AP Photo

Most of us in the First World live in a cocoon of central heating, clean water, electric light, and reliable phone, cable, Internet, and wireless connections. It’s a largely comfortable and convenient existence. But it comes with a few tradeoffs. There’s the restlessness and ennui that can stem from too much immersion in suburban sameness and safety. There’s the tyranny of always-on connectivity, with its impossible deluge of messages and tasks and status updates.