DL 369
Plagiarize The Brain
Welcome to Digitally Literate, issue #369. 3-6-9, damn, you fine.
🔖 Key Takeaways
- Love & Legacy: Reflecting on Cormac McCarthy’s The Road and the love for his son that inspired it.
- Education & Demographics: Declining school-age populations and their implications.
- Libraries & Literacy: Evolving roles of libraries in fostering community connections.
- AI & Change: Preparing for rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and their societal impact.
📚 This Week’s Highlights
1. Cormac McCarthy on Love & Survival
This week began with wiring new outlets in the garage, listening to The Road. Soon after, I learned of Cormac McCarthy’s passing at 89. His love for his son inspired The Road, a profound meditation on survival and humanity.
📺 Watch a reflection on The Road
Why this matters: McCarthy’s work reminds us of the resilience and hope needed to navigate life’s hardships.
2. The Demographic Shift in Education
The declining school-age population in America will affect public schools, colleges, and communities. This trend could lead to school closures, consolidations, and reduced access to quality education for vulnerable students.
📖 Read about the challenges ahead
Why this matters: While culture wars dominate the discourse, hard decisions about the future of education are looming.
3. Libraries: Evolving Social Infrastructure
Every summer, my kids and I participate in the local library’s reading challenges. Libraries remain vital community hubs, yet they face increasing demand and resource challenges.
📖 Explore the future of libraries
Why this matters: Supporting libraries ensures they continue to serve as spaces for connection and learning.
4. Social Media & Teen Mental Health
Teenagers’ social media use is under scrutiny, but proving its impact on mental health is complex. Is the issue screen time itself, or the activities it replaces, like sleep and exercise?
Why this matters: Setting boundaries and fostering conversations about responsible use can help mitigate risks.
5. The AI Revolution
Tim Urban explores the journey from Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI) to Artificial Superintelligence (ASI). As we approach 2025, computational power may rival the human brain, heralding unprecedented change.
Why this matters: Understanding and preparing for these advancements is critical as we navigate an uncertain future.
6. Implementing Change Strategically
To drive change, focus on early adopters rather than convincing everyone at once. Success within a small group can snowball into widespread transformation.
Why this matters: Incremental successes build momentum for lasting change.
🛠️ DO: Shift Your Perspective
Happiness and satisfaction often depend more on perception than reality. Reframing how we think about experiences can lead to greater contentment.
📖 Learn how to reframe your mindset
🌟 Closing Reflection
“We are on the edge of change comparable to the rise of human life on Earth.”
— Vernor Vinge
Thank you for reading Digitally Literate. Stay tuned for more insights and discussions. Connect with me at hello@digitallyliterate.net or explore Newsletter Index for all past issues.