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Dopamine Culture Dialogue
Dear Subscriber:
I invite you to participate in the “Dopamine Culture” dialogue that a few friends and I have initiated on this Google Doc. If you let me know you want to join, I’ll give you permission to edit the doc directly.
The dialogue began with this post:
Dear Friends,”
Please comment on the following.
Wade
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In Desire, Dopamine, and the Internet, L. M. Sacasas, editor of The Convivial Society, argues
Part of what is going on is that, having grown up with devices at the ready, many people are now simply unable to imagine how to live apart from the steady stream of stimuli that they supply.
Human beings will naturally seek distractions rather than confront their own thoughts in moments of solitude and quiet because those thoughts will eventually lead them to consider unpleasant matters such as their own mortality, the vanity of their endeavors, and the general frailty of the human condition.
We are all of us kings now surrounded by devices whose only purpose is to prevent us from thinking about ourselves.
As Pascal wrote, “Nothing could be more wretched than to be intolerably depressed as soon as one is reduced to introspection with no means of diversion.”
Sacasas defines “sloth” as “a lack of energy and discipline in pursuit of the good…. We might also be turning away from duties, responsibilities, and obligations we ought to be more vigorously pursuing.”
He asks, “What am I looking for when I scroll?”
One answer to this question is simple and obvious — we’re looking for each other. We’re looking, in other words, for human connection. We are social creatures and among our most profound immaterial needs is the need for community. We will seek to meet this need by whatever means we have available to us….
“We are addicted to one another,” (Alan) Jacobs argued, “to the affirmation of our value — our very being — that comes from other human beings. We are addicted to being validated by our peers.”
The problem with social media platforms is not just that they seek to hook us on their products, it’s also that they offer themselves as the answer to profound human desires, which they are ultimately unable to satisfy. We are promised well-being and even joy, but are instead enlisted into a form of life that yields burnout, unhappiness, loneliness, and cynicism.
This is a problem is not limited to tech companies, it is the problem at the root of our entire economic order.
We are also looking for intellectual connection, which is just another way of saying that we long to know. We desire an understanding of things and take pleasure in learning. Just as with our desire for community, the desire for knowledge is itself both deeply rooted in us and deeply good. Both can orient us toward the path of human flourishing. Indeed, I’m tempted to say that the whole of the human condition could be summed up this way: we desire to know and to be known.
Participants can receive email notifications of new edits with Tools/Notification Settings.Edits while viewing the doc — or visit the page at their convenience.
Again, I invite you to participate in the “Dopamine Culture” dialogue on this Google Doc. If you let me know you want to join, I’ll give you permission to edit the doc directly.
Yours,
Wade
Desire, Dopamine, and the Internet
Human beings will naturally seek distractions rather than confront their own thoughts in moments of solitude and quiet because those thoughts will eventually lead them to consider unpleasant matters such as their own mortality, the vanity of their endeavors, and the general frailty of the human condition.
Desire, Dopamine, and the Internet by L. M. Sacasas
Supercommunicators
Charles Duhigg, author, “Supercommuicators,” Interview
Well, whether it is expletive filled letter writing or the kind of political campaigning we discussed earlier in the program, there’s one skill they both require and that is effective communication. Of course, throughout history and still today, it’s a tool of the powerful for both good and bad, but it’s also crucial in all of our daily lives, in the workplace, in our personal relationships, and more than ever online.
So, how can we communicate better and make that a force for positive change? Author Charles Duhigg explores this question in his new book, “Supercommunicators.” And here he is speaking to Walter Isaacson.
WALTER ISAACSON, CO-HOST, AMANPOUR AND CO.: Thank you, Christiane. And, Charles Duhigg, welcome to the show.
CHARLES DUHIGG, AUTHOR, “SUPERCOMMUNICATORS”: Thank you for having me.
ISAACSON: So, this book, “Supercommunicators,” it’s all about how to have a great conversation, how to convince people. Tell me, what is the point of a conversation?
DUHIGG: It’s a great question. The point of a conversation is to understand each other, right? It’s not to convince you that I’m right and you’re wrong or that you should like me or think I’m smart. The point of a conversation and a conversation is a success, if I understand how you see the world and I’m able to speak in a way that you understand how I see the world. And that means that we could walk away from that conversation disagreeing with each other and it’s still a success.
ISAACSON: But what you talk about is that a conversation must make a connection. What do you mean by that?
