overwhelming guy who knows everything but owns nothing.
The philosopher Adam Morton speculates that epistemic emotions play a crucial role in scientific practice. Imagine a scientist who knows the latest research techniques, and who is intelligent and analytical. If she lacks curiosity, awe and other epistemic emotions, she won’t have the drive to become a good scientist, who can change her mind on the basis of evidence, explore new hypotheses or pay attention to unexpected results. As Van Fraassen argued, to change the field or accept radical changes in it, you need to alter your outlook on the world. Awe can do this. It focuses attention away from yourself and makes you think outside of your usual thought patterns.
Link to the inspiration for this post
Concordo demais! As minhas melhores ideias, as melhores conexões mentais são em momentos onde estou fazendo atividades totalmente desconectadas de trabalho. Digo muito isso aqui internamente, mas é bem difícil conseguir na prática rs