This book describes the various problems associated with a culture of infinite browsing. It argues against our contemporary tendency to keep our options open and never settle for any one thing. The author, who is around my age, describes this as primarily being a problem of young people like us. It’s a generational thing associated with our nearly unlimited choice.
Davies argues that the way out of infinite browsing, and the various ills it causes, is voluntary commitment. He thinks that one ought to pick something, stick with it for the long haul, and see where it takes us. As for me, I’m already a fairly dedicated person. I’m lifetime membership with the Canadian Esperanto Association1. Last summer, I got excited about the idea of selecting a gravesite at a particular Quaker cemetery.
I like Davis' term a counterculture of commitment.
A lot of the book seems like an echo of this speech he gave: Graduate Speaker Pete Davis | Harvard Commencement 2018 .
István Ertl has a funny joke about not being a denaska Esperantist, but rather a ĝismorta one. That is to say, he’s not a native speaker but will speak it until his death. ↩︎
Published: May 16, 2024
Last Modified: May 29, 2024
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