[crmrc114]

"What you should have learned in the last decade is that social networks designed around virality, engagement and "influencing" are awful for the society in the long run."

Yes, and don't forget the 24 hour news cycle with its focus on getting outrage and attention through fear. I did not know who Marshall McLuhan was until now- thanks for the tip!

[ardy42]

> Yes, and don't forget the 24 hour news cycle with its focus on getting outrage and attention through fear.

Yeah, social media is just one in a series of possibly misguided techno-social "innovations," and it probably won't be the last.

My understanding is that groups like the Amish don't reject technology outright, but adopt it selectively based on its effects on their society (and will even roll back things they've adopted if they're not working out). Wider society probably would benefit from a dose of that kind of wisdom right now, after decades of decades of "because we can"-driven "innovation."

[jl2718]

They also force all 17-year-olds to go live with and as ‘the English’ for two years and then decide whether they want to go back, and what things should be brought back with them.

[swirepe]

> My understanding is that groups like the Amish don't reject technology outright, but adopt it selectively based on its effects on their society

I can see how this would work for new things invented outside the Amish community. How does this work for new Amish inventions? How do they judge an effect a thing will have on society while they are still building that thing?

Edited to add a concrete example: here [1] is a pneumatic ceiling fan. Before the first one was built, what strategy did they use to determine it's okay?

[1] https://amishamerica.com/amish-ceiling-fan/

[ardy42]

> I can see how this would work for new things invented outside the Amish community. How does this work for new Amish inventions? How do they judge an effect a thing will have on society while they are still building that thing?

I'm no expert, but I believe they have walked back decisions to allow certain technologies, or allow things for trial periods before making a final decision.

Also, it's not like the non-Amish haven't rejected technologies because they came to dislike their effects on society, stuff like lead paint, asbestos, and chemical weapons come to mind as examples.

Also, their decisions aren't arbitrary, but respect certain principles and customs, so I would assume an Amish inventor would take those into account.

[swirepe]

You make a great point; I hadn't thought about lead paint or asbestos. Rollbacks are hard, but they are possible.