Scientist Richard Dawkins shares chilling mental health warning

[@planetfocus911]

"We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology. - Dr. Carl Sagan.

[@steveschunk5702]

In absolute terms, that is false; but we are drowning in relatives.

[@atomictraveller]

i'd buy that for a dollar - all you want is to turn off the MK satellites heterodyned subliminal audio

[@seandonahue8464]

@@planetfocus911 I always loved Sagan since first seeing Cosmos as a child on PBS. I feel so lucky to have seen the first run! I didn’t start reading his books until in my 50’s. I have to pace it out you know since he is no longer here.

[@howarddavies8937]

​@@steveschunk5702Absolute gibberish.

[@deanronson6331]

@@steveschunk5702 Your relatives visiting too often?

[@bearclaus2676]

The internet has maximised the rate of which we all absorb traumatic occurences vicariously.

[@justinsmith8161]

Vicariously... you say! Interesting choice of word. Same goes for media companies.👍

[@bearclaus2676]

@@justinsmith8161 google, vicarious trauma. It is well known in the field of psychology, psychiatry, counselling etc. I believe it's a hidden sickness in all of us. And yes, the media loves to deal it to the masses.

[@MB-wk5lc]

this is absolutely true. Too much information over which we have no effect but that has massive effect over us.

[@redbarchetta8782]

This is true and the algorithms behind it do more to create the situation.

[@craiglibby1224]

Very well said. I am going to use your quote.

[@freeagent8225]

I find that sharing my problems with my cat helps greatly.

[@lamusica1592]

Cats are the answer 🐱

[@realsemig]

your cat is just looking at you and thinking: Shut up human and just give me food

[@SolveEtCoagula93]

Especially when the cat answers back and resolves the problem.

[@6Tabazan6]

My cat should be a counsellor. He's really good at it 🐈‍⬛ Always reminds me of the importance of pawsing for thought to reflect on life. Shouting all the cat owners 🐈‍⬛🐈🐅🐆❤

[@rdeanmurray8139]

@@realsemig You don't know cats.

[@Gk2003m]

My wife wonders why I have refused to get a cell phone. My friends wonder why I refuse to get onto FB, Instagram, X, etc. I actually love the technology. I despise how it is used. (YT is no exception; it’s becoming cluttered with sensationalist falseness.)

[@peterneumann7145]

Thanks for posting 😂

[@runestone1337]

Why not own one simply because it's a convenient portable telephone with a bonus clock and calculator?

[@DevonExplorer]

I absolutely agree. It's getting increasingly harder to do anything without a smart phone but I'm still not going to get one or join any social media other than YT...and even then I have to take a break every now and then because too much information can wreak havok with my equilibrium.

[@john1boggity56]

YT is my heroine and will also be my downfall - excellent point

[@Slam_24]

KZbin has changed rapidly these last three years. I remember when it was considered honourable to publish educational content. But now, falsities and greed are rampant.

[@randrozguidroz6485]

I had a college professor in 1974 who told us technology was going to grow so quickly that roughly 1/3 of the human population would not be able to comprehend these changes and lose the ability to decipher reality from fictions

[@DaveGrean]

Woah, that actually explains a lot. Definitely makes more sense than having to assume that people older than a millennial just so happen to have a much higher likelihood of being dumb or deranged, for, like, no reason

[@DS-cf1zc]

This has happened already - and if you read stuff like Azeem Azhars Exponential - everything is moving on an exponential curve none of us can keep up with.

[@DS-cf1zc]

@@robynliteracy7057 I suspect those who will survive and cope best will fall in to two camps - those able to cope with the advancements, and perhaps manage them - so those able to work in the technologies as they emerge. The others might oddly be those that dont adopt all of the full technological experience - so they control what they need to absorb.

[@stoicepictetus3875]

Regarding human understanding, was it any better 2000 years ago ? Not sure ...

[@fkungms]

I'm involved in state-of-art technology sector, I find that taking time each day to meditate, to go into short period of mental and physical stillness helps a lot

[@zurc_bot]

that in itself is a red flag. It clearly shows that these things arent really helping us.

[@georgegrubbs2966]

In my lifetime of 84 years, I have experienced huge changes. I recall in the 40s, we had an icebox, not a refrigerator, an archola, not an electric or gas furnace, no air conditioning at home or car, or shopping. My mother washed clothes on a scrub board in the bathtub and hung the clothes on a clothesline outside to dry. I lived for awhile on a farm where we had an outhouse for a toilet, and my aunt cooked on a wood stove. There was no television, only radio. As I grew up, I embraced technology and after college, became a mathematician and software developer. The IT field has had extremely rapid change. I accept the rapid pace of change and try to learn as much about it as possible. Just keep grounded and use technology as a convenience.

