DL 383

Navigating Paradoxes

Welcome to Digitally Literate, issue #383. This week we explore the paradoxes of innovation, internet culture, and the narratives that shape our lives.

🔖 Key Takeaways

• Digital Civility: Substack faces criticism for lax content moderation, prompting discussions about platform ethics.
• Innovation Resistance: It’s time to challenge the idea that technological progress must always be accepted without question.
• Internet Culture: The internet is becoming weirder and more human-scale, sparking renewed creativity.
• Life’s S-Curves: Embrace life's nonlinear journey and focus efforts intentionally.

📚 Recent Work

• The Human Edge - Examining the unique strengths of human abilities that technology cannot replicate.

🚩 Not Hanging Around The Nazi Bar

Substack is under fire for its lack of content moderation:

• Extremist Content: The platform allows white supremacist and anti-Semitic content as long as it doesn’t incite violence. Learn more.
• Community Reactions: Writers like Laura Hilliger and Audrey Watters are re-evaluating their use of Substack. Check out Ben Werdmuller's perspective.

For now, I’m pausing my Substack postings.

🛠 Emerging Resistance to Innovation

Cal Newport challenges the notion that we must always embrace technological progress:

• Dismantling Technopoly: Resist the uncritical acceptance of innovation and its negative consequences. Read more.
• Humans + Machines: Diana Enríquez emphasizes partnerships over strict automation. Explore.

Make sure to visit Diana's website; it’s a brilliant example of design and storytelling.

🌐 Making the Internet Weird Again

Anil Dash envisions a future internet that is more human and creative:

• Human-Scale Experiences: The internet’s future will be shaped by smaller, more authentic spaces. Read more.
• Teens and Social Media: Platforms like TikTok and Snapchat dominate, while Facebook and X fade. Explore the Pew report.

🎢 Working The Curves

Life’s journey is nonlinear, like an S-curve:

• Navigating Transitions: Use S-curve thinking to approach life’s twists and turns with intention. Read more.
• Breaking Up with Initiatives: Focus your energy on one project at a time. Build intentionally, one brick at a time.

Reflect and Engage

• How should platforms balance free speech and content moderation? Share in Making the Internet Weird Again.
• What role does intentionality play in resisting innovation? Reflect in Resistance to Innovation.
• How can S-curve thinking guide your personal or professional growth? Explore in S-Curve Thinking.

🌟 Closing Reflection

“Life is not a problem to be solved. It’s a paradox to experience. You can believe one thing and also believe its opposite.” — Derek Sivers

Thank you for being a part of Digitally Literate. Let’s navigate these digital landscapes together! Reach out at hello@digitallyliterate.net or browse the Newsletter Index for more insights.