This seems exaggerated, in the sense that many would react this way, but a substantial portion wouldn’t. Likely they would be labeled and mocked by some of the ones who recovered from it quickly. There would be unexpected connections, friends of friends who lost family, valued cultural themes whose presence wasn’t obviously imported but mysteriously fade after the vast decrease in cultural reservoir. One who is fully aware of the effects, even if sociopathic about it (which your quote argues is common), might be able to see enough to realize it was in fact a substantial practical impact. One who isn’t sociopathic about it would find tendrils of deep grief about it anywhere in the world by nature of second or third hand connections.
Of course, there would also be other effects. And for some the balance of effects may be positive. But the negative effects wouldn’t be entirely isolated from people who have many unfiltered connections to their local culture and society, which is a common though not universal way to live.
Especially if there are videos of it happening. I’ll bet Adam Smith didn’t use YouTube!
This seems exaggerated, in the sense that many would react this way, but a substantial portion wouldn’t. Likely they would be labeled and mocked by some of the ones who recovered from it quickly. There would be unexpected connections, friends of friends who lost family, valued cultural themes whose presence wasn’t obviously imported but mysteriously fade after the vast decrease in cultural reservoir. One who is fully aware of the effects, even if sociopathic about it (which your quote argues is common), might be able to see enough to realize it was in fact a substantial practical impact. One who isn’t sociopathic about it would find tendrils of deep grief about it anywhere in the world by nature of second or third hand connections.
Of course, there would also be other effects. And for some the balance of effects may be positive. But the negative effects wouldn’t be entirely isolated from people who have many unfiltered connections to their local culture and society, which is a common though not universal way to live.
Especially if there are videos of it happening. I’ll bet Adam Smith didn’t use YouTube!