DUHIGG: What we know about when we have conversations is that our neural activity becomes similar. And that makes sense because when I describe an
emotion to you or an idea, you actually experience that emotion or that idea a little bit.
Within psychology and neurology, this is known as neural entrainment. And it’s at the core of how we communicate with each other. And so, when we make that connection, when we have a great conversation, when we feel like we’re on the same wavelength, it feels wonderful because our brains have evolved to crave that kind of communication and connection….
And one of the things that we know about conversations is that when we ask questions, when we ask a special kind of question known as a deep question, it tends to change a monologue into a dialogue because we really listen to the other person. And when we prove that we’re listening, they become more willing to listen to us.
Why Biden Is Unpopular
Fareed on Why Biden Is Unpopular
Despite a Strong Economy
By Fareed Zakaria
“…The left needs to play more effectively on the new crossroads of politics, where culture and class have replaced economics.”
Tim Wu on the Economy
This Is the Best Way for Biden to Talk About the Economy
By Tim Wu
To succeed in the 2024 election, Mr. Biden needs to convince voters that he has begun a long fight against today’s toxic form of capitalism. He needs them to understand that he is making the economy fairer and more productive. He needs to explain that Donald Trump’s invocations of economic grievance are real and justified…
Tim Wu
The New York Times
Enemies, Saviors, and Reconciliation
Enemies, Saviors, and Reconciliation
By Wade Lee Hudson
Our winner-take-all society demonizes “enemies,” elevates “saviors,” and promotes hyper-partisanship. Alternatively, King’s Philosophy of nonviolent struggle recommends that activists pursue reconciliation.
Nonviolence seeks friendship and understanding with the opponent. Nonviolence does not seek to defeat the opponent. Nonviolence is directed against evil systems, forces, oppressive policies, unjust acts, but not against persons. Through reasoned compromise, both sides resolve the injustice with a plan of action. Each act of reconciliation is one step closer to the Beloved Community.
I’d love to see Democrats control Congress and the White House. Too often, however, Democrats dismiss Trump supporters as “irredeemable deplorables,” express amazement about how anyone could vote for Trump, and don’t try to understand his supporters. This approach is counterproductive.
To clarify my understanding, I asked ChatGPT, “Why does Trump’s base support him?” Its response included:
- Populist Messaging: Trump’s populist approach appeals to many voters who feel disenfranchised or ignored by the political establishment….
- He is promising to prioritize the interests of the United States.
- Anti-Establishment Sentiment: Trump’s non-politician background and tendency to challenge political norms and the status quo appeal to those disillusioned with traditional politicians and the political establishment.
- His supporters often accuse the mainstream media of being biased.
- For some, Trump’s positions on social and cultural issues, including his opposition to political correctness and his support for law enforcement, align with their values and concerns.
- Their support is as much about belonging to a community or movement as it is about policy or ideology.
David Brooks wrote:
We’re in the middle of the global surge in populism. Populism is belief that there’s a conflict, a class conflict. And the conflict is between the real Americans and the globalized elites. And in America, it’s mostly measured by levels of education. So it’s people with a high school degree who tend to be working class and feel they are being oppressed, looked down upon, condescended to, and morally scorned by members of the highly educated elites who live along the coasts.
Fareed Zakaria summarizes the issues as “class, culture, and tribalism.”
Compassion-minded people must address these concerns by building a united grassroots movement that promotes pragmatic populism and meets the need for deep community. The Democratic Party can support this effort with this message:
Many Americans feel powerless, disrespected, resentful, insecure, and neglected — for good reason. Our society primarily serves the interests of the wealthy elite, the highly educated, and those who hold positions of power.
The Democratic Party has not adequately addressed these realities. We must do better. We must change how we organize our society and treat each other.
We need a moral America. We must honor the Golden Rule and treat others as we would want them to treat us if we were in their shoes. We must talk less, listen more, and fight for compassionate policies most Americans support.
Wealthy and powerful elites are selfish. They want more money and power to tell others what to do. They don’t worry about how they hurt others and the environment. Too many Americans admire them and do the same. We can do better.
We, the American people, can stand together and care for others, knowing we depend on each other. We can help each other and our society become kinder and fairer. We can set up ways to help people better understand each other, including ways for citizens to engage in dialogue with elected officials.
