Desire, Dopamine, and the Internet - by L. M. Sacasas
Welcome to the Convivial Society, a newsletter about technology and culture. In this installment, I’m considering a popular essay Ted Gioia published last month arguing for the rise of what he called “dopamine culture.” I’m uneasy with the argument and the framing. I’ll explain why here, while hopefully offering a wider-ranging set of perspectives on the variety of ways we relate to the internet and internet-enabled devices. Many of you reading will, I think, have found yourself in agreement with Gioia’s argument, so I’ll be curious to know what you make of my reservations. I’m expecting a fair amount of push back! As always, thank you for reading. As always, if you value the writing, please consider supporting the writer. In writing this essay, I’m committing one of the cardinal sins of the digital age. I am going to be commenting at some length on an essay that is now over a month old. You have been warned! The essay in question is Ted Gioia’s “The State of the Culture, 2024.” There’
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