re: #303 freetoken

What I feel may well be part of the larger changes that have entered our society since the telegraph, radio, TV, etc.

Why not ‘since widespread literacy’?

When I read letters from my ancestors, some of whom were born in the early 19th century, I am struck by how limited and humble they seem to be. As with reading wills from the 18th century, where even a simple spoon had to be accounted for.

What do you mean by ‘limited’ and/or ‘humble’, and what are you comparing it to?

Part of the change may be due to accumulated wealth, but I do believe that we have lost something by reducing our interpersonal interaction to electrons. Having to physically move, to transport oneself over a distance, to interact with someone may have made the whole experience more valuable.

There is an absolute truth that we gain something through socializing in person that we don’t from socializing not in person. However, what is the connection between that to a societal ‘lack of focus’ or ‘ennui’, and why would it start with electronic communication and not with letters, which also allow you to not physically move to interact with someone?

You’re purporting to talk about a difference that results from lack of face-to-face communication, but you’re citing letters from the 18th century, which themselves are an example of non face-to-face communication.