Why should being “into nature” be so isolating?
I’m very logical and analytical in a lot of ways but I also have always been extremely into nature and empathetic to other living things and I always viewed those as the same thing. Our natural world is completely math and science! 

I’ve always understood the trope of logical and analytical people to be cold and selfish in a way, think: engineers vs the trope of the tuned in empath that’s generally portrayed as something like the starving artist or hippie.
What happens when I’m not only very logical and analytical, obsessed with maths and science since a child but also very into nature and the natural order of things that is often conveyed as 'woo woo' or new age spirituality? Is it new age or old age? Is it that this way of thinking conflicts with the institution of religion, namely the Abrahamic or even more specifically, Christianity? 

Thinking logically and analytically is generally high regarded in our society while being empathetic to other life and being truly connected to the natural world is weirdly almost social suicide.
I don’t want to do anything to harm my environment but our entire way of life is incredibly harmful and we just keep doing it because everyone else is. Who is going to take the initiative to change? Some people have, I know, I’m not entirely alone but at what point is it going to be considered “normal” to care about our environment and will it be too late by then? 

One thing I really struggle with is that smart phones, AI, and social media are addictive and problematic for two main reasons: one, its outsourcing thinking and our brains will become mush if we don’t exercise and use it and two, it’s all algorithmic and the algorithms are owned and stored by private corporations. A handful of guys know more or have the capability of knowing more about us through our digital profile or “fingerprint” than we know of ourselves. They can, will and do use this information to benefit themselves. These devices literally enslave us as long as we allow it. 

The dilemma I face is that I want to continue to try to reach people and empower them to consider that our options may be greater than we are led to believe. If I lived the way I wanted to, I would never be heard from society and society would continue to barrel towards destruction of all life. Where do I belong?

We don’t have to live like this. I don’t know that it’s even possible to continue to live like this, I think we will destroy ourselves if we keep it up. Is that really want we want? I can’t imagine it is. If you’re reading this, ask yourself what you’re not seeing, what you’re not asking. Do you think we can continue to live like this for forever? What are we doing about it? 

I’ve switched to a flip phone, but I’ve been using iPhone for things like social media, GPS, meetup and music. I’m going to commit to using the flip phone and use desktop computer for browsing, research and social media and do directions the old fashioned way. I might even ask people (oh no, stranger danger!).

😄

I can’t continue to allow this black rectangle to control my life. By not using a smart phone, not using AI, I’m told I’ll be left behind. Honestly, seeing the way it’s all headed, I’m REALLY okay with that. 

Are we addicted? What does addiction look like? 

Admitting addiction is shameful like it’s a personal failing to be addicted to something, forgetting that we are often enticed and even sometimes forced to participate in an activity that is highly addictive. Is it the individual’s fault that there are systems in place (tobacco and alcohol industry for example) that rely on the public to be addicted so the system owners can personally benefit? We are forced to use smart phones to participate in society and we are socially isolated if we don’t use social media, but do we feel better or worse after prolonged use? 

Another hallmark of addiction is that increased use feels WORSE but the user continues, hoping that next time will be better, chasing the high that will never come. 

This is an intervention.

The antidote to addiction is support, love, community. How we overcome such a mass addiction, I’m not entirely sure, but I think it starts with us refusing to continue using. I think most addictions are best dealt with cold turkey, just jump in. Weaning off can be an impossibility with a real addiction. Inability to regulate is another character of addiction. 

How do we reconcile refusing to participate when our survival is often tied to our participation? I think that’s where support heals addiction. We have to be there for each other. If everyone decided money didn’t mean anything, how would we move through the world differently? 

We could live any way we want. And we should not look to the past for models to copy, we should look at our current existence with brand new eyes and ideas to discuss together what kind of world we would like to live in, honestly. If we all had to choose today live in a world filled with concrete, ads and poisons or a world teeming with life and love, which would we choose? We make these choices every day. Individually, we make a minor impact but collectively, we make it all. I don’t know exactly how it could be logistically implemented but I know it’s possible. I am delusional to some because I believe peace is possible. And we are fighting the natural order, which disrupts the peace. Peace is harmony and harmony isn’t always sunshine and butterflies, sometimes it’s fire and storms. 

How much would we hate each other without smart phones? Can you imagine, would we hate more or less?

So many things that we need as an animal in its natural environment are stolen from us and sold back to us in exchange for our energy. 

We need exercise, so we buy gym memberships or run on a conveyer belt instead of moving our bodies in the ways necessary to live in our natural environment.
We allow the poisoning of our water so that they can then sell clean water to us.
We used to collect our own food near to us and know we don’t know how to eat anything that isn’t sold in the grocery store. We aren’t eating food that is growing now, that is from the same land we live on and it’s a wonder we are dysregulated?
We used to make music together and now we pay to hear a few people play music written by the aforementioned guys with the algorithmic data. I believe the real magic in music is the communion of people with it. That’s why church music, drum circles and concerts produce a similar feeling.
Dancing prolongs life. 

I understand concerns about putting too much pressure on individuals’ actions when it’s not really our decision to put these systems in place, but our actions have an impact which is increased the more of us act. If we find ways to turn our backs on the systems of oppression and turn towards the community of life, what happens?