We used to talk. Now we scroll. Phones and social media have replaced real, human interaction. Emojis and internet-speak are destroying eloquence, and with it, the beauty of language. Everything has to be spoon-fed—auto-captioned and explained "in the comments." Subtext is lost and people simply follow whichever comment has the most "likes." Common sense has become so uncommon and beautiful things are disappearing from the world, yet no one seems to notice—and those that do, simply do not care.
Technology has always shaped the way we think and communicate. But if we continue to let our technology drive us, I fear that we will eventually lose everything that makes us human. Because in the end, we are defined, not just by what we talk about or occupy our minds with, but by how we speak and communicate. Our ancestors had stone tablets, papyrus, and parchment derived from sheepskin. Today, we have "smart" phones and the internet. Now, we are the sheep, and we let the machines write on us. Are we really okay with our history being written by ChatGPT?
And the worst part of it all is that the younger generations who are being raised in this modern, AI-first, "we want it all and we want it now" world, aren't being taught reading, writing and arithmetic. They're being taught scrolling, vlogging, and algorithmic. Morals and values are manufactured and used for "content" and "clout." And the thing that breaks my heart the most is that kids today learn about the world and themselves from Mr. Beast, instead of Dr. Seuss. These children are the ones who will one day inherit the world, and if we let them be now, with their tablets and iPhones and avatars, what's gonna become of the world?
It's all entertainment. "It's just a prank, bro..."
Twenty or thirty years ago, it was all fine, when this was all brand new. But the reality is that phones, the internet and social media are now commonplace—they're a part of our everyday lives. So, we should be more responsible, more careful, and intentional in how we use them—and especially, in how we teach our children to use them.
I am M. Jack Ferdinand and I started this project because I want to advocate for purposeful consumption and creation. I want to preserve morals and good values, language and eloquence, and the memory of all those beautiful things that used to exist in the world—like coffee shop dates, hours-long telephone calls with the one you love, phone booths, walking in the park, hot cocoa, and FM radio. All the grit, dirt, and tears in between.
Because if the internet will be around for hundreds of years, then I might as well leave good things behind. But above all, I want to inspire a way of being in the world without being completely dependent on technology. This is not a rejection of tech and innovation, but a reminder that our tools should enhance and elevate what is already there, not erase and replace them completely.
I see myself in this as simply a messenger, a scribe. And this undertaking is already my "big act."
The next one is entirely yours.
Scroll free or join the rebellion—the renaissance.
Be the hand that holds the spoon, as I like to say.
Follow me around the internet:
https://instagram.com/mjckfrdnd
https://instagram.com/guidedcollapse
https://twitter.com/guidedcollapse
https://youtube.com/@guidedcollapse
And subscribe to this newsletter for weekly essays. See you next week—or in the far, distant tomorrow. I will be there.
