Fig & Olive

Something I’ve wondered for about 20+ years; are loner’s better off in the age of social media? While the idea of the ‘lone genius’ may be a way to neaten historical realities instead of an absolute truth—as James Bridle states in his book A New Dark Age, “the lie to the heroic narrative of history — the lone genius toiling away to produce a unique insight” there is something that seems to be of particular value in aloneness. As I talked about previously aloneness can be a means of spiritual connection with Allah. And —however true or untrue the ‘lone genius’ narrative may be, the unique insight that seems to “come from nowhere” often pops up when we are alone.

But what does it mean to be alone? The first thought that comes to mind is of course being free of people —despite Saint Nafisa being said to have been surrounded by animals we still see her as being isolated, i.e. away from people in her unique devotion to God. Objects also wouldn’t count, one would still deem themselves alone even if they were surrounded by books —for example, perhaps we’d even say, “I’m alone with my books” but the companionship of objects does not make us less alone.

But what about when we introduce objects that bring people to us? Like the television, bringing us the lives of made-up characters like in sitcoms or ‘real’ people like in reality shows —what about then? Are we still alone? And what about the phone? Where anyone —people you know and those you don’t, can message or call at any time —is that an interruption of your aloneness? Are you still alone when the phone rings? When you pick up the call? When you FaceTime?

And whatever unique benefit we can say exists in isolation does it remain when many of the tools around us connect us —in whatever superficial or meaningful way, to others? Is the loner who had no choice but to ponder on the world around them, read heaps of books, write to their heart’s content, meditate, dhikr, etc. better off now that their aloneness is 100% a choice? Now that being alone takes more effort than being with others is the loner better off? The isolation of aloneness forced one into a different reality, and potential unique insights, the ability to opt-out at any time changes that dynamic.

Both in Jordan and Morocco, I was fully connected to the internet. Though I wasn’t as involved in social media, etc. I wonder how either experience would have been had I not easily had the opportunity to call family, watch American Youtube, and scroll social media. What would it have meant to be completely forced into that new reality, unable to easily opt-out? Our teachers once told us that when they went to study they weren’t allowed by their teachers to visit their home countries for a significant period of time, this allowed them to fully change —or it at least allowed for the possibility. To absorb the knowledge and become changed by it, I can only imagine this made a huge difference in their sulook.

Being alone, being bored, and being grounded in one’s immediate reality can lead to insight that constantly being able to opt out of it can’t bring. But of course, being alone can be miserable, perhaps the middle ground of exiting that reality is of value for mental wellness. On the other side of suffering can be great wisdom, but that assumes we can get to the other side. Suffering can just lead to a downward spiral. It takes —I assume, mental strength and spiritual fortitude to do what my teachers did —let go so they can grab on to and become something new.

So in conclusion… it’s complicated and perhaps the best path should be chosen from moment to moment or maybe social media is just a distraction for all the potential sufis and lone geniuses, Allahualim.

Photo by Ahmed on Unsplash

Related:

1. Augmented Reality https://nuriddeenknight.substack.com/p/augmented-reality
2. “I don’t think we should fear computers…” https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn465cngVpq/
3. Space and Technology https://bythefigandtheolive.com/spacetechnology/

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