The Intimacy of Communication: A Spiritual Encounter

Is there space for intimacy in a hyper-connected world? Charles B. Snoad employs the wisdom of French philosopher/provocateur Jean Baudrillard in a spiritual quest for meaning in the Digital Age. Fighting against rampant consumerism and a cultural imperative that everyone must text, tweet and overshare on social media, Snoad argues for authentic communication, or fully present, device-free conversation. In the process, he also seeks to understand his twenty-year battle with depression. If depressed people pose a threat to corporate values like rationalization, organization and flexibility, does depression carry with its suffering a temporary path to freedom? By sharing his story, Snoad hopes to break the stigma surrounding mental illness. Personal essays in this collection cover wide-ranging topics in philosophy, psychology, politics, religion, media studies, sociology, and critical theory. The book concludes with thoughts on the power of forgiveness to transform our souls in the wake of social, political, or personal traumas. This is a text with depth no instant message can convey. To follow along, the author recommends we silence our phones.