[@Chacal_Puant]

"Idiocracy" is not a movie, it's a prophetic documentary. And this is not a joke.

[@netscrooge]

I agree. Or worse, imagine we're already living in a future where we turn to experts to give their opinions about matters outside their area of expertise.

[@atomictraveller]

funny how few people are reminded of that movie. btw, john quincy adams, antimasonic party. remember that part, until the satellites put a stop to it.

[@polandturtle]

Keep preaching it. I just saw it for the first time, it starts with this comedic intro about how when our society got so advanced there were no challenges to survival, breeding was only decided by how much a person did it, recklessly without protection. The unfortunate fact is the joke is 100% scientifically correct.

[@proudatheist2042]

Dysgenics is a fact.

[@FluxNomad678]

In spite of technology, we are working more and more not less and I think it's making people miserable. Aside from cool mobile devices, jobs become more complex with a higher learning curve. It also seems like the idea of mentoring young workers has just died and new people are expected to hit the ground running with the knowledge and expertise of a veteran employee; it's insane. Also, society and economy still seem to try and push a Scarcity based model of operating. We should be in a world of abundance, but want people running ragged constantly to be productive. Aside from this, I do think if people has more quality personal idle time, they might spontaneously pickup and study 'Old' skills like metal smithing or even repurposing old tech. Especially, the Analog stuff I think is more accessible.

[@luciusblackwood2640]

I often find myself wishing I could trade my complex desk job for less stressful physical one.

[@FluxNomad678]

@@luciusblackwood2640 I just make 22 an hour as a truck driver I was recently in Walmart seeing the sign for stock worker for 15 an hour. I was actually tempted and might even still think about it because sitting in this truck all day so unhealthy

[@swojnowski453]

we work more and more but have less and less influence on how the process runs. What's the solution? Leave complex systems, go back to living simpler live. The less you have the more free you are. Death is regaining the ultimate freedom, technology keeps you enslaved. Reduce reliance on it, you will feel yourself and life more again.

[@theboombody]

Bertrand Russell wrote a great piece called In Praise of Idleness.

[@DoveringFifths]

@@luciusblackwood2640 Physical work eventually results in muscle/joint problems and constant pain. Mind you, so does sitting all day.

[@turboslag]

I predicted this problem almost 30 years ago when I first started to use the Internet. It's the rate of change that is disruptive to society and therefore places immense mental strain on the individual. Simple things like dealing with organisations and official offices. You have one rule or policy at a given time, which determines your position, then you call them or go online 6 months later and it's changed again, usually to your detriment. So people become insecure and feel vulnerable because they have no stability or certainty in their lives, and this can cause mental health problems. Just look at what has happened to the UK in just the time labour has been in office for an illustration of this! This becomes exponential because of the multitude and unpredictable ways people react to the onslaught of change and how rapidly they can create even more change, it has become uncontrollable, but governments try to control the uncontrollable with even more oppressive legislation, which causes even more mental strain. It's a vicious circle. The worst is yet to come though, well actually it's started, AI.

[@matthewatwood207]

Leaded gas turned two generations of westerners into criminals.

[@James-kv6kb]

Another big problem with this century people that just keep writing and writing who can't be succinct

[@matthewatwood207]

@@James-kv6kb it could be said that the problem is the lead-infused selfish people who can't read more than 25 words at a time.

[@swojnowski453]

just do not touch anything that is a complex system, and if you have to, make sure you are paid well for that. I spent my time watching ducks every day 25 years ago, and you know what? I still do it today, hardly give any attention to the world around me. No TV, radio, if I use YT, i only read comments, I run my website and post what I think there. The website is the minimum viable tech for my purposes, takes nearly no time to maintain. Why overcomplicate your life? If someone tries it, just move to your own niche and let them come and go, most of them do in a matter of years, not worth bothering with.

[@davehshs651]

A phone-to-phone connection is a very poor substitute for a face-to-face human connection. It's no coincidence that younger humans often have very little empathy with others. They feel isolated with no sense of REAL connection to another human.

[@blupandax7902]

I work in the IT industry and I agree with you 100%. Technology usage has corrupted our social skills, we focus more on online “communities” rather than the parents who took care of us when we were younger.

[@empathiaobscura979]

100% 👍🏻

[@foraminuteforaminute4056]

Definitely. KZbin is the only social media I have anymore (and I'm desperately trying to kick that addiction) for the reason that interactions on the internet are feeble mockery at human interaction: when I read something I disagree with, I sense a part of me becoming irrationally upset. I'm no expert in psychology, but I've long attributed this to the fact that I can "hear" my own voice when I read, and I don't like what it's being "made" to say. Other people appear to also have this tendency too, based off of how vitriolic I've seen people become on social media.

