From Pilgrimage to Scroll: What Are We Losing in the Way We Learn?
There’s a question that’s been weighing on my mind for a while now—one that seems more urgent with each passing year:
What is happening to the way we learn, listen, and make meaning as human beings?
In the past, especially in regions like the Middle East—which gave rise to some of the greatest philosophers, poets, and scientists in human history—learning was an act of devotion.
People like Saadi of Shiraz, Ibn Sina, Rumi, and Ibn Battuta didn’t learn by opening an app or searching a phrase. They traveled great distances, crossed deserts, and sat at the feet of scholars just to absorb a few lines of wisdom. They memorized texts, copied them by hand, debated ideas face-to-face, and slowly transformed knowledge into understanding, and understanding into wisdom.
Today, in a world overflowing with technology, we have immediate access to more information than all those scholars combined. But something important has changed—and not necessarily for the better.
From Books to Clips: A Shrinking of Attention
We’ve moved from books to films, from films to short videos, and now to seconds-long clips on social media platforms designed to grab, stimulate, and distract.
What was once deep, contextual, and contemplative has become fast, fragmented, and disposable.
Even music—once a rich system of emotion, memory, and meaning—is now often reduced to simple, algorithm-driven loops with hollow lyrics. Compare the soul of Bach or Vivaldi to much of what dominates playlists today, and you’ll feel the contrast instantly.
Why are we going in this direction?
The Answer Lies in What We Reward
This shift didn’t happen by accident. It’s shaped by a combination of forces:
• Technology rewards speed and volume, not depth.
• Social media rewards attention, not reflection.
• Markets reward what sells quickly, not what lasts meaningfully.
• And many of us, overwhelmed by the noise, seek comfort in the easy and familiar rather than the challenging and deep.
We now “learn” by Googling, or asking AI, or watching a few TikToks. But these shortcuts, while convenient, often lack the background, context, and struggle that true learning requires.
What Are We Losing?
We are losing the habit of deep thought.
We are losing the art of being present.
We are losing our connection to history, lineage, and legacy.
We are losing the ability to wrestle with complex ideas—and to sit with not knowing for a while.
Instead of seeking wisdom, we often settle for content.
But There Is Still Hope
We don’t need to reject technology or idealize the past—but we do need to become intentional.
We can choose to:
• Spend more time with books, long-form conversations, and full symphonies.
• Engage with traditions that challenge us—not just entertain us.
• Reflect more than we react.
• Teach the next generation that meaning requires effort—and that’s a beautiful thing.
A Personal Wish
If you’re reading this, you’re likely someone who still hungers for meaning—for something deeper than the scroll. That, in itself, is an act of resistance.
Let us reclaim learning as a journey, not a transaction. Let us listen to music not just for rhythm, but for the story it carries. Let us return to context, to culture, to consciousness.
In a world that moves faster every day, may we have the courage to slow down and go deeper.
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I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you feel this shift too? How do you hold onto depth in a world of distraction?
#SlowLearning #CulturalReflection #DepthOverDistraction #ModernWisdom #DigitalAge #IntentionalLiving #Education #MusicAsWisdom #MiddleEasternHeritagee a great impression but still didn’t get the job? Or did an interview ever go completely wrong? Share your experiences in the comments!
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