We can guarantee everyone a dignified life rooted in economic security. We can break up monopolies that keep prices too high. We can limit Big Money in politics and lobbyists going back and forth through “the revolving door” between corporations and Congress. We can stop elected officials from investing in the stock market and using their office to enrich themselves. We can stop the government from violating individual liberties and ensure the government is no larger than needed to promote the general welfare. We can strengthen family farms and rural economies. We can enforce laws against discrimination, prevent cruel and unusual punishment, and ensure everyone can vote in free and fair elections.
These are some of the steps we can take to move forward. Congress must determine how to do this through debate and compromise.
The starting point, however, must be a moral foundation that sets aside the materialistic “what’s in it for me” mindset and the belief “it’s the economy, stupid,” and focus instead on the common good, trusting that the more you benefit, the more I will benefit.
Paradoxically, the best way for Democrats to win a decisive victory is to focus less on defeating Republicans and more on serving humanity, cultivating compassion, and promoting justice. The “us-versus-them” mentality limits progress. Instead, Democrats should promote a positive-sum mindset centered on respect and dignity for every individual and a strong sense of morality — simply doing the right thing.
Unfortunately, however, the Democratic and Republican parties reinforce moral corruption. Once elected, officials face powerful, corrupting influences. They focus on winning the next election by any means necessary.
Whether any one politician is morally corrupt or virtuous is impossible to day. We can only judge them by their actions, not their character. We can judge without being judgmental.
However, if they say nothing about whether their behavior is morally right or wrong, if they don’t discuss morality, we can justifiably say they’re being amoral, by definition.
I don’t know why Joe Biden decided to run for re-election even though numerous other Democrats would be stronger candidates, and his determination to run makes it more likely that Trump will be elected. However, in “Democrats Have a Better Option than Biden,” Ezra Klein envisions that there’s still time for Biden to step aside, open the Convention, and let the delegates select the candidate.
Unless the poll numbers improve quickly, I hope he does — and says he’s doing it because it’s moral. Then I’ll say he acted ethically without saying anything about his moral character.
We can’t count on any President or the Democratic Party to save us. We need a mass movement that forces them to do the right thing.
Readers’ Comments
Kathy Labriola:
I appreciate your explanation of your essay, and in calling Biden amoral, although I do disagree very strongly and do not think he is amoral. I believe he has a strong moral compass and that he has proven that over the decades in his work as a Senator and his votes in the Senate, and as VP under Obama and as President over the past 4 years. I believe his position so far on Israel’s slaughter of Palestinians is very very wrong, and that this is an aberration from his usual clear sense of right and wrong, and that he has been deluded by nearly 80 years of of US foreign policy in supporting Israel no matter what. I believe he felt he had no choice but to continue this completely immoral policy of military aid to Israel because it had so much history behind it and it is extremely hard to force the nation to change course on something that is so entrenched. I believe that in the past few weeks, he has shifted to trying to force Israel’s government into a cease fire and has threatened to with hold aid. So I believe that, finally, his moral sense that supporting this mass slaughter is wrong, has come to the forefront and he will act to stop Israel from invading Rafah.
This may not really be what you were addressing, but I feel that it is very unfair to call Joe Biden amoral, when he is running against Trump who is such a psychopath and has no conscience whatsoever and who rapes women, commits fraud, and caused an insurrection that killed people and tried to overturn a democratic election.
Roger Marsden:
Yes, good points – very hard to know precisely what motivates Biden, i.e., he could care less about Palestinians; he prioritizes our toe hold in the Middle East via Israel; he’s not in control of these geopolitical issues; he thinks this is “working.” ?? and what we do know is that US funding and arming an ugly genocide. If one criticizes that are we increasing the chance of getting trump elected? Overall I think it’s best to tell the truth as best we know it (and maybe that creates pressure for our lead politicians to act in a moral manner).
NOTE: After watching Rhonda Magee’s presentation to the Upaya Zen Center (the video is here), I emailed them:
Dear Rhonda and Joan:
Following are my notes from the session with Rhonda. I plan to post it on the Compassionate Humanity Community website. If you see the need for corrections or additions, please let me know.
I wonder, What institutional or structural changes do you recommend?
And, do we need to provide mutual support for unlearning or controlling the desire to dominate and submit for personal gain, which our society inflames, so we can better relieve others’ suffering and promote justice?
With love,
Wade
Joan replied, “thank you. this is wonderful.” Rhonda replied, “Wonderful, indeed. Thank you, dear brother Wade. I will review and respond to your questions within the coming few days. With appreciation, hope and love.”
