The older woman: “It was once true that without literature it was difficult for any one individual to imagine what other people were thinking: people from a different station, from a different place, of a different mind. Now, with social media, the thoughts of others are not only audible and visible, but inflicted upon you at all hours of day and night. The challenge is not to connect with these other thoughts and develop empathy but to withstand the onslaught of these other thoughts and not develop a carapace that prevents empathy.” The younger woman: “I know that. I’ve seen it said a hundred times. Your voice has an irritating piping quality. I wish you would speak no more.”
©2020 Ben Greenman/Stupid Ideas
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