Leverage Happens at a Distance

Human language—real human language—happens in the mouth and the throat, not on the page, not on the screen. Face-to-face, back and forth between two mouths and four ears, in real time.

Fresh foods, simply prepared, is what some people would call real human food: unprocessed, unpackaged, free of preservatives. And possibly prepared by a family member a few hours earlier.

Real human movement, from our first cries as a baby, to cradling a baby in our arms, to simple walking while carrying a jug of water or bundle of sticks, happens within arm’s length with the force that our arms can provide, for results that are tangible.

Technology makes all three of these things more powerful and/or accessible through leverage, from the words you’re reading now to frozen pizzas to bulldozers. In exchange for money, we can get more benefit for less effort. But without care and attention, we’re further from the people we connect with, the food we eat and even our own bodies.

Leverage is a fine thing, and I wouldn’t do without it, but leverage happens at a distance.