Digital Waters: Why I'm Renaming Humanhood
In his 2005 commencement speech to the graduating class at Kenyon College, David Foster Wallace tells a parable about two young fish.
In his story, they’re swimming along when they encounter an older fish heading the opposite direction. The older fish greets them with, "Morning, boys. How's the water?" The young fish continue on their way for a while, until one turns to the other and asks, "What the hell is water?"
I think about this story a lot lately.
Because right now, we're all swimming in digital waters. Content, algorithms, likes, views, personal brands... this is our water now. And just like those young fish, most of us don't even see it.
The Evolution
You might have noticed this publication has a new name: Digital Waters.
This isn't just a rebrand – it's a recognition of what I've been exploring all along. Looking back at my previous essays:
- "Are We Optimizing Away Our Humanity?"
- "Living in the Age of Overwhelm"
- "Unmasking the Illusion of Perfection in the Digital Age"
They've all been asking the same fundamental questions: What does it mean to be human in an increasingly digital world? How do we maintain our humanity while swimming in these waters?
Why "Digital Waters"?
Born in 1980, I occupy a unique position in human history – old enough to remember life before the digital flood, young enough to be swimming in it now.
I remember making plans by calling friends on their home phones. I remember when creating something meant actually making something physical. I remember when sharing meant being in the same room.
And then... the flood came. Slowly at first. Email. Instant messaging. Social media. Smartphones. Creator economy. AI. Each wave building on the last, until suddenly... everything became content.
What You'll Find Here
This publication is not about rejecting technology or pining for "simpler times." It's not about teaching you how to gain more followers or optimize your content.
It's about using modern tools to question modern life. Creating content about the nature of content. Being thoughtful in an age of hot takes. Going deep in the shallow end.
Here, we'll explore questions like:
- How do we stay authentic in an algorithmic world?
- What happens when everything becomes content?
- Where do we find meaning in an age of metrics?
- Why do we feel pressure to constantly produce?
- How do we maintain human connection through digital means?
Why Subscribe?
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by digital culture...
If you're creative but struggle with the pressure to "produce content"...
If you've wondered if there's more to digital life than metrics and algorithms...
If you remember the world before all this, or wish you did...
...then Digital Waters is for you.
Together, we'll explore these waters, not as critics or gurus, but as fellow swimmers trying to navigate with intention and humanity.
What's Next
The only difference is a clearer focus and purpose.
In the coming weeks, I'll be sharing more thoughts on our relationship with digital life, creativity, and connection.
Thank you for swimming with me in these digital waters. I'm grateful for your attention – the most precious resource in our current age.
— Nick
P.S. If these themes resonate with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts. What questions do you have about navigating these digital waters?