[@timothydempsey3763]

This is there story,this there song, scrolling on their cell phone all the day long, nothing accomplished, nothing got done,had billions of brain cells soon to will have none

[@robertorovida2108]

Unfortunately there's also been the coincidence of two facts: 1) current jobs (contracts and praxis) require harder work than in the past in terms of unfavourable ratio 'working long hours/received salary' in a high-cost-of-living world; 2) more infectious diseases can be transmissed interhumanly, causing a loss of working days and salary. A socially active young person (and it's the young who should contribute more to the quantity and quality and the improvement of all the kinds of work) falls ill much more frequently than in the past along one year, and this goes to the detriment of their families and their jobs. Some distant relationships, although sadder, can be kept in spite of 1) and do not add up to 2)

[@SharkyJ40]

I definitely wasn't designed for all of it. I was working in big tech when I suffered autistic burnout, not the same as standard burnout. I was made to vibe with the birds and trees and live minimally. I don't do social media other than YT. I am legally disabled now.

[@thelostcosmonaut5555]

We're made to hunt and travel and contribute to a tight-knit community. We aren't meant to go full speed for 18 hours a day. We need naps. We need relaxation. We need boredom.

[@SharkyJ40]

@@thelostcosmonaut5555 I agree! I try to build a life that reflects my own needs and values more, less external alignment.

[@niftyskates85]

I seen ur comment before

[@SharkyJ40]

@@niftyskates85 wow, something must have stood out for you to remember that. Or you have really good memory!

[@niftyskates85]

@@SharkyJ40 haha I have no short term memory but I was tripping out with deja vu for a minute the remembered. Maybe it just hit home. How's life been after burnout ?

[@juanmacias3]

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.

[@snoopdoff]

Can you help with the reliable source I would really appreciate it. Many people talk about mushrooms and psychedelics but nobody talks about where to get them. Very hard to get a reliable source here in Australia. Really need!

[@peishancraken]

Yes, dr.porassss. I have the same experience with anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction and Mushrooms definitely made a huge huge difference to why am clean today.

[@carly102982]

I wish they were readily available in my place. Microdosing was my next plan of care for my husband. He is 59 & has so many mental health issues plus probable CTE & a TBI that left him in a coma 8 days. It's too late now I had to get a TPO as he's 6'6 300+ pound homicidal maniac. He's constantly talking about killing someone. He's violent. Anyone reading this Familiar w/ BPD know if it is common for an obsession with violence.

[@snoopdoff]

Is he on instagram?

[@peishancraken]

Yes he is dr.porassss.

[@seandonahue8464]

I read a book on Irrationality and it had a thing I thought interesting idea. We are no longer required to know things in detail but to manipulate abstractions.

[@proximacentaur1654]

Well I still have to shovel food into my mouth and go to the toilet occasionally. But hopeful technology will fix that.

[@seandonahue8464]

@@proximacentaur1654 but that’s all AI will leave me, my last domain. 🤓

[@atomictraveller]

epistemological solipsism. only self knowledge is even rational. where there is certainty, consideration is absent.

[@esyphillis101]

Fascinating. What was the name of the book if I may ask?

[@seandonahue8464]

@@esyphillis101 Justin E. H. Smith, Irrationality ( A History of The Dark Side of Reason) I thought the general idea interesting that animals are more rational than we are. I can’t recall specifically but the opening and middle were good but the last bit was eh.

[@pigstonwidget]

I would say it's because of our complete disconnect from the natural world.

[@atomictraveller]

..because you're not supposed to notice MK, and most people probably don't, won't, not once

[@swojnowski453]

we are not completely disconnected, I go to the park twice every day, I watch ducks and geese every day for an hour or so, I go to the forest many times a week. Everything else is secondary to these.

[@hankhicks2265]

The pace of life keeps getting faster

[@matthewatwood207]

Lead poisoning keeps making abusive people.

[@marlan5470]

Yes, but where are we running to?

[@prophecyrat2965]

@@marlan5470annhilation

[@HackTheBeat]

slow down your mind and things will be just fine.

[@matthewatwood207]

@@HackTheBeat lol. Things are never going to be fine until we address the evil elephant in the room.

[@drewdegen9043]

Dawkins is certainly right, but have we really adapted well overall to the frenetic pace of technological change? It seems to me the opposite; we are being consumed by it.

