A Writer's Reflection on the Fear of Solitude
Technology has allowed us to share our thoughts with ease, to send our ideas out into the world quicker than ever before and yet it seems to me we have never been so disconnected—specifically we seem to be losing sight of the fact that we need time and space to quiet our minds and to think in solitude. I'm reflecting on an article I first read in the Chronicle Review in 2009, "The End of Solitude" by William Deresiewicz. I found much to consider. Deresiewicz argues that, "Celebrity and connectivity are both ways of becoming known. This is what the contemporary self wants." Yes, I thought. My students can ponder this, an essay written for them and about them, about all of us. I made copies of the essay for all of us to read. I tend to believe many of us didn't give the topic much thought. Read More