Decouplement

I initially feel an unnerving isolation when I’m disconnected from the wider world.

Such moments are often forced upon me by circumstance: when mid-flight over a vast expanse of ocean or tucked betwixt bags and chickens and goats while rambling through mountainous South American landscapes in a run-down but resilient autobús.

I ultimately enjoy and even look forward to these periods of decouplement, but they don’t materialize as organically and consistently as they once did—and I think thi...