The Convivial Society $5 / month

The Convivial Society explores the intersection of technology, society, and the human condition, questioning the impact of technological advancement on genuine human connection, the rhythms of life, and our abilities to lead fulfilling lives. It delves into themes of digital distraction, the quest for control versus care, and the value of inefficiency and crookedness in human nature.

Technology and Society Human Connection Artificial Intelligence Mental Health Personal Fulfillment Digital Culture Parenting and Technology Societal Norms and Pressure

The hottest Substack posts of The Convivial Society

And their main takeaways

The Cat in the Tree: Why AI Content Leaves Us Cold

2628 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Art Technology Philosophy Human experience Society
  1. AI-generated content can be technically impressive but often feels dull and forgettable to many people. It lacks the emotional warmth that comes from human creativity.
  2. Unexpected discoveries, like finding a charming painting in nature, can bring genuine delight and a sense of connection. This feeling of surprise adds value to human-made art.
  3. The essence of art lies in human intention and presence. Simple acts of creativity can create a sense of companionship and joy, forming connections in a lonely world.

Life Cannot Be Delegated

2609 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Technology Humanity Philosophy Society Tradition
  1. Life is about personal involvement and cannot be handed off to technology. When we let technology take over important parts of our lives, we miss out on what makes life meaningful.
  2. We should think carefully about how much we delegate to technology. There are limits to how much we can rely on it before it stops helping us and starts taking away from our experience of life.
  3. Everyday tasks and responsibilities are not distractions; they are part of what shapes our lives. Embracing the mundane can help us find purpose and meaning in our actions.

To Hell With Good Intentions, Silicon Valley Edition

2805 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Society Innovation Cultural influence
  1. Good intentions in technology can sometimes lead to unintended harm. It's important for developers to consider how their innovations affect people's lives.
  2. We should listen to the needs of the communities we want to help, instead of imposing our own ideas of what's best for them. Understanding their perspectives is key to making a real difference.
  3. Technologies should empower people and enhance their abilities rather than create new forms of dependency. We need to focus on how tech can genuinely improve lives.

The Enclosure of the Human Psyche

3751 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Digital Culture Media Studies Social theory Psychology
  1. We need to protect our minds from being controlled by technology. Just like how land was taken away from the public, our thoughts and feelings can also be captured and managed by companies.
  2. Our smartphones feel personal, but they constantly collect information about us. It creates a sense that our devices know our thoughts when they only analyze our data.
  3. Silence and quiet time are essential for our mental health. When technology distracts us, it steals our chance to think deeply and connect with others.

Amulets Against the Spirits of the Age

2746 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Moral Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Metaphysics
  1. Certain phrases or quotes can act like protective charms, helping us to see and understand the world better. These words can guide, comfort, and shape how we think.
  2. It's important to take responsibility for our actions and the world around us. Recognizing our role can help address deep problems in society.
  3. Being attentive to others is crucial for moral growth. True love and art come from realizing that there are realities beyond ourselves.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Audio Versions Are Back

443 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🎙 Podcasts Essays
  1. Audio versions of recent essays are available on Substack, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify for those who prefer listening over reading.
  2. Consider supporting the author's work through patronage options, including standard rates, student discounts, and permanent 20% off. This support helps sustain the newsletter.
  3. The author shares personal insights, such as literary references and nature photos, alongside updates, creating a more engaging and diverse reading experience for subscribers.

A brief update

403 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
📰 News
  1. Regular posting will resume shortly
  2. The post is for paid subscribers only
  3. Author acknowledges absence of posts

Apocalyptic AI

9 HN points • 07 Apr 23
🔬 Science Technology Philosophy History Religion Art
  1. Thinking cogently and insightfully about AI is a challenge due to its evolving nature and broad use.
  2. AI researchers often feel a responsibility to usher in a new form of intelligence, reminiscent of historical testimonies on technological advancements.
  3. AI is revealing the end of a world as modernity expires and the culture of technological modernity becomes increasingly hostile to the human person.

The Art of Living

2 HN points • 01 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Life Art Learning Virtue Humanity
  1. Living is an art that involves working creatively within the constraints of our human existence.
  2. Embracing the idea of an 'art of living' emphasizes the importance of cultivating virtues and skills rather than seeking quick fixes or hacks for self-improvement.
  3. Modern consumer culture promotes limitless consumption but does not lead to true fulfillment; practicing the 'art of living' involves accepting and celebrating the limits of our embodied existence.

Secularization Comes for the Religion of Technology: Or, how to make sense of techno-optimist manifestos, the Open Ai/Altman affair, EA/e-acc movements, and the general sense of cultural stagnation

2 HN points • 23 Feb 24
🔬 Science Technology History Culture Religion Society
  1. Secularization has affected the dominant religion of technology, shifting cultural beliefs and values.
  2. The concept of the 'religion of technology' involves a deep entanglement of religious and techno-scientific elements over time.
  3. The religion of technology peaked in the 1939 New York World's Fair, exemplifying a moment of cultural dominance that has since waned.

Vision Con

2 HN points • 09 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Tech news Digital Media Virtual reality Digital Technologies Tech Ethics
  1. Apple's release of Vision Pro headset has sparked discussions on the implications of technology on our perception of time and attention.
  2. The debate around using Vision Pro in everyday scenarios raises questions about living as a 'creature' vs. living as a 'machine.'
  3. Embracing fullness of presence and depth of experience in everyday moments may lead to a renewed sense of connection and enchantment with the real world.

Render Unto the Machine

3 HN points • 08 Jul 23
🕹 Technology AI Automation Technology impact Ethics
  1. AI is being used to automate mundane, repetitive tasks that humans have been conforming to in various contexts.
  2. The acceptance of AI displacing humans may stem from a societal trend of deskilling and outsourcing core human competencies.
  3. Encountering genuine human interaction in a world of automated responses and efficiency-driven interactions can be a revitalizing and important experience.

The One Best Way Is a Trap

3 HN points • 22 May 23
🎭️ Culture Tech Society Philosophy Books Media
  1. The pursuit of relentless optimization can lead to a mental health crisis by creating unattainable goals and unsustainable pressures.
  2. Living in a society ordered by the search for the 'one best way' can produce anxiety, fear, compulsiveness, and self-loathing.
  3. Compensatory techniques designed to alleviate the pressure of relentless optimization can themselves succumb to the imperatives of optimization, as seen in digital technologies.