The link between technology, comfort, alienation from the good life, and Stoic training
by Florence Pérès.
This morning I read an interesting article, or rather an ‘essay’, written by Tom Grosfeld, titled ‘No more doing things yourself. Alienated from the good life’. I'd like to share some insights from his essay and connect them with my own thoughts on being present, resilient, and disconnected.
Grosfeld first outlines the context of our (digital) pampered society, where almost everything can be managed comfortably and easily from behind a screen. No more hassle or physical effort—think online shopping, booking a trip with just a few clicks, or using smart home technology. Even mental effort is minimized—we binge-watch shows passively, edit and translate text with tools like ChatGPT... “We’re no longer accustomed to struggle and effort. A frictionless, efficient life has become the norm. Technology ensures a friction-free life where nearly everything is within reach without much effort.”
Even our freedom of choice is being handed over to algorithms. Netflix suggests your next series automatically. You no longer need to think about it. This makes me consider the filter bubble you live in and the algorithm that determines what you see and read on social media. Making choices ourselves involves a certain risk, which we unconsciously want to avoid. But as Erich Fromm noted, uncertainty is the price we pay for consciousness. At the same time, this is precisely what makes us human.
Grosfeld calls this ‘the promise of technology’: to free humans from 'burdens' like autonomy, self-reflection, and responsibility. Physical and cognitive effort is exchanged for convenience, causing our skills to erode and and we acquire fewer new ones. He argues that our engagement with the things we do disappears as a result, and experiences barely leave an impression. This reminds me of the constant pursuit of thrills, kicks, bucket lists, and the search for ever more extreme experiences that make us feel truly alive, in contrast to the virtual life that unfolds between a screen and an overloaded brain.
And although humans are embodied beings, digital technology almost makes it impossible for them to use their body, something Grosfeld calls ‘disembodiment’. As a former mindfulness trainer, I can testify that our body is precisely the ‘interface’ with the here and now. The body, after all, cannot be anywhere else than in the present. More ‘embodiment’ is exactly the way to be more present, to experience life more fully, and to be more ‘engaged’ with our experiences.
Grosfeld’s vision is that activities and practices requiring effort and leading to engagement, whether physical or mental, should be central once again. Technology should serve this ideal, he says, which in practice means encouraging or even compelling tech companies and developers to design products and services that enhance our engagement, draw on our skills, invite self-reflection, and allow us to think and decide independently thereby reducing our alienation from what constitutes a good life.
Finally, I’d like to share one of the 25 Change Hacks from my book “Survival Guide for Times of Change,” which aligns perfectly with this topic. It’s about ‘Stoic training,’ also known as ‘winter training.’ The winter period was supposed to be a time of rest for soldiers in Ancient Greece, as it was customary not to wage war during that season. Yet, they continued to challenge their bodies through intense training to sharpen their skills and enhance their physical and mental resilience.
The Ancient Greeks believed that exposing oneself to voluntary hardships in times of comfort was the way to build resilience and prepare for tough times. Moreover, they trained for mental calmness and equanimity, which helps in managing stressful situations.
The Ancient Greeks were absolutely right. Every time you successfully confront difficult or challenging situations, you gain resilience and self-confidence, which will serve you well in the future. Winter training can also show that situations you find unpleasant don’t necessarily make you unhappy. Think of standing in a crowded, sweaty train for the entire journey. You can view it as a small challenge to find relaxation amidst the tension. You might even realize that what you consider pleasant doesn’t necessarily make you (lastingly) happy.
The key message is to challenge yourself proactively, to ‘toughen up’ a bit. Not only to become more resilient but also to acquire new skills. And as Grosfeld suggests, by not avoiding physical and mental effort, we can experience greater engagement in what we do and come closer to truly living.
By practicing winter training, we learn to be more present in the moment and feel life as it truly is, without needing to seek extreme kicks.
Challenge yourself regularly, both physically and mentally, by taking on “micro-challenges” that push you out of your comfort zone. Consider taking a cold shower, walking in the rain, spending a day without your smartphone, trying to fix something that’s broken on your own, or skipping a meal.
Which micro-challenge will you take on? Let us know in the comments!
Read Tom Grosfeld’s full article here. Interested in a keynote on Managing Change? Ask for more information or a quote!
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