How Long Is Too Long? Navigating the Lifespan of Digital Connections

One existential journey I've embarked upon lately revolves around the concept of the "present moment," particularly those moments we share with others. In our hyper-connected world, some of these shared experiences become permanently etched into the digital fabric—manifesting as online spaces, forums, and group chats. Others vanish once they've concluded, leaving behind little more than an addition to our lists of followers or friends.

Before the digital revolution and modern communication tools, such groups could only exist within the confines of familial ties or the workplace—situations where physical proximity and daily interactions intertwined our lives in multiple ways. Looking at macro-group dynamics through the lens of information preservation reveals an intriguing shift: what once was family and later became work teams has now, in the post-2020 era, transformed into group chats and online communities.

Yet, it seems none of these modern communities are built with the understanding that they might eventually need to dissolve and blend back into the background. If they don't, the very nature of individual existence risks becoming stagnant, trapped within static constructs. I perceive the roles of families, workplaces, and other human organizations as mechanisms for generating information—a means to extend the present moment. Whether it's a meeting among colleagues, a chaotic family gathering, or a lively discussion at a high school cafeteria table, these interactions produce information and prolong moments that ultimately shape our personal information pathways and worldly perspectives.

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