Non­fic­tion

Team Human

Dou­glas Rushkoff
January 1, 2013

In Team Human, pre­em­i­nent dig­i­tal the­o­rist Dou­glas Rushkoff argues that we are essen­tial­ly social crea­tures, and that we achieve our great­est aspi­ra­tions when we work togeth­er, not as indi­vid­u­als. Yet today soci­ety is threat­ened by a vast anti­hu­man infra­struc­ture that under­mines our abil­i­ty to con­nect. Mon­ey, once a means of exchange, is now a means of exploita­tion; edu­ca­tion, con­ceived as way to ele­vate the work­ing class, has become anoth­er assem­bly line; and the inter­net has only fur­ther divid­ed us into increas­ing­ly atom­ized and rad­i­cal­ized groups.

busi­ness & finance

Discussion Questions

Cour­tesy of Dou­glas Rushkoff

  1. What are the most press­ing chal­lenges we face as indi­vid­u­als and a col­lec­tive? How can we begin to dis­till these chal­lenges in ways we can eas­i­ly digest and work to improve?

  2. What kinds of civic groups and orga­ni­za­tions exist in our com­mu­ni­ty? What kinds should exist? How do we reach oth­ers to engage in true dialogue?

  3. How often do you speak to your neigh­bors and com­mu­ni­ty mem­bers about local issues?

  4. What is the role of tech­nol­o­gy in our lives? How much do we per­form for our devices?

  5. Has social media ever made you feel atom­ized or depressed? How do you work to mon­i­tor your time spent on the platforms?

  6. What kinds of spir­i­tu­al prac­tices or tra­di­tions do you believe to be use­ful in reclaim­ing your human­i­ty? What do you reg­u­lar­ly prac­tice and how does it help you?

  7. What kind of change do you wish to see on a local lev­el? Nation­al lev­el? Glob­al level?

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