This is a very thought-provoking hypothesis! Not a terribly surprising one, but one that I definitely haven't heard put forth with much oomph. My knowledge of the mood management literature is certainly not up-to-date, but I'm curious if the theory accounts for any meaningful difference between a "mood" and a particular level or threshold of engagement with the given text/platform. Is it still mood management if I'm not trying to feel more happy or less scared, but am instead attempting to prevent myself from getting wholly invested in a plot or storyline? Is "attention-management" perhaps a better term for the latter, and if so what does that suggest about our shifting viewing habits?
Super interesting stuff to ruminate on, thanks for sharing!
I wish it was that simple. Many other factors in play, among the most salient, shortened attention spans and dopamine dependency that social media and pleasing algorithms— Zuckerberg’s Frankenstein monsters—have visited upon this young generation. I don’t think ur audience needs another reason to not be concerned about the macro failures of our educational institutions, and the downside of tech.
I am totally with you on the macro failures of education and the downsides of tech, Reid. That said, I think the guilt Jan is talking about here is experienced on a much more individual level, and that it is important to give one's self grace on such things (because the majority of people who feel bad about these behaviors probably aren't then cursing the degradation of U.S. public education or the cultural shifts brought about by big tech, but are instead castigating themselves for not having more will power or focus, likely seeing it as an individual failing on their part).
This is a very thought-provoking hypothesis! Not a terribly surprising one, but one that I definitely haven't heard put forth with much oomph. My knowledge of the mood management literature is certainly not up-to-date, but I'm curious if the theory accounts for any meaningful difference between a "mood" and a particular level or threshold of engagement with the given text/platform. Is it still mood management if I'm not trying to feel more happy or less scared, but am instead attempting to prevent myself from getting wholly invested in a plot or storyline? Is "attention-management" perhaps a better term for the latter, and if so what does that suggest about our shifting viewing habits?
Super interesting stuff to ruminate on, thanks for sharing!
I wish it was that simple. Many other factors in play, among the most salient, shortened attention spans and dopamine dependency that social media and pleasing algorithms— Zuckerberg’s Frankenstein monsters—have visited upon this young generation. I don’t think ur audience needs another reason to not be concerned about the macro failures of our educational institutions, and the downside of tech.
I am totally with you on the macro failures of education and the downsides of tech, Reid. That said, I think the guilt Jan is talking about here is experienced on a much more individual level, and that it is important to give one's self grace on such things (because the majority of people who feel bad about these behaviors probably aren't then cursing the degradation of U.S. public education or the cultural shifts brought about by big tech, but are instead castigating themselves for not having more will power or focus, likely seeing it as an individual failing on their part).