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I'm having trouble with understanding the confusion that leads to the idea of doing something private, "alone with yourself", on the Web. It's kind of like, pretty much opposite by definition?

I mean, being private on-line is like setting water on fire. Yes, you can do it, but you won't be able to unless you know some pretty specialized stuff, you'll most likely hurt yourself badly if you don't have the training, and there's zero point in lighting up a lake when going sailing on holiday!

If you want to be alone with yourself, use a text editor. A native application.

Or paper.



Sorry, when I mentioned "alone with yourself" I was referring as in general, not only on the Web. I agree with you that online and private don't mix. What I was trying to say is that it is like if you don't have your space anymore. Unless you turn off your WiFi, put away all your gadgets, there seems to be no space for your thoughts, for you to think by your own about your day-to-day problems and find some interesting conclusions and perhaps to establish a commitment on improving yourself. Wherever you go, sometimes even to the bathroom, people end up taking their phone. When alone in your bed, phone is again present. You're always being influenced by what you see, read and perhaps impulsively making decisions based on that without thinking by yourself first.


You're making a good point. I've noticed myself that the only moments I do real thinking nowadays are shower, bed (when trying to fall asleep) and the rare occasions when I don't feel like reading on public transport. Otherwise, there's always something else available that's easier and more comfortable than running with your own thoughts.


Was on bus yesterday for first time in close to decade, 65℅-70% of users where sat on their phones the entire way without ever looking up, it was actually quite fascinating to notice.


Yup. Though before that, they'd be listening to their iPods, before that to their Walkmans, and even before that they'd be reading newspapers.

Isolationism in public transportation is not a new phenomenon.


Quite a few do; but I have to look up from my book to see that.


Yes, that's exactly what I feel as well and that's why I found this article interesting. The importance of having your private "space".




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