#societal-impact
#societal-impact

Sam Altman says he was largely right in predicting how quickly AI would develop - but not how people would react

OpenAI's AI development predictions were accurate, but societal transformation is slower than anticipated, according to CEO Sam Altman.

Nathan Fielder's "Rehearsal" and Stoic Visualization

Improving cockpit communication could enhance air safety by encouraging first officers to voice concerns about captains' decisions.

How to Sustain and Improve Empathy

Empathy is essential for fostering relationships, understanding interdependency, and addressing societal challenges.

#mental-health

Parenting

No smartphones before 14; no social media until 16': The Anxious Generation author on how to fight back against big tech

Jonathan Haidt aims to improve understanding among people through his research and advocates for addressing the mental health crisis among youth caused by technology.

Mental health

Anxiety and Depression in an Unstable World

Prolonged uncertainty increases new mental health diagnoses and worsens symptoms in existing conditions.

Political instability erodes trust, fueling fear, alienation, and a loss of identity as cultural norms shift.

Economic uncertainty weakens cognition over time, disrupting resilience and mental health.

Chronic stress rewires the brain, increasing vulnerability to anxiety and depression.

Parenting

No smartphones before 14; no social media until 16': The Anxious Generation author on how to fight back against big tech

Jonathan Haidt aims to improve understanding among people through his research and advocates for addressing the mental health crisis among youth caused by technology.

Mental health

Anxiety and Depression in an Unstable World

Prolonged uncertainty increases new mental health diagnoses and worsens symptoms in existing conditions.

Political instability erodes trust, fueling fear, alienation, and a loss of identity as cultural norms shift.

Economic uncertainty weakens cognition over time, disrupting resilience and mental health.

Chronic stress rewires the brain, increasing vulnerability to anxiety and depression.

more#mental-health

Right-wing politics

The Guardian view on Trump and children: protect the innocent from this dark vision of the US soul | Editorial

The treatment of children by the Trump administration starkly contradicts its proclaimed family values.

fromTruthout

Mothers of Imprisoned Sons Struggle Emotionally and Financially With No Support

Mothers of incarcerated sons experience a profound emotional and practical transformation marked by grief, confusion, and a lack of resources and support.

#ai

Will AI Solve the Existential Crisis, or Make It Worse?

AI's impact on society could lead to either abundance or crisis, necessitating mindful design to address human needs.

AI Isn't the Problem, We Are

AI reflects our human values and biases, revealing deeper societal issues.

Biases in AI stem from historical data, not inherent flaws in the technology.

fromMedium

Artificial intelligence

Frontiers of Foundation Models for Time Series

Will AI Solve the Existential Crisis, or Make It Worse?

AI's impact on society could lead to either abundance or crisis, necessitating mindful design to address human needs.

AI Isn't the Problem, We Are

AI reflects our human values and biases, revealing deeper societal issues.

Biases in AI stem from historical data, not inherent flaws in the technology.

fromMedium

Artificial intelligence

Frontiers of Foundation Models for Time Series

Why Good Ideas Die Quietly and Bad Ideas Go Viral

The internet's initial promise of self-management has led to unexpected complexities and negative outcomes in public discourse.

#covid-19

fromtime.com

Independent films

Ari Aster's Eddington Is a Wigged-Out Modern Western Overstuffed With Ideas

COVID-19 remains a pervasive theme in society, influencing behavior and attitudes long after its peak.

Coronavirus

fromIntelligencer

What Were the Worst Avoidable Mistakes in America's COVID Response?

Retrospective evaluations of COVID-19 policies reveal both successes and many mistakes, highlighting lessons for future public health crises.

Independent films

fromtime.com

Ari Aster's Eddington Is a Wigged-Out Modern Western Overstuffed With Ideas

COVID-19 remains a pervasive theme in society, influencing behavior and attitudes long after its peak.

Coronavirus

fromIntelligencer

What Were the Worst Avoidable Mistakes in America's COVID Response?

Retrospective evaluations of COVID-19 policies reveal both successes and many mistakes, highlighting lessons for future public health crises.

more#covid-19

fromVulture

Ari Aster's Eddington Is Bracingly Nasty and Unsure of What It's Trying to Say

Ari Aster's 'Eddington' explores pandemic trauma through horror and black comedy, reflecting on societal fractures and the complexities of human relationships.

fromwww.nytimes.com

Video: Opinion | The Forecast for 2027? Total A.I. Domination.

The AI revolution may drastically redefine human existence by 2027, offering both potential benefits and threats.

fromianVisits

From fascist diaries to firefighter crimes: London exhibition challenges WWII myths

A British Fascist's diary records Londoners' experiences during the Blitz, challenging the typical narrative of WWII and revealing a complex perspective on resilience and war.

London food

fromwww.dw.com

The resilience of Afro Germans during the Nazi regime DW 05/07/2025

What 12 years can do to society and what can happen, it doesn't need to be 50 years or 100 years, said historian Katharina Oguntoye.

Germany news

fromwww.bbc.com

Online Community Development

Are there more autistic people now?

