What do you think about the idea that thinking is becoming a luxury good?
August 18, 2025
Smartphones drain attention like junk food wrecks nutrition; deep focus will become a privilege of the rich, while others stay trapped scrolling.
7 comments
I don’t think there’s much of a difference between how poor and rich people use social media
It think it’s framing the problem entirely incorrectly.
I think deep focus will become a privilege of those who can separate their headspace from the collective consciousness of social media.
“Influencers” are evidence that the rich can be trapped in the cycle of scrolling and filming. Their entire livelihoods exist within a screen. If you can avoid that, you’ll be okay.
I feel that free time and space and safety to think deeply and broadly can be very limited in modern society, but I don’t see that as a parallel for it being a luxury good.
A person can think amazing and deep thoughts and have deep revelations of understanding about topics at any time and while doing any activities. A person does not have to be rich or wealthy to spend time and thought. A wealthy person may have more leisure time and a safer environment in which to ruminate on those things, but thinking as an act is not excluded from your experience by the absence of money.
What?
Like you can just not use your phone. Putting it down is free, and thinking is free. They aren’t goods that you need to have money for, it’s literally just an action anyone can take
i think for myself just fine and im broke af.
Its not a luxury, its a reflection of personal character and values.
If you’re exhausted, reflection feels like an indulgence.
7 comments
I don’t think there’s much of a difference between how poor and rich people use social media
It think it’s framing the problem entirely incorrectly.
I think deep focus will become a privilege of those who can separate their headspace from the collective consciousness of social media.
“Influencers” are evidence that the rich can be trapped in the cycle of scrolling and filming. Their entire livelihoods exist within a screen. If you can avoid that, you’ll be okay.
I feel that free time and space and safety to think deeply and broadly can be very limited in modern society, but I don’t see that as a parallel for it being a luxury good.
A person can think amazing and deep thoughts and have deep revelations of understanding about topics at any time and while doing any activities. A person does not have to be rich or wealthy to spend time and thought. A wealthy person may have more leisure time and a safer environment in which to ruminate on those things, but thinking as an act is not excluded from your experience by the absence of money.
What?
Like you can just not use your phone. Putting it down is free, and thinking is free. They aren’t goods that you need to have money for, it’s literally just an action anyone can take
i think for myself just fine and im broke af.
Its not a luxury, its a reflection of personal character and values.
If you’re exhausted, reflection feels like an indulgence.