Great point about skills. You're absolutely right we can learn and hone
these. Your experience of playing MTG with the kids, and discovering
their powers sounds positive. Not quite the same level of
sophistication but I played "Selfish" with 8-10 year olds and it
boosted my feelings about what is "innate" human nature. I think we
have to learn to be mean and nasty, and to prefer tit-for-tat over
forgiveness.
As for people having always been de-socialised, yes I am sure it's
always been so for some, but something has changed. I'm also old
enough to have traced it. What's changed imho is acceptability. It's
great that we're a more tolerant society etc. But we used to value
good manners, Today I think we see them as a weakness and treat
assholes as if their behaviour was quite acceptable but "unfortunate".
I think digital technology has played a large part in that.
As for people having always been de-socialised, yes I am sure it's always been so for some, but something has changed. I'm also old enough to have traced it. What's changed imho is acceptability. It's great that we're a more tolerant society etc. But we used to value good manners, Today I think we see them as a weakness and treat assholes as if their behaviour was quite acceptable but "unfortunate". I think digital technology has played a large part in that.