[@matthewatwood207]

Dawkins SHOULD be aware that lead poisoning in early life destroys the chain of neurons leading to empathy. He should be aware that it causes "impulse control" issues and "criminal behavior." He SHOULD be aware that it was all up in our air due to leaded gas exhaust while boomers and gen x were young. But we're not allowed to talk about that, and we're shifting away from abuse as a causal factor for mental illness just like the news shifted away from using the words alleged between the words "Epstein's" and "suicide."

[@calebbelac8335]

NOPE! NOT his theory. Try Daniel Lieberman Mismatch Theory. Others have spoken of these idease before Lieberman too. This is 10-15 years established.

[@atomictraveller]

he didn't really account for masonic collusionism it's the biig oops

[@swojnowski453]

you do not adapt to it, you wait for it to pass, then when it does, just pick things that survived and are useful to you. Do not try to follow all the news and new things, it all diverges, there is no point coz in a year or two 99.9% will be irrelevant anyway. I have built my own website and post there at a pace I find comfortable for me, the outer space events have very little influence on this.

[@jaynebarry5658]

It’s not the rate of change, it’s the NEGATIVE quality of change.

[@patrickpanhuysen9618]

@kavorka8855 Erosion of respect for others caused by the use of "social media" . I will not ever use it.

[@noremac4807]

It’s both the rate and the nature of the change

[@jaynebarry5658]

@@noremac4807 if the changes were positive, we would be grateful they were arriving swiftly.

[@matthewatwood207]

@kavorka8855 it's the lead poisoning.

[@James-kv6kb]

Absolutely everything that was great about the world is now bad because the internet is doing it instead of normal people. Television is gone outdoor entertainment is gone live music gone so everybody is on tik tok acting like a 10-year-old it is certainly not a good substitute for what we had

[@timjonesvideos]

Alvin Toffler warned about all this years ago in his book 'Future Shock'.

[@mybachhertzbaud3074]

I thought his book "The Third Wave" described better what has actually come to pass.🤔

[@dhickey5919]

I'll check out that title. Thanks!

[@wilsonflood4393]

I read it but he didn't know about the internet.

[@James-kv6kb]

I was warning people about this 20 years ago but everybody wants to be a Google sheep and look what's happened.

[@buzz5969]

Never read it, never will…My life goes on…😊

[@bradleymosman8325]

"What about unintended consequences?", asked no scientist ever.

[@TrollDragomir]

Scientists ask that all the time, but the people who fund the research tell them it's not what they pay for. The atrociously low budget for safety and precautions research in the AI race is a good example of that.

[@atomictraveller]

you hear about voodoo, evildoers, but we sohuld talk about voodont, evildonters. jainism... may require a brane cell

[@swojnowski453]

@@TrollDragomir you can introduce things two ways: check all the elses first and then present the if, or just go for the if and ignore most or all of the elses. In capitalism the former is too slow, and the latter has in-built cost of errors in the price.

[@justinwilbur4094]

One could almost argue that this goes back to the baseline of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (security).

[@ph-vf5hx]

Those who are mentally unwell are no longer to fulfill even the bottom part of the hierarchy

[@lamusica1592]

The addition should be engaging in activity that doesn't involve screens. Screens are now involved in survival and leisure

[@dhickey5919]

Anyone invoking Maslow gets a thumbs up! Thanks!

[@AmazingJane137]

Exactly!

[@DoveringFifths]

It goes back to a 1970s bestseller called Future Shock.

[@daves-selfie-wilderness-raves]

'The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness' is a 2024 book by Jonathan Haidt which argues that the rise of smartphones and overprotective parenting have led to a "rewiring" of childhood and a rise in mental illness.

[@eric.mahoney6158]

It's called the misuse of technology on Australian children called mk ultra Guinea pig for scientists. When will they be jailed for using it.

[@Zar2244]

Protective parenting because there's more nutty people who like to harm kids I reckon, thanks to the internet at some level, those people look for nasty material on the net to watch and feed into their sickness

[@matthewatwood207]

Eh. I think it's the leaded gasoline. We already know that breathing it in turned two generations into criminals.

[@bambismomkelly7423]

I think mental illness was always there....we just didn't know enough about mental illness to know that that was what it was.

[@matthewatwood207]

@@bambismomkelly7423 it has always been there, but too much of it is caused by abuse, and gaslit about by abusers.

[@johnpayne6196]

He is 100% correct. My idea is that those selling products and or services are constantly advertising etc to sell their products. We are suckers for being sold anything not really needed.

[@canwelook]

@johnpayne6196 That gullibility's always been the case... which explains the existence of religions

[@swojnowski453]

Do not watch YT vids. stop them right at the beginning, even before the adds can kick off, and just read what people say in the comments. That's what I do. YT ads do not exist for me. For the rest, just install an add blocker. Pretty much clean field in terms of ads ..