Whitman Quote
I inhale great draughts of space,
The east and the west are mine, and the north and the south are mine.
I am larger, better than I thought,
I did not know I held so much goodness.”
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass: Song of the Open Road, 1856
The Amoral Joe Biden
By Wade Lee Hudson
On the Newshour, commenting on Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech, David Brooks, the Republican, said, “Most people are not looking for moral leadership from politicians anymore. They’re looking like, who’s going to make my life a little better? And so I loved the emphasis on policy last night.” Jonathan Capeheart, the Democrat, replied, “I absolutely agree. I think David is absolutely right. That speech was crammed with all sorts of things that he’s done and things that he wants to do.”
They hit the nail on the head. America’s mantra is “What’s in it for me (WIIFM)?” and America is not alone. This moral deficiency is global. Biden’s speech lacked moral outrage.
Outrage at those House Republicans who have blood on their hands because they have not signed a “discharge petition” to get a vote on more aid to Ukraine. Outrage at widespread homelessness and the lack of capacity for alcohol and drug rehab programs. Outrage at Israel for the carnage in Gaza that is genocide or tantamount to it.
Article II of the Genocide Convention defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.” South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice argued that Israel is committing four of the five acts described in Article II, including deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about a group’s physical destruction in whole or in part. Top Israeli officials have made multiple statements that communicate the intent to annihilate Gaza and its inhabitants.
Many nations in the global South have refused to oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine due to the West’s hypocritical failure to support the Palestinians more forcefully.
One glaring moment of moral blindness in Biden’s speech was his claim, “This crisis began on Oct. 7.” Actually, the crisis began in 1948 when the West established Israel as an independent nation without the consent of the inhabitants — or enabling them to establish their own nation.
Biden said
To the leadership of Israel I say this: Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority. As we look to the future, the only real solution to the situation is a two-state solution over time…. Israel most allow more aid into Gaza to ensure humanitarian workers aren’t caught in the crossfire.
Crossfire?? Give me a break!
On Saturday, Biden said Israel’s threatened invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza would be his “red line” but then immediately backtracked, saying there was “no red line [where] I’m going to cut off all weapons,” which is his main leverage.
Biden should go to Jerusalem and address its parliament (as Netanyahu spoke to our Congress) and tell Israelis their actions are a cruel, counterproductive dead-end that violates their ideals. He needs to tell Israel to wake up. Aside from political tactics, we need a profile in courage.
With his speech, Biden fired up his base and demonstrated his vigor, but he abandoned the moral high ground and failed to address Americans’ anxieties and concerns about the country’s direction. As Brooks said, “The American people are in a bad mood…. A lot of suburbanites sense that something’s wrong with the country, maybe spiritually, morally, relationally.”
Most Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction and live paycheck to paycheck. They don’t feel it when the Democrats praise abstract numbers like the “GDP” and the stock market. Many prices are still much higher than before the pandemic, so most people aren’t impressed when Democrats say inflation has slowed. Telling people the state of the union is strong and getting stronger when they know better is not persuasive.
The narrow focus on building the middle class so “the poor have a way up” is offensive. How hard is that way up? How many will make it? What about an immediate guaranteed living wage job opportunity? Is being “middle class” the be-all and end-all? Is climbing a ladder the best solution?
The Democrats still believe “it’s the economy, stupid,” although many Americans vote against their economic self-interest and vote based on cultural issues because they care about what’s moral (though their values may be skewed). Ignoring this issue is ethically wrong and ineffective politically in the long run, though it may help win the next election.
During the 2020 Presidential campaign, Biden fought for the “soul of the nation.” He affirmed building “a nation of unity, hope, and optimism” rather than “a nation of anger, violence, hatred and division.” After being sworn in, he told his staff that everyone is
entitled to be treated with decency and dignity. That’s been missing in a big way the last four years. I expect you to do that for all the folks you deal with. I’m not joking when I say this: If you’re ever working with me and I hear you treat another colleague with disrespect, talk down to someone, I promise you I will fire you on the spot. On the spot. No ifs or buts.
His 2024 campaign does not echo this approach.
In doing so, Biden plays fast and loose with the facts, as reported by the Washington Post and USA Today. This inaccurate rhetoric may work tactically, but it undermines his credibility as a moral leader. It leaves the impression he’s just another politician focused on winning the next election.
