Our aspirations might be vaunting past what humans are generally capable of. I completely agree with you, but since I see over and over (and over) that only direct relationships engender change, I finally conclude that this is where humanity is at. We can call it a bug if we like, but it doesn't mean we can change it.

It only looks like a bug now because we are insisting on building complex, globalized societal configurations which don't play well with that limitation.

Doesn't globalizing promote the creation of more direct relationships, with a broad diversity of people? Giving one a spectrum of ideas and experiences - thereby engendering change?

It was useful, thanks! I've definitely seen this in tech, esp. the latter case, which I've seen make smart people who deserve better miserable.

I'm interested, and will probably try it. But! I'll keep the # of sick days the same. They are wellness days, when I take care of other business.

The south is very friendly. I think it's because people have time...somehow not hooked up entirely to the cult of productivity.

Why is this downvoted? As an American (48 yrs) living the last 15 in Europe, I see it exactly the same as vlastjj here.

Munich is the same (as Kiev).

I quit social media after divorce, recognizing that no one could have had any idea we were struggling as a couple. I found our projected persona to be sharp-edged and inhuman. Such tools create more isolation that they appear to alleviate.

Sharp edged is the right phrase! I used to think appearance could get you somewhere until all the preening and signalling behaviour went online. Now it is too sharpened to be useful except for selling stuff. There's some at the tip of the blade making hay while the sun shines, with a lot of people getting cut on the way down.

Yes. All that aggressively postured success creates feelings of alienation, not only from your friends but the whole society. The people doing it don't understand how it looks on the outside. To rediscover the joy of people, I had to leave those places they built.

I've often thought that the loss of smoking means less mixing of classes that wouldn't have reason to say one word to each other.

Smoking creates small favors and the need to ask for them. Phones don't do this.

Your comment is delightful.

It is not possible to over-post Adam Curtis. The range of ideas in his videos is fantastic.

Those loopholes are features, not bugs. They allow the mind to close the door to consideration of reflexive problems. Those with a feedback loop back to the self. It really simplifies existence! xD