[@johnpayne6196]

Sort of... But, sometimes the initial blurb does not, or misleadingly, suggest some gems contained within. Take care.

[@aecnqewimnazxclwdxl]

Freud made this same case 100 years ago in "Civilization and its Discontents." Still an interesting read.

[@rahinc]

The perfect example of relying too much on technology can be seen in this video: The subtitles’ misspelling.

[@James-kv6kb]

I'm surprised anyone can spell anymore with voice typing and cartoon faces to replace the English language . Also Google changes the words around because they want the idiot on the other end not to feel out of place because stupidity is good for business

[@shakeAbooty88]

I don't see any misspelling. Lack of punctuation: yes. Misspelling: no.

[@jonord3391]

The more complex, the more fragile.....,the more simple ,the more durable.

[@MikeSmith-cl4ix]

For a while, we might feel lost, but most of what is on the internet is fantasy.

[@swojnowski453]

and not worth a second of your attention

[@someblokecalleddave1]

I've been saying this for about 20 years, seems pretty obvious.

[@Thomas-h4n5h]

You're right, Richard. Human beings can't really be prepared for what we're doing do ourselves.

[@kelseymathias3881]

not enough in-person time and involvement and influence in family and local events...instead we have virtual encounters on the internet and fret about violence on the other side of the world about which we can do nothing....God help us.

[@Allanwify]

Ask anyone who moved from place to place during childhood and no safe homebase.

[@IntrigueAvenue]

In a world where Australians have to pay a million dollars for a roof over their heads in a capital city - it will have long-term dire consequences for a big chunk of the population. But hey, a certain group will get to minimize their taxes, so its a fair trade in the government's eyes (both parties).

[@TheParticlesWereConsumed]

On-point. A house in Australia costing $1,200,000 would cost under $400,000 in the United States in most cities.

[@ArnoldFreeman-n9g]

Skyrocketing housing costs is caused by immigration, but its a form of virtue signaling, “hey look I’m not racist”. So logic and reason is not working to stop it. The pain will have to get undeniable before people relent their current belief system.

[@andrewst9797]

Australia has lost the plot.

[@James-kv6kb]

The politicians are running a muck because they know there's no one to take their place it takes a long time to learn how to be a community leader and when adults are more interested in playing with toys and acting like their 10-years-old then becoming community leaders there's no one to replace them

[@bigdog594]

Mate,try buying a house in Auckland with a million dollars 😬You’d be lucky to buy a mud hut.The whole thing is a sort of casino rort .The PM owns seven and one of the first things they did was give landlords back their tax breaks😳🤯

[@erniebuchinski3614]

I call people who stare at their phones all day "palm zombies". I'm about as far from being an alarmist as a person can get, but it seems to me that the zombie apocalypse is sadly already here; it's just not the kind in a horror movie.

[@VonKirda]

My grandparents saw the invention of the car, airplane, electrification. the phone, 2 world wars, computers and landing on the moon. They did not get mentally ill. It is not technologies but characters that changed.

[@user-wt1jd4rc9n]

Maybe not your grandparents, and what about the rest of people?

[@swojnowski453]

those were analogue inventions, ours are digital, the latter influence the brain, hence the change.

[@skycloud4802]

In other words, people can't appreciate technology until they have lived without it. Ie no smartphones at a young age, go regular camping/tenting when young etc

[@maelughran6981]

Important to consider Dawkins' comments in context - because, of course, he is a well known atheist, and believes that everything around us (despite the obvious 'design') is pure coincidence. He offers the explanation that the impact of technology is responsible for mental health; alternatively, a lack of any form of spiritual connection may also account for it.

[@rabokarabekian409]

Saying "may" always requires "may not". No evidence or analysis inherently adheres to such a statement. Furthermore, whatever is meant here by "spiritual connection"? How is it that Dawkins being either an atheist or well-known is related to technology or spirit? Whatever demonstration could you provide for "obvious 'design'"? "Intelligent design" has already died its natural death. Neither Dawkins nor any other remotely scientific person has ever said all is pure coincidence. I feel you much misunderstand the determinism of selection. Man does not live by intellect alone. Emotions will have their say. Perhaps, we might agree that learning and respecting our personal limitations is a worthy pursuit?

[@canwelook]

@maelughran6981 Your suggestion that a lack of 'spiritual connection' somehow accounts for a rise in mental health issues suffers from a couple of major deficiencies: 1. You haven't defined exactly what you mean by the fluffy term 'spiritual connection'. 2. You have failed to provide any evidence supporting your hypothesis, and not even any logical or testable hypothesis of how this claimed causal relationship would develop. Nordic countries continually rank highest in surveys of happiness, health, social cohesion, etc. They also rank among the lowest in religiosity.

