These three pieces have stuck with me. Most writing on the internet doesn’t. And I read a fair amount of the internet!
Why?
The first piece is an excellent review of the author whose landmark first book I’m reading now. Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, is the kind of book I devour but want to last forever. Annie Dillard is some kind of prophet. William Deresiewicz, another author I like, has some well-written questions for her.
How the Amish approach technology is smart. They may appear to be luddites. They’re not. They don’t assume newer/faster/cheaper is anything worth valuing. Turning technopoly on its head makes their communities better able to maximize technology itself.
The meditation under the simplicity headline this week is simple and thus remarkable. It sticks with you.
Reading
Newsworthy
Why Annie Dillard Stopped Publishing New MaterialWhy the author has become so much less prolific over the past 17 years. |
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Technopoly
To be more tech-savvy, borrow these strategies from the AmishWith their focus on values and intentionality, the Amish offer a lesson in thinking critically about digital technology. |
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Simplicity
It Won't Always Be Like ThisShoes on, in a light jacket, I walked my daughter to school today. The birds—robins, cardinals, all the Mid-Atlantic chatterers—wished us a good morning and good day. The sky was blue, and wild violets dotted the yards we passed. |
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