New York State of Mind: How Not To Be Alone

This insightful essay by novelist Jonathan Safran Foer (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close) was adapted from his 2013 commencement address at Middlebury College.

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How Not to Be Alone by Jonathan Safran Foer, The New York Times

"Technology celebrates connectedness, but encourages retreat."

"Each step “forward” has made it easier, just a little, to avoid the emotional work of being present, to convey information rather than humanity. THE problem with accepting — with preferring — diminished substitutes is that over time, we, too, become diminished substitutes. People who become used to saying little become used to feeling little."

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