What the World Needs Right Now is GENTLE
In an era of overloaded circuits — it is easy to get overwhelmed. We may feel like we are falling behind in the digital revolution with all the buzz about AI and disruption in the future of work. While our need to learn and adapt has never been challenged more, I believe fundamental conversation needs more attention. Sherry Turkle has this poignant statement, “We are connected, but alone.”
We don’t need faster wifi, we just need intimacy (into-me-see). I have been lucky enough to study with David Whyte who teaches that “we don’t have a conversation to get work done; the conversation is the work.”
If we treated dialogue with the same care we treat algorithms we would be healthier, more connected, more innovative, more resourceful, less lonely. The greatest frontier we have to cross is not beyond Mars, it is the space between us.
The Gallop Organization just released a powerful report on the Global State of Social Connections and we have anepidemic of loneliness.
We underestimate random acts of kindness. It my hope that reading this causes you to check in with yourself and ensure you are slowing down and taking care of yourself. It my hope that reading this causes you to check in with someone you love. Social media is not a clear indication of true state of well-being. People need kindness, voice to voice conversations, and gentle words of affirmation on a regular basis. What the world needs now is GENTLE.
Here are some articles that I hope create #recalibration.
Reclaiming Conversation by Sherry Turkle.
Touchscreen by Marshall Davis Jones.
Happiness by Steve Cutts.
A Piece of Chalk by JuBa Films.
The Porcelain Unicorn by Keegan Wilcox.
America’s Loneliness Epidemic with NPR.
The Power of Vulnerability with Brene Brown.
I am thrilled to be participating in Compeer’s Walk to End Loneliness this Sunday November 5th.
This is not the age of information.This is the time for loaves and fishes. People are hungry and one good word is bread for a thousand — David Whyte
I am so very grateful for such a lovely community of students, learners, pollinators, intellects & activists.
This moment requires the best of us. Thank you for being here!
Jennifer Sertl #a3r
