I was 17.
Those were the days where I frequented Orkut on a daily basis to share everyday updates on life, and writing testimonials for people you knew or not. Mind you, these were the good ol' days, before Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIN; days before they had taken over our private and professional lives. Back then, these were exciting spaces, because that's where you could find all the 'coolest' folks from your school and college. You created an account, because your friend, her boyfriend, her exes, her crush, here friends were all using these platforms websites. You wanted to see; you wanted to be seen. You wanted to have it all, and feared missing out on what's happening in people's lives.
By 2015, after an incremental ascent, things just blew up. Digital selves became a quasi-representation of of truest selves. Waking life was raging with constant rush of endorphins where digital lives became more exciting and fulfulling than your actual, everyday existence.
Fast forward, 2023. Digital is a new normal. A digital nomad draws more suspicion than ever. Could he be a sociopath? Or some 'sleeper agent' laying low until the opportune moment arrive? Those are a few thoughts people could have. Digital footprints bring you credilibity, and contributes greatly to you social networks, status, and self-worth. If you not digital, you might be as good as dead.
But how can we leverage the power of digital media to read widely? to publish more than ever? or to be known for our intellectual prowess? Those are few of the questions I've been considering for the past few years. While get off the social media bandwagon has reined in my impulsive self, there is much more to explore and understand how I can effective live a life where I ensure a principled distance from all things digital, and yet unlock its potential for better my understanding of myself, and the larger world around me.
This blog is that one-last attempt. I'll try to write as much as possible, share as much information (readings, videos) as possible, and introduce ideas, ideological moorings around commons, platforms and markets. With that I also intend to share about music, movies, and art and literature and what not.
As I start this experiment, I hope it serves as a thought machine (the one which progresses forward) and a repository of all things that I read.
