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Lost a Vicious Fight

On Thinking in Slow Motion

As should be clear, the primary function of this blog space is to popularize philosophy. Science, despite all of its esoteric concepts, has been popularized by the likes of Richard Feynman, Carl Sagan, Bill Nye, and Neil deGrasse Tyson. I strongly believe the same can be done for philosophy if and only if it is made more relatable and communicated in a way that helps more people understand difficult concepts.

This is the primary reason why I’ve spoken about love, specifically through my disagreement with traditional modes of partnerships; I’ve spoken, for instance, about polyamory. I’ve spoken also about free will or what might be better understood as decision making. I’ve spoken about politics and morality. I’ve shared articles, videos, and other forms of media about these topics as well.

To succeed in this mission, however, I need to address the bigger problem: some societies are moving much too quickly; workweeks are getting longer, businesses emphasize productivity over efficiency, thus resulting in people having less time and energy to think critically and deeply. To compel people to think in slow motion, I’d have to play a role in slowing down their lives. I would have to shift the “for profit” mentalities of corporations, champion a shorter workweek, ensure that people get more time off, and so on. Of course, I won’t be accomplishing any of that alone; I’d need plenty of help. The question with such a sizable issue is: where do we start?

Upon realizing the myriad issues in the world, one often feels small, powerless, and even inadequate. I can’t do or say enough, can’t change enough minds; people are much too obstinate, in love with their chains, slaves to their habits. In very Marxist fashion, a change in consciousness would require a change in the structure, so a would-be rebellion would be up against well-funded, powerful enemies who don’t want change. They would rather keep things as they are. Yet there’s precedence because any worthwhile movement has been the impetus of monumental change.

Philosophy is thinking in slow motion, dwelling on a concept, an idea, a question for minutes, hours, days, and even years at a time. It is returning to that thought years later, questioning whether your initial conclusion was correct. It is the removal of chatter in the mind, the daily stress from school or work, matters dealt with in your home. It is setting aside financial frustrations, tensions in a given friendship or relationship, and so on. It requires a careful attention and focus in a day and age where focus and attention are constantly shifting; in where two friends are together, but make more eye contact with a phone screen than with one another; in where two lovers can embrace on a park bench, each with a device in hand, be it a phone, an iPad, or an e-reader; in where many can’t sit still and commit to one task unless that task is a requirement or obligation.

Some of us find time to slow down and think deeply because we see the importance in doing so. We see the utility in it as well. How do we teach that to people who see neither? Popularizing philosophy in the modern day is a tall task, but it’s a worthwhile undertaking. Deeper and more critical thinking would improve many aspects of human life. Educators would think of better ways to educate; doctors will envision ways to better treat patients; scientists will think of ways to improve their tools and advance their theories; politicians would think of legislation that’s the best possible compromise rather than settle for legislation that appeals to a small portion of their voting block; police officers will realize why they shouldn’t abuse their power; people in general will find ways to improve their lives, specifically in how they deal with and treat others and in how they raise their children, lead their love lives, and make their decisions more generally.

The average person admits to this because the bigger decisions compel them to slow down. Few people leave a job or move from one home to another on a whim. They consider their options and whatever variables are involved. People ought to be as methodical about a great many issues, both on the personal and collective level. The manner in which many think is strong indication that people aren’t methodical at all. A lot of people succumb to cognitive shortcomings, often opting to indulge their confirmation bias, avoid views contrary to theirs, and even going so far as to show disdain toward people who have a different view. The people who hold the most well-reasoned positions have considered extant cases against their views and have considered whether a successful case can be made against their position. If more people adopted this approach, there’d be wider consensus on matters of importance and that common ground would be the very basis on which lasting change is built. Unfortunately, this currently isn’t the case. How do we change that? How do we slow down?

thatweirdoneintheback

Ok, so! I’m not saying this is some magical solution, but there’s this book called Socrates Cafe by Christopher Phillips. This dude is trying to find Socrates, or rather, the essence of Socrates, which I believe is seen something along the lines of the always questioning gadfly. He does this by traveling around and asking the heads of shops, schools, retirement homes, jails, and any other places where people gather if he can host a Cafe and then doing so. What the “cafe” does is, as a group, attempt to answer a question in a way that provides multiple approaches with a respect and challenge to the answers of everyone. (If I understood correctly) A night or time is set aside to do so, people hear about it, come, and philosophize. I think one of the major parts there is that they become aware of the opportunity to philosophize, to think, to talk with other people. The option is suddenly opened up where there seemed not be one before. Awareness of being able to slow down and an opportunity really helped from what I saw. I’ve no idea what he’s doing now but I think it’s an awesome life’s work that brings awareness and makes time for philosophy. Such a cafe is one way to have people slow down. Offer the choice to everyone

philosophycorner

Thank you! This is probably the most important reblog/comment I’ve read across all my blogs because believe it or not, my biggest goal is to open a cafe chain for intellectuals! I now want to read Socrates Cafe, but before this, I hadn’t heard of it. It’s really humbling to have a rather farfetched idea and see that even those kind of ideas already exist before you think of them.

I want to offer this to people around the world. I see a setting that’s a blend between your average Starbucks, a lounge, and a library. I want there to be shelves of books for sale or that can be read in store–books that broaden people’s perspectives and ideas. More importantly, I want intellectuals–who tend to be lonely, introverted, or even separatist–to come and meet people enough like them to form lasting friendships/relationships, but also different enough to broaden one another’s horizons and challenge one another. I want them to come together, brainstorm, and think about how to address some of the problems we face. Contrary to what some people think, the internet, social media in particular, doesn’t replace good old social interaction. Other people are so important to our development and while Nietzsche may have emphasized the importance of solitude, I think most intellectuals and geniuses can say that they impose enough of it on themselves. Most will also admit to yearning for like minds and mutual understanding, and such a cafe would provide that.