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Rediscover the Ordinary

Ian Bogost, Alan Lightman, Dacher Keltner, and Charlie Warzel discuss the importance of finding wonder in everyday life.

By Ian Bogost, Alan Lightman, Dacher Keltner, Charlie Warzel·Sep 5·theatlantic.com·1 min read

Intelligence analysis by Qwen 2.5 (3B)

Rediscover the Ordinary
Image: theatlantic.com

Ian Bogost, Alan Lightman, Dacher Keltner, and Charlie Warzel explore the concept of finding wonder in ordinary things and the benefits of doing so.

Why it matters

This article is important for those interested in mindfulness and finding joy in everyday experiences.

Finding wonder in ordinary things can help you appreciate the small things in life, like the warmth of a coffee mug or the crunch of gravel underfoot. It can make everyday life more enjoyable and meaningful.

Analysis

{"

Ian Bogost's Perspective on Wonder in Everyday Life":"Ian Bogost argues that wonder can be found in ordinary things, and that we risk treating the present as mere preparation for whatever comes next when we focus too much on productivity. He describes noticing the warmth of a coffee mug and the crunch of gravel underfoot as examples of finding wonder in the ordinary.","

Dacher Keltner's Perspective on Everyday Awe":"Dacher Keltner writes that the feeling of being in the presence of something vast, which he describes as awe, can be found in completely unremarkable circumstances. He emphasizes the importance of finding wonder in everyday life.","

Charlie Warzel's Perspective on Technology and Everyday Life":"Charlie Warzel, in his podcast Galaxy Brain, discusses how technology can disconnect us from life's small pleasures. He suggests that finding wonder in everyday life is important for maintaining a connection to the world around us.","

Alan Lightman's Perspective on Being Alive":"Alan Lightman, in his article 'The Ordinary Miracle of Existing', emphasizes the importance of being alive and the extraordinary nature of existing. He suggests that finding wonder in everyday life can be a way to appreciate the miracle of being alive."}

Key points

  • Ian Bogost argues that wonder can be found in ordinary things.
  • Dacher Keltner emphasizes the importance of finding awe in everyday life.
  • Charlie Warzel suggests that technology can disconnect us from life's small pleasures.
  • Alan Lightman highlights the importance of being alive and the extraordinary nature of existing.
  • Finding wonder in everyday life can make everyday experiences more meaningful.
The Upside

Finding wonder in everyday life can help us appreciate the small things in life and make everyday experiences more meaningful.

The Downside

Technology can disconnect us from the small pleasures of everyday life, making it harder to find wonder in the ordinary.

Originally reported at

theatlantic.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsus-politicssocietysciencetoolsethics

Author

Ian Bogost, Alan Lightman, Dacher Keltner, Charlie Warzel

Intelligence analysis by

Qwen 2.5 (3B)

Published

Sep 5, 2026

Source

theatlantic.com

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Topics

us-politicssocietysciencetoolsethics

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