Cultural critic Ted Gioia observes in a recent essay that we are rapidly entering into a “post-entertainment culture.” People are losing interest in movies, television, and music. “The fastest growing sector of the culture economy is distraction,” he argues, “Or call it scrolling or swiping or wasting time or whatever you want. But it’s not art or entertainment, just ceaseless activity.” The ubiquity of smart phones means we can indulge almost every impulse at any moment. Instead of allowing ourselves to be immersed in the plot of a 2 hour film, we mindlessly check email or Instagram between car chases and explosions. Online gambling has managed to save sports from being intolerably boring.
The genius behind the business model of the distraction industry, Gioia argues, is that “it can last forever – because it’s based on body chemistry, not fashion or aesthetics.” Its products are designed to stimulate the brain, which releases the neurochemical dopamine, which makes us feel good. And we want to experience this again and again. “Instead of movies, users get served up an endless sequence of 15-second videos. Instead of symphonies, listeners hear bite-sized melodies, usually accompanied by one of these tiny videos – just enough for a dopamine hit, and no more.” Tech CEOs know that they are making us addicts and that it’s harmful, Gioia argues, but they do it anyway because it is massively lucrative. He calls them “dopamine cartel members,” who target kids, “[having] figured out what every junk peddler already knows: It’s more profitable to get users locked in while they’re young.”
But research on addiction shows that the pleasure does not last. Eventually, it leads to a state of anhedonia, which Gioia describes as “the complete absence of enjoyment in an experience supposedly pursued for pleasure.” The more we give into our craving for distraction, the less we enjoy it. Studies reveal that “the US and other prosperous, technologically advanced societies are suffering a massive happiness decline. This is what happens when anhedonia is on sale very week – and the pervasive tech platforms increasingly resemble the ruthless corporations that got rich from opioid abuse.” Gioia’s assessment is harsh. But if you think you’re not in some way addicted to your phone, try leaving it at home while running errands.
Back in 1975, Pope St. Paul VI wrote: “Technological society has succeeded in multiplying the occasions of pleasure but finds great difficulty in giving birth to happiness. For happiness has its origin elsewhere: it is a spiritual thing. Money, comfort, hygiene, material security etc, may often not be lacking, but nevertheless, despite these advantages, boredom, suffering and sadness are frequently to be found supervening in the lives of many people.” The philosopher Blaise Pascal put it even more succinctly 400 years ago: “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room by himself.” Gioia’s article suggests this is still the case. As Catholics, we take up the disciplines of Lent to scrape away the distractions we use to smother our longing for the One present in the silence. Lent is in fact good for us! Therefore, let us recommit ourselves to the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, that we may we use well these final weeks of Lent in preparation for the arrival of Easter and all the joy it brings.
posted 3/9/24
The Parish of St. Cecilia-St. Gabriel 