Thanks again, Samrat, for another thought-provoking essay in which I'm sure all readers can see themselves (maybe their surrogate activity is blog-reading/blog-critiquing). I notice that obsession is not mentioned once directly although it surely is implied. Creative "flow" as described and developed by the Hungarian psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a psychological state where high skill is required to accomplish a high challenge. That the person loses track of time and even place (she/he is in a sort of virtual space?) and even biological needs of dinner or sleep indicates that this state of mind is its own reward. (May I humbly suggest that my "Paranormal Panorama of Creative Flow" on YouTube will explore this concept.) You have addressed an important phenomenon that may be of great service to humanity to maintain what will pass for mental health in the declining years of unraveling in the not too distant future when Nature will finally adjust humanity to its carrying capacity despite our wishes. If it is not already being done I wonder if these current and coming, new surrogate activities can be designed to minimize energy use thereby adjusting to the new realities.
I remember your posting a little while ago about Ellul and I've thought much recently about his description of jazz music's vicarious false freedom. Nothing offers greater challenge to artists than this desolate conception of the arts. I agree with Ellul and wish to prove him wrong nonetheless. Even failing, such a thing would be a worthwhile endeavor.
It is not only self-generated though, this tendency towards the ease of surrogate activity. It is harnessed and encouraged. I wrote this piece, on those who hold the reigns:
Thanks again, Samrat, for another thought-provoking essay in which I'm sure all readers can see themselves (maybe their surrogate activity is blog-reading/blog-critiquing). I notice that obsession is not mentioned once directly although it surely is implied. Creative "flow" as described and developed by the Hungarian psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a psychological state where high skill is required to accomplish a high challenge. That the person loses track of time and even place (she/he is in a sort of virtual space?) and even biological needs of dinner or sleep indicates that this state of mind is its own reward. (May I humbly suggest that my "Paranormal Panorama of Creative Flow" on YouTube will explore this concept.) You have addressed an important phenomenon that may be of great service to humanity to maintain what will pass for mental health in the declining years of unraveling in the not too distant future when Nature will finally adjust humanity to its carrying capacity despite our wishes. If it is not already being done I wonder if these current and coming, new surrogate activities can be designed to minimize energy use thereby adjusting to the new realities.
I remember your posting a little while ago about Ellul and I've thought much recently about his description of jazz music's vicarious false freedom. Nothing offers greater challenge to artists than this desolate conception of the arts. I agree with Ellul and wish to prove him wrong nonetheless. Even failing, such a thing would be a worthwhile endeavor.
It is not only self-generated though, this tendency towards the ease of surrogate activity. It is harnessed and encouraged. I wrote this piece, on those who hold the reigns:
https://walkingwithgoats.substack.com/p/the-tale-of-an-indian-runner
Me too… And no one can be exempt from all such modern surrogate activities just because they think so.