The Democrats’ main tactic is scapegoating Trump. Biden never once called out the “MAGA Republicans” or appealed to traditional Republicans and independents. However, the MAGA movement preceded Trump and will persist after Trump is gone. Trump is not the main problem.
Hyperpolarization is a natural product of the Top-Down System, which inflames the desire to dominate and the willingness to submit. This system indoctrinates individuals, shapes our culture, and structures our institutions. Each element reinforces and reflects the others. Greed and the lust for power breed more greed and lust.
Absent a strong countervailing force, the Top-Down System will fall into a downward spiral. Building an effective counterforce will require facing reality, but most people prefer distractions. They’re self-centered, not other-centered.
Maybe the grassroots will build a powerful compassionate movement, but to do so, activists must deal with their internalized oppression. We’re part of the problem. Overcoming or controlling our desire to dominate and our willingness to submit for personal gain must be a major element in our strategy if we’re to build compassionate communities.
Circles, Baldwin, and Comments
Contents:
-Valor Academy’s Circles, By Wade Lee Hudson
-Mass Culture and the Creative Artist, By James Baldwin (1959)
-Readers’ Comments
Valor Academy’s Circles, By Wade Lee Hudson
I found “How one school is centering social-emotional learning” to be profoundly inspiring. This PBS “Brief but Spectacular” video documents a Valor Collegiate Academy mutual aid “Circle.” Since 2014, Valor has expanded to more than 30,000 students nationwide. Their success suggests the holistic, egalitarian movement is spreading. Time is short, however. The world may be on a deadly downward spiral.
Daren Dickson, Valor’s Chief Culture Officer, says
Our dream has been to turn circle facilitation over to the kids as they get into high school. We all know that middle schoolers are much more impacted by each other than by adults, so having them lead the practice will be more meaningful.
This 11-minute video captures a Circle led by a Valor student.
Valor encourages students to share what’s going on in their lives and accept support. Their mission is “sharp minds; big hearts.” They aim to create a community of care “to empower our diverse community to live inspired, purposeful lives,…bring our diverse community together, and support each other in identity and relational development.” Valor bases its approach on four pillars: 1) top-tier academics; 2) intentional diversity; 3) built to last; and 4) whole child development….
(read more)
Mass Culture and the Creative Artist: Some Personal Notes
By James Baldwin (1959)
Someone once said to me that the people in general cannot bear very much reality. He meant by this that they prefer fantasy to a truthful re-creation of their experience. The Italians, for example, during the time that De Sica and Rossellini were revitalizing the Italian cinema industry, showed a marked preference for Rita Hayworth vehicles; the world in which she moved across the screen was like a fairy tale, whereas the world De Sica was describing was one with which they were only too familiar. (And it can be suggested perhaps that the Americans who stood in fine for Shoe Shine and Open City were also responding to images which they found exotic, to a reality by which they were not threatened. What passes for the appreciation of serious effort in this country is very often nothing more than an inability to take anything very seriously.)
Now, of course, the people cannot bear very much reality, if by this one means their ability to respond to high intellectual or artistic endeavor. I have never in the least understood why they should be expected to. There is a division of labor in the world — as I see it — and the people have quite enough reality to bear, simply getting
through their lives, raising their children, dealing with the eternal conundrums of birth, taxes, and death. They do not do this with all the wisdom, foresight, or charity one might wish; nevertheless, this is what they are always doing and it is what the writer is always describing….
(read more)
Readers’ Comments
Re: “Friedman on Israel”
Larry Walker
Excellent and timely article. My related observation is that the US is losing its role as world leader in other ways as well.
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Re: Introduction
Freddi Fredrickson
Growing a generation of intrinsically minded people.
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Re: Interview with “Fluke” author, Brian Klass”
Jed Riffe
After being self employed for over 50 years, experiencing 19 stock market failures, all of which seriously disrupted my small independent print and documentary film businesses, I feel like chaos is the operating mode. I appreciate Wade’s two comments.
Yahya Abdal-Aziz
Thank you for this! I believe he’s hit on something important about modern society. He’s right, there is – by design! – very little slack in our systems, so any little chance event (“fluke”) can tip us into an unstable situation that may deteriorate rapidly and uncontrollably into chaos and disaster.
Yes, we like to think we’re in control of our personal lives, but “a little less hubris” would be a very good thing for most of us. And perhaps we can trace some of the roots of our modern epidemic of anxiety and depression to our inchoate sense of the precariousness of the teetering sand-pile?
Joyce Beattie
