This is so perfectly timed. As we experience the continued onslaught of AI disruption and social media connections, the antidotes are slowing down, intentional detachment from technology, building human connections, and being outside in nature more. To your point about painful economic structures going away when they aren’t wanted, the same is true for AI and social media. We have autonomy over our time. What we pay attention to grows. Thank you for sharing this.
As I read your list for the Age of Connection, I notice how each listing is countered by AI "slop" being developed at breakneck speed. I am reminded of the Eagles "Hotel California" lyrics:
"Mirrors on the ceiling
The pink champagne on ice, and she said
"We are all just prisoners here
Of our own device"
In our mad pursuit of the next "bright shiny thing", are we digging our own graves?
Greetings from Palm Beach, Australia. When we gather here, we often sit with this question together:
“How valuable do we intend this experience to be?”
It’s been surprisingly grounding for us. We were wondering — is there another question you’ve found that carries a similar kind of depth or power? One that opens a room in the same way?
Hi Ness. Other questions in same vein are “how participative do I plan to be? “ Why was it important for me to be here today? “ these questions carry the experience of each person as a producer of this moment.
Thanks for your commitment to the experience of agency for those you touch.
Living in northern Spain for the past few years, I see how differently a culture that is more oriented toward connection functions. So much of what you’ve noted is common practice here in Spain - and I notice especially how much inter-generational connection there is in daily life.
For instance, last week a friend invited me to “tomar algo” (which basically means sit in a cafe and have a little bit to eat and/or drink while you talk) with her and her three young adult daughters.
We were joined by another friend, Pilar, who just turned 90. So the six of us, ranging in age from 21 to 90, hung out and laughed and talked for a couple of hours: sharing, and learning, and enjoying each others’ company.
I am with you. I'm somehow going to save this, refer to it, consider it, share it. So much of this resonates and inspires me to want more conversation and exploration about it.
My work for years has been around this concept of Connection. I look forward to exploring this further.
Also, I'm curious to explore accountability. While I have my own understanding of it as an idea and a practice, I'm curious what it means to you, and looks like in action in your ideal model of it.
Accountability complicated. Has to be chosen. Only real among equals. Conversation with God as much as the world. In practice occurs in moments of dissent and acknowkedge I have served to create what most bothers me.
Thank you Peter. I agree it's complicated, and that at its core is about self accountability and responsibility.
I tend to orient toward curiosity when considering accountability. Have I accomplished what I intended, or agreed to do? If so, what helped? If not, what got in the way? It becomes about choice vs. blame - what will I choose the next time I'm faced with the opportunity for connection?
Thanks Sally. Is it too much to ask you to invite HR to put connecting peers as their top priority?
This is so perfectly timed. As we experience the continued onslaught of AI disruption and social media connections, the antidotes are slowing down, intentional detachment from technology, building human connections, and being outside in nature more. To your point about painful economic structures going away when they aren’t wanted, the same is true for AI and social media. We have autonomy over our time. What we pay attention to grows. Thank you for sharing this.
As I read your list for the Age of Connection, I notice how each listing is countered by AI "slop" being developed at breakneck speed. I am reminded of the Eagles "Hotel California" lyrics:
"Mirrors on the ceiling
The pink champagne on ice, and she said
"We are all just prisoners here
Of our own device"
In our mad pursuit of the next "bright shiny thing", are we digging our own graves?
Perfect . Thank youJohn. Prisoners of our device. Love that song. AI is the chanpagne.
Greetings from Palm Beach, Australia. When we gather here, we often sit with this question together:
“How valuable do we intend this experience to be?”
It’s been surprisingly grounding for us. We were wondering — is there another question you’ve found that carries a similar kind of depth or power? One that opens a room in the same way?
With gratitude,
Ness
Palm Beach, Australia
Hi Ness. Other questions in same vein are “how participative do I plan to be? “ Why was it important for me to be here today? “ these questions carry the experience of each person as a producer of this moment.
Thanks for your commitment to the experience of agency for those you touch.
This is all so useful and true, Peter!
Living in northern Spain for the past few years, I see how differently a culture that is more oriented toward connection functions. So much of what you’ve noted is common practice here in Spain - and I notice especially how much inter-generational connection there is in daily life.
For instance, last week a friend invited me to “tomar algo” (which basically means sit in a cafe and have a little bit to eat and/or drink while you talk) with her and her three young adult daughters.
We were joined by another friend, Pilar, who just turned 90. So the six of us, ranging in age from 21 to 90, hung out and laughed and talked for a couple of hours: sharing, and learning, and enjoying each others’ company.
Connection.
I love this. It is fantastic, Peter. Thank you.
I am with you. I'm somehow going to save this, refer to it, consider it, share it. So much of this resonates and inspires me to want more conversation and exploration about it.
My work for years has been around this concept of Connection. I look forward to exploring this further.
Also, I'm curious to explore accountability. While I have my own understanding of it as an idea and a practice, I'm curious what it means to you, and looks like in action in your ideal model of it.
Accountability complicated. Has to be chosen. Only real among equals. Conversation with God as much as the world. In practice occurs in moments of dissent and acknowkedge I have served to create what most bothers me.
Thank you Peter. I agree it's complicated, and that at its core is about self accountability and responsibility.
I tend to orient toward curiosity when considering accountability. Have I accomplished what I intended, or agreed to do? If so, what helped? If not, what got in the way? It becomes about choice vs. blame - what will I choose the next time I'm faced with the opportunity for connection?
Love your article. Thank you.
Yes.
Wonderful article.
But I think one point is missing from the list of 6 items above: It's that we need to overcome our obsession with acceptance: https://nielspflaeging.substack.com/p/to-get-unstuck-first-get-rid-of-your
Yes . Understand that dissent is the heartbeat of commitment.