Megan J. Robinson // R21.5

Discover why humans can't be optimized and how to embrace a purpose focused life in our AI-dominated world. Megan explores what makes human purpose fundamentally different from AI systems and machine optimization, revealing how to find meaning and purpose in life through conscious reflection rather than algorithmic efficiency. Learn why human dignity and human flourishing come from our unique abil...

Join Rachel and Megan as they explore chapters three and four of Shoshanna Zuboff's 'The Age of Surveillance Capitalism.' We discuss the five key movements Zuboff identifies as the start of surveillance capitalism, focusing on Google's role. We also share our thoughts on how the church and society could respond to these issues, and discuss the challenge of using technology responsibly. Finally, we...

In this episode, we delve into the intersection of surveillance capitalism and communication theory. We explore Shoshana Zuboff's definition of surveillance capitalism, which seeks total certainty through data modeling and behavioral prediction. Using symbolic interactionism, I examine how fear and the desire for control drive our responses in an uncertain world. I also bring in philosopher Byung...

In our first episode of what we hope becomes a monthly discussion, my friend Rachel and I introduce The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff . We dig into the first two chapters, discussing Zuboff's definitions of surveillance capitalism, its implications on privacy, data collection, and the future, and key themes such as the asymmetry of power and the ethics of data collection. We es...

Today we’re taking a look at human communication: what it is, how it’s studied, and the theories that can help us analyze and improve our own practice. Let’s take this as the start of an occasional series of essays that focus on specific communication theories, and use them to explore and analyze other aspects of human life. Communication is so ubiquitous, we probably don’t even realize how much w...

Greetings, my dear ghosts and ghouls!! We approach my absolute favorite season of the year: the most mysterious and kooky, the spookiest, the creepiest, the Nightmare Before Christmas! Because Halloween is my Christmas, and I will walk in its darklight as long I’m able. But we’re not here to discuss the happ-happiest season of all. On with the show! Writers love having written AND being read. Who...

Hello, hello! It feels like we have lived decades in the last few days, and up is down, and life is weird, and I hardly know whether to scratch my watch or wind my butt. Yet I have two essays for your consideration, and I hope you’ll find something interesting or helpful in these reflections. Apple Wants to Get Under Your Skin , by John Fechtel What is this about? Fechtel uses the recent launch of...

Administrative Note After August 2023, current subscribers will be migrated to a new email service provider, and all future emails will be sent via ConvertKit. Current and new subscribers will continue to receive two emails per month, but for the time being, they’ll focus on curations more than explorations. (Explorations aren’t going anywhere: they’ll just be published on a “when they’re done” sc...

ASSUMED AUDIENCE those seeking to recover a coherent identity in the midst of accelerating time and distracting, fracturing technologies Background Resources * 6 Curations & Two Videos for June 2023 (Vol. 06, No. 01) * The Assimilating Database: Is Resistance Futile? (Vol. 06, No. 02) * 8 Curations & Two Videos for July 2023 (Vol. 06, No. 03) This newsletter free to all and is sustained by the pat...

ASSUMED AUDIENCE anyone who feels like their minds are slowly melting and their souls dissolving into smoke by the ever-accelerating instantaneity of online life Intro I often hear people lament or complain or observe how their attention and memory seems to be more fractured, less focused or sustainable since online media became ubiquitous. We all joke and cringe at how many tabs we have open in o...

ASSUMED AUDIENCE those attempting to navigate the confusing and frustrating tension between analog and digital life and how that shapes our social relationships Greetings, friends. This issue may be looser on the cohesion than I’d prefer, as the last couple of weeks have been physically not great. In other words, the body may sometimes be a wonderland, but it is also often a funhouse of horrors. I...

ASSUMED AUDIENCE everyone just doing their best right now Hey, y’all. I don’t know about you, but January and February were individually three months long and collectively ten years long. I’m so happy for longer days and more sun, I can’t even tell you. I Don’t Know What You’re Getting This Week I cannot brain. I feel incapable of landing on a coherent, focused topic on which to write. Perhaps if...

Welcome to  Creative\\Proofing , a space for hopeful, creative people learning to live wisely. This newsletter explores the process and experience of formation: uncovering our true selves, tapping into our imaginations, and doing what matters most. First , I wanted to take a moment to say welcome and thank you to new subscribers for signing up for Creative\\Proofing . I’m so glad to find others in...

Welcome to Creative\\Proofing , a space for hopeful, creative people learning to live wisely by asking questions about the good life: what it is, how to design our own, and how to live it well. This newsletter is built on the hope of reciprocal generosity: I want to share what I find beautiful and meaningful, and I'd love for you to do the same. If you're inspired by anything I write, it would mea...