[@VintageSoloHarmony]

Anyone who takes the woo woo seriously is far more likely to be mentally ill.

[@mba321]

@@canwelook "Religiosity" does not = "spirituality". This is your error.

[@canwelook]

@@mba321 I never suggested or implied "Religiosity" = "Spirituality". This is your error. Perhaps you'd like to define what you mean by the nonsense term "spirituality"?

[@IusedtohaveausernameIliked]

When you can work from anywhere you end up working from everywhere. Personally, I don't think that's healthy.

[@michaelvan-vn9ku]

As a fairly intelligent 58 year old man still living a very dinamic life I realize I am not equipped to deal with all this information and stimuli. I really had to find a strategy to deal with all this technology which fortunately I did.

[@Zar2244]

Love this guy, a delight to listen to.

[@garyscott3656]

Vine Deloria ( Native American professor) predicted this decades ago. We are not meant to live like this

[@sjbechet1111]

It's only a problem because people abuse the tech for ease and self indulgence. They avoid challenges and discomfort and it makes them soft and less resilient. Only 150 years ago only 1 in 4 children made it to 5 years old, now there's an epic meltdown if one has to walk to school. That's the real problem.

[@rebeccaweil1]

Richard Dawkins is my hero. I read most of his books and his elegance and humor is sublime.

[@skypygmy1369]

You aimed low

[@rebeccaweil1]

@@skypygmy1369 now I wonder are an Oliver Sachs person Pygmy?

[@stevenfinch4238]

No matter where you point the finger, three point back at you. It's not the situation, it's your thoughts about it... everyone is trying to avoid accountability, responsibility - but, that is where your power is.

[@noremac4807]

Why does this just end so suddenly?

[@sharonhall1909]

When I read about the lives of the American homesteaders who lived in the 1700 & 1800's, I am impressed with their skills. They grew their own food, made their clothes & shoes & built their homes. The whole family was involved in these tasks & they took care of themselves. They entertained themselves playing musical instruments & telling stories. Today we are dependent on technology & outside production of food & goods. What will we do if the grid permanently goes down?

[@AlethiaQian-n2f]

aimentalhealthadvisor AI fixes this. Dawkins warns about technology's dangers.

[@swojnowski453]

AI fixes nothing, coz there is no AI, then if there is one, do not believe the hype.

[@SaffronHorizon]

The availability of information on the internet does seem to have a correlation with ignorance though. Why bother remembering anything if you can access the information you need a matter a seconds after you take your phone out of your pocket?

[@andrewst9797]

A constant overload of infotainment

[@BoltRM]

Realized I was watching this video at 1.5x speed

[@nevergiveup1533]

The Unabomber was right..

[@johnbatch9276]

Where i was being raised in the 50s people took the time to communicate properly with other people the art of conversation was a comfort to millions of people then and i guess even at an early age i took these life lessons on board in this day and age its such a helter skelter world and people dont communicate that easily suppose the Internet and the modern technology at our disposal could be to blame for the rise in mental health issues personally there is nothing more comforting than to have your chat out with your fellow man face to face it is good we move on with modern technology but lets not forget the old values from the past

[@SneakySteevy]

The causes are never external. They are internal. "People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them." - Epictetus "We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them." - Epictetus "You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." - Marcus Aurelius

[@planetfocus911]

I have been a follower of this great man, Richard Dawkins for some time now, one of the few individuals with clear insight into what matters and foresight of the path we are on. "Few people have the imagination for reality." - J W v Goethe.

[@franciscosard]

This idea of the technology evolving so fast that people can't adapt, was already explained in Alvin Toffler's book "Future Schock", written in 1970.

[@deductivereasoning4257]

All books written back then were written in hopes of a TV or movie deal, that's why none are relevant today. And those amateur authors wrote of the future because they weren't talented enough to write about the present day. If you look at the classics, all are written about the present day, none are based in history or future predictions. Leo Tolstoy, the author of War & Peace, said historians are hack authors that chose to write about history because they can't write anything interesting. He's right. There is no need for historians if you have talented authors writing about the present day. All historians heavily rely on the writings of past authors. Well, the same logic can be applied to the authors of the recent past that wrote about future doom. Leo Tolstoy would surely call Alvin Toffler a hack...

[@jlvandat69]

Brilliant. He nailed it. This explains several disturbing trends in America, e.g. The enormous increase in homelessness, the rise of the MAGA movement, escalating road rage, and a high teenage suicide rate. Rapid change + social media = a deadly cocktail. We need an antidote.

