The Fate of Belonging in an Era of Personalization

The main purpose of this presentation is twofold. First, I explain how the kinds of personalization offered through digital technologies can undermine belonging. We are getting used to the convenience of being tailored to, and this can undermine virtues that make belonging possible. Second, I offer a discussion of the work of early childhood educator Vivian Paley, suggesting that her deeply spiritual approach to belonging is one that we need to learn from now more than ever. I will draw out specific practices from Paley's work that we can use to foster belonging in schools and religious spaces.