Shall we philosophize?
The book Excited Society: Philosophy of Sensation, by the German philosopher Christoph Türcke, presents a critical analysis of contemporary society, marked by intense sensory stimulation and an incessant search for immediate pleasure. Türcke argues that we live in an era where sensation has become a central value, constantly stimulated by the media and entertainment. This "constant excitement", according to the author, leads to superficial experiences and a difficulty in developing deep reflection.
The author also discusses how this search for intense sensations can be seen as a form of distraction, distancing individuals from deeper existential questions and from a genuine understanding of themselves and the world around them. To overcome this condition, Türcke suggests a return to philosophical reflection and the search for deeper meaning in life.
In summary, Excited Society is a critique of contemporary society, in which the ceaseless pursuit of sensations and immediate pleasure replaces reflection and the search for meaning, proposing the appreciation of philosophy and introspection as paths toward a fuller and more meaningful existence.
Everything is primary, everything is content, everything is performance, everything is FOMO and a constant sense of frustration. An endless hamster wheel where each piece of content or product, even after being consumed, is followed by eight new suggestions and new needs/frustrations. There’s no end. There’s always a virtual mediator suggesting something to you (omnipresent with our permission).
Our mind is hijacked most of the time. How did we get here? And what about the level of exhaustion this causes? Is this a premeditated plan? For what purpose?
Today it is known that Generation Alpha (2010–2025) already shows signs of fatigue and questions its relationship with social networks, prioritizing real life instead of excessive exposure. Although they deal with the dopamine that screens provide, they tend to move away from overexposure. They are nostalgic for a time they never lived through (the pre-internet world) and seek a balance between the digital world and real experiences.
We need to train hope, to listen again and try to understand others, to escape this mental self-devouring… maybe through a digital fast. Stop politicizing everything. Stop wanting to consume everything (including ideas). We must keep believing that we can change things… in real life, in everyday life. That most people are tired of all this, even if they seem to show the opposite.
More silence, more sharing of simple things, of our pains ("a problem shared is a problem halved") , sharing the school run or training with other parents, returning to nature, talking to the hairdresser, venting with friends, holidays with siblings, book clubs, who knows…
Kiss to the heart
Rita