[@CSUnger]

LOL at “ the rise of MAGA movements” but no complaint at the “rise of government involvement in every aspect of one’s personal life.

[@atomictraveller]

nah. this explains it: when you make america Great again, check for that G word on the logo of a certain fraternity. john quincy adams was a member of the anti-theseguys-party. no one today is. remember OJ? remember the MKULTRA child r4pe verdict on the same date? you do not if you are in the u.s.a. now. go through your list. and, forget about all of that. save the west papuans. they still function like humans should.

[@foraminuteforaminute4056]

As a far-rightist myself, I'll even agree with the MAGA movement assessment, though likely for a different reason: I find them too hyperfocused on narrow topics -- though many of them I agree with in principle, however to a lesser extent -- and therefore prone to radicalization.

[@CSUnger]

@@foraminuteforaminute4056 What did Goldwater say about "extremism"? Sometimes it is warranted.

[@scottythetrex5197]

LOL The rise of the MAGA movement? The disturbing trend is that people still think that's the problem.

[@Douglas-nj5cr]

This sounds like an ad for something

[@ritahorvath8207]

Because of the so called " background music " which is way too loud and totally unnecessary .

[@ws5246]

2000AD comic had some of its characters suffer from something called "future shock". "Future Shock is the condition suffered by Futsies. It is a form of mental illness, caused by the stress of rapid changes in society." Precognition?

[@squamish4244]

It's a nuanced issue. The Internet allowed me to access mental health aid that has been absolutely essential. All of the issues I have struggled with either developed before the Internet was much of anything or developed independently of it. In fact, had my doctor bothered to used the medical information available in five minutes on the database all doctors use, he would have provided me with proper information about one condition that I could have stopped from developing right off the bat or in several visits after that in the critical first months, so *lack* of use of the Internet worked against me in an extremely important situation. I eventually successfully filed a complaint against him for gross negligence.

[@SteveJones379]

The ideology of capitalism has failed, there are $36+ trillion reason to prove it. Democracy, although a noble philosophy, has also failed because capitalism and democracy are currently hand in hand. When you have a democracy, people vote for more spending, and the politicians give it to them. This is the cause of the failure. Effeciency is thrown out the window. Efficiency is a law of physics of living long and well. This will crash sooner than later. ☮

[@BigFred458]

Drive out to the country, maybe 25 miles outside of the big city. Not suburbs, but USA country. Keep a watch out and find a small house with a large usually steel shed near it. Go into that shed and you will find welding machines, sometimes a small forge and even a small still brewing up some whiskey. This is called 'the shop' and everything necessary to have rudimentary living, to include the making of tools is in most country 'shops.' Walk behind the shop and there is the pond with edible fish in it, ducks and geese on the pond, the chicken coop near the shop and a bit further on is the 'garden plot.' Often on the other side of the field and under some tree's is where you find the bee hives. If you're looking for those who can rebuild a broken world - that is where they are, still living independently, in the vast open countryside of the USA.

[@anthonymorris5084]

Always beware of people who love to tell everyone else how to live.

[@CSUnger]

Unfortunately, when it all collapses, the hordes who have not prepared for it will overrun this.

[@Patriot-e4m]

Very true, internet addiction is becoming a huge health/social problem globally.

[@WillaLamour]

He’s an evolutionary biologist - not a psychologist, not a psychiatrist, not a medical Doctor. He also has some very bizarre views - some of which are akin to the racist and sexist views of James Watson of DNA discovery dame. Why you guys chose this guy when there are sooooo many other, more suitable and qualified people is completely bewildering.

[@rosabscura]

But you haven’t given any examples. How are we supposed to take you seriously??

[@deanodog3667]

Like who Jordan Peterson lol

[@swojnowski453]

you listen to everyone, then test their hypotheses to see to what degree they are true. There is something in every piece of bs, if you care to take a closer look.

[@LongTomH]

Alvin Toffler talked about this in 1970: Future Shock.

[@vagabounder3463]

Good luck fixing that without treating the soul.

[@youaresoft-ee4ub]

YOU ARE ALL MEDICATED. THIS ISNT UP FOR DEBATE.... YOU LOST.

[@mikezooper]

I've been saying this for a decade. Finally someone with stature is saying it too. I work in IT but I've pulled away. I now have a dumbphone and I'm maximising my time in nature. Meditating in it. I feel so much better. My dumbphone doesn't give off blue light. Some friends ditch you when you reduce your technology dependence, just as some people ditch their drug addict friends when someone gives up drugs, however, it's the best way forward.

[@richardventus1875]

All true ....but God's word, guidance and love never changes.

