How Author Dave Eggers Avoids Smartphones, Internet Access, and Flock Cameras (sfgate.com)
- Reference: 0183776324
- News link: https://news.slashdot.org/story/26/06/13/0441221/how-author-dave-eggers-avoids-smartphones-internet-access-and-flock-cameras
- Source link: https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/dave-eggers-profile-22291491.php
> Without a pen and paper handy, he was stuck texting the idea to himself. The problem? Eggers doesn't own a smartphone. "It takes 20 minutes to write a sentence," Eggers said... It's a funny predicament for Eggers, given that he's arguably the city's biggest proponent of the written word... Now age 56, [2]Eggers' latest book is called " Contrapposto "...
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> On writing days, Eggers bikes to his sailboat docked near the Golden Gate Bridge. He writes using a hefty 1998 Mac that has never been connected to the internet. On the boat, he keeps "banker's hours," working 9 to 5 without any meetings or interruptions except for the occasional wildlife visit. "You're there with the cormorants and the occasional porpoise and sea lions and seals, and when you want to take a break, you walk around and you're in the thick of it, one of the most beautiful spots on Earth," he said. "Especially coming from the Midwest, it never gets old."
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> Given Eggers' decidedly low-tech existence, it's not surprising that the current state of San Francisco gives him pause, but there's a streak of hope that underlies his concerns. He abhors the growing surveillance technology that's gripping the city, refusing to get into Ubers that use recording devices, but he feels a well-written ballot measure about Flock cameras could potentially save our dwindling privacy. ChatGPT's effects on the art of writing are demoralizing, but he welcomes that teachers are re-embracing pencil and paper, with cursive making a big comeback. The wave of artificial intelligence ads blanketing bus stops [3]imploring companies to stop hiring humans are so over the top, they'd sound cliché if he were to include them in one of his dystopian tech industry novels like "The Circle" or "The Every," but tech philanthropy has helped many of his projects flourish.
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> Case in point, [4]Art + Water , a new art space scheduled to open next year on Pier 29 funded largely by art world donations... Co-founded with the artist JD Beltran, the space is slated to operate as an old-school apprenticeship system, hosting 10 artists in residence mentoring 20 students, all free of charge... The ultimate goal is to break down the financial barriers that keep students from pursuing art.
Thanks to Slashdot reader [5]destinyland for sharing the article.
[1] https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/dave-eggers-profile-22291491.php
[2] https://amzn.to/4ekkChs
[3] https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/sf-artisan-billboards-stop-hiring-humans-19969672.php
[4] https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/dave-eggers-cafe-hub-vacant-sf-pier-21126987.php
[5] https://www.slashdot.org/~destinyland
Does the world need more starving artists? (Score:1)
If you've ever visited Disney World, one of the things you might've noticed is that there are quite a few talented individuals working for theme park wages (which if you weren't aware, are fairly low). Very, very few people make what could be considered a good living drawing, dancing, and/or singing for their supper.
There tends to be more than a bit of a survivorship bias among those who've "made it" in any sort of creative endeavor. Yes, if you're one of the lucky few, it is true that you wouldn't have s
East Texas (Score:2)
There are some places in the hills of East Texas, where people actually believe that Y2K destroyed civilization. If you want to avoid internet access and Flock cameras, there are plenty of places in those hills to hide.
Re: (Score:2)
Citation needed.
Re: (Score:3)
My comment wasn't meant to be taken seriously.
Can't say I love his writing (Score:1)
But a lot of people do.
self punishment (Score:2)
> "Without a pen and paper handy, he was stuck texting the idea to himself. Eggers doesn't own a smartphone. "It takes 20 minutes to write a sentence," Eggers said... It's a funny predicament for Eggers,"
Um, if he has a "dumb" cell phone at all that is on, it is tracking his location, essentially the same as a smartphone with GPS off.
He could carry a computer tablet with no cell modem and save stuff to internal storage or SD. It will enable a large on-screen keyboard and with option to voice type/edit of
Rich life (Score:1)
I donâ(TM)t like flock or surveillance or the proliferation of irresponsible AI use either. But Iâ(TM)m not quick to take notes from anyone who is blessed to live such an idyllic life where they bike to a boat in the morning. Most of us would pick that life if we could.
Comment first - research later. (Score:1)
After looking him up I will put some respect on his name. His family life had a lot of early tragedies.
Cursive? (Score:2)
I'm pretty sure I don't like Flock, but I'm equally certain this self congratulatory back patter will be suggesting bringing back Latin as an entrance requirement for college next.
Banker's hours... (Score:3, Informative)
Are 9-3, not 9-5. Traditionally, this gave the staff 2 hours between 3 and 5 to balance the books before going home.