The dramatic rise in autism diagnoses over the past two decades raises critical questions about the nature of autism, how we define it, and the implications of these numbers.

Parenting

fromPhys

Co-working spaces aren't just about convenience. They bring a whole range of benefits for employees and communities

Co-working spaces have evolved beyond freelancing hubs into community-focused environments that emphasize well-being, connectivity, and address societal challenges.

Media industry

fromPoynter

Pope Francis called for truth. The internet answered with deepfakes. - Poynter

Pope Francis warned against misinformation's societal harms, emphasizing its dangers and the importance of discerning truth.

fromBuzzFeed

Whoopi Goldberg Just Destroyed Trump's Baby Bonus Plan, And It's Exactly What We Were All Thinking

Maternal mortality and lack of family support systems are more pressing than increasing birth rates or population incentives.

fromKotaku

28 Years Later's Trailer Shows A Terrifyingly Weird World Most Zombie Movies Don't

Zombie films typically follow a familiar pattern, but '28 Years Later' breaks this mold by focusing on the surreal effects of a long-term zombie apocalypse.

Film

Mental health

Why Can't We Speak About Rape?

Sexual violence is underreported, affecting women, men, and children; silence exacerbates the trauma for victims.

NYC parents

fromMail Online

New study confirms Elon Musk's worst fear about life in the US

A growing number of Americans, especially young adults, are choosing to remain childless, signalling potential societal implications.

Silicon Valley

fromFast Company

Bill Gates isn't the first billionaire to try to save the world-and he'll fail for the same reasons the robber barons did

Bill Gates holds a paternalistic view that his wealth is beneficial, contrasting with other billionaires who face scrutiny.

Modern tech leaders justify wealth concentration by promising social benefits through philanthropy.

fromIndependent

Intellectual property law

Colum McCann: America has received a punch to the back of the head, and it feels like I have too

The disconnect between political decisions and their impact on personal health and well-being is profound.

fromInside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs

Yes, Academic Job Loss Really Is Different (opinion)

Executive orders are causing a generational loss in higher education, impacting both knowledge and scholars' livelihoods.

Productivity

Striving for efficiency is all very well, but it leaves no time to live | Eva Wiseman

Recent Apple update on email summaries highlights the clash of efficiency and personal communication.

Efforts for government efficiency often harm the most vulnerable, prioritizing cost-cutting over care.

fromSlate Magazine

A Certain Kind of TV Show Is More Popular Than Ever. Thank Trump and the State of the World.

The narrative revolves around a protagonist uncovering hidden agendas of powerful institutions and facing their impacts on society.

Women

fromwww.nytimes.com

Teenagers Say Girls Are Equal to Boys in School, or Are Ahead

Today's educational landscape shows a shift, where girls are perceived to have advantages over boys.

fromIrish Independent

The Indo Daily: Should Elon Musk's personal life be a cause for concern for women?

Musk's personal and professional lives collide, raising concerns about his influence and responsibilities.

fromCreative Bloq

Who's Accountable When AI Gets It Wrong?

AI amplifies gender bias in design and content generation, reflecting societal stereotypes at an unprecedented scale.

Tech industry

fromEntrepreneur

Can Innovation Be Ethical? Here's Why Responsible Tech is the Future of Business | Entrepreneur

Ethical technology is crucial for building a sustainable future and cannot be overlooked by businesses.

UK news

Revealed: at least 25 UK spy cops' had sex with deceived members of public

Undercover police officers deceived women by forming relationships without disclosing their true undercover status.

AI and the Asymptote of Consciousness

The belief in AI consciousness could alter societal laws and ethics, affecting human identity.

UK politics

fromDatebook | San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide

Venomous' attacks on attorney general undermining rule of law, say UK lawyers

Personal attacks on Attorney General Richard Hermer threaten public trust in the legal system and the rule of law.

6 months ago

'Vietnam' docuseries doesn't tell the whole story, but delivers a remarkable range of perspectives

An even-toned Ethan Hawke narrates much of the historical data. Old folks add context, color and infinite human factors, describing their times as tunnel rats, army nurses, both reluctant and gung ho.

Miscellaneous

7 months ago

It's Not Your Fault, and You Are Not Broken

Research indicates that 25 percent of children experience abuse and/or neglect, revealing a pressing societal issue that leaves deep psychological scars into adulthood.

Miscellaneous

fromFuturism

7 months ago

Humans Alarmed at AI Company's "Stop Hiring Humans" Billboards

Artisan, an AI startup known for its controversial slogan "Stop Hiring Humans," has stirred outrage in San Francisco, ignoring the city's significant housing and job crises.

Artificial intelligence

History

fromMedievalists.net

8 months ago

Weapons, Violence, and the Crusades: A Medieval Arms Race - Medievalists.net

Medieval weapons were catalysts of chaos, exacerbating violence and crime rates across societies.

Miscellaneous

fromSecuritymagazine

9 months ago

Active shooter preparedness: Past, present and future

The term 'active shooter' now symbolizes a persistent threat in American society, leading to significant impacts on preparedness and security measures.