[@diliupg]

The internet is not responsible for anything. It's the inability of the humans who use it to decide what to do with their time and use it wisely. Also everyone must understand that they can't expect it others to behave the way they want.

[@Wrensan]

Totally agree: It’s overwhelming

[@Jazna1]

good content, hate the distracting music.

[@nolaspeaker5656]

The world has simply become too complex for most people to cope with it.

[@theprior46]

Someone who sees with frightening clarity where the human race is getting unable to cope. Incredible man with fascinating views.

[@joycee5493]

I think the increasing density of humans is a big part of mental health issues. We did not evolve with so much stress related to so many people…crowded roads, crowded stores etc

[@badminton5920]

"Science and technology are dangerous toys in the hands of those not psychologically equipped to handle them." Carl Jung.

[@JasonMomoa999]

I love that social media allows me to share my creations and to eventually network with talent agents again on FB. First time I got hacked, my identity stolen and cyber harassed by many online abusive narcissists. This time I will only network with talent agents. No others, no actors.

[@atomictraveller]

wait til you figure out the entire in dust tree is m45ons and friends. if that's where you gotsta be, don't be too ambitious :p

[@SolMuun]

It's called "Future Shock."

[@nathanblaine2611]

"One man's internet is another man's trash" - Thomas Newton

[@James-kv6kb]

OK so how about you tell us what you think instead of just repeating what someone else said like a parrot

[@raspberryleaf3741]

Didn't Baroness Greenfield say something similar a good few years back?🤔

[@ClearOutSamskaras]

If the internet were wiped out, it would be a drag, but we would not be "lost".

[@stevejjd]

This is not a new idea at all. Its been known about for years and I think Iain McGilchrist wrote a book about it.

[@massimo4227]

It’s impossible to be kind, this is what we have created

[@animelodies-_-]

Good video, but your text is too fast. Add a second, please 👍💯

[@uffdude2936]

God bless Richard Dawkins!

[@Steven-w6h]

He’s right! Take away our electricity and we wouldn’t know how to survive!

[@BarriosGroupie]

Note also that the Internet allows us to transmit information at almost the speed of light.

[@brianpistolwhip]

I think it's soaring costs and feeling isolated. It feels impossible or unbelievably hard to shape my own life. So tired of working so hard for so little, how many times am I supposed to get an education and try a different career? How the f did housing get so expensive, and salaries remain so low?

[@XXjg_]

Interesting perspective. Ironic, though, that he’s addressing two robots.

[@LesleyDT6227]

He’s probably right.

[@robertklund4861]

If they survived in the 1800's without the internet, so can we.

[@rockpadstudios]

I have to say I find it harder to concentrate because there is so much information at my finger tips.

[@atomictraveller]

HSS satellites and witchcraft also

[@bigsister9354]

Hmm, I think, we can live without the Internet in these days, because majority of the population lived without it and still know how things worked in the past. But it would be an like instant ramen without MSG. Still edible but not so tasty.

[@themiddleman3060]

Go out and be with people. Today!

[@georgeblackley6028]

This man is 100% right in everything he says and thinks.

[@illegalsmirf]

A lot of us feel hopeless and while not actively suicidal it's really a matter of staying alive because we can't be bothered doing otherwise (path of least resistance)

[@swojnowski453]

just go out, see trees in the park, leave digital bs alone for a week or two, life has not changed as much as most of us think.

[@Indrid__Cold]

The interdependence is, hopefully, the aspect of modern existence that will keep a lid on global conflicts because we have never been closer in my lifetime.

[@yaelfeder9042]

I don’t think it’s making people “ill” per se just unhappy and unsatisfied, maybe burned out.

[@manjarichatterji9349]

As a non scientist I think so too. Technology and the fast pace extract more mental strength from people In some it causes destabilizing anxiety

[@susiefairfield7218]

People don't like change. But make the change fast enough and you go from one type of normal to another. ~ Terry Pratchett

[@christinakraftician]

There is no human accountability with technology. We allow that to happen. We take out the human accountability.

[@9000ck]

There is such a thing as a library, Richard. You spent much time in them as a younger man. Yes the loss of the internet would lead to an economic collapse, but people and the bulk of human knowledge and skill would survive it.

[@wilsonflood4393]

I'm not coping. No FB, no Instagram, no TikTok, no Whatsapp, no X, no banking apps. Can't be bothered. KZbin is my limit. Hardly ever use the mobile phone. How people can spend so much time on their phones amazes me.

[@ellenscott6793]

Yep, everyone 30 years and younger would not know how to function if we lost electricity.

[@swojnowski453]

you are a battery, if you lose electricity you die, it is a part of life. They would not know how to get more energy to continue living, but as you get more desperate you learn quicker and you will find a way.