For the first time in the 25-year history of the World Press Freedom Index, more than half of the world's countries now fall into the 'difficult' or 'very serious' categories for press freedom. The share is 52.2 per cent, up from 13.7 per cent when Reporters Without Borders first published the index in 2002.
Imagination, the ability that allows us to mentally represent things that are not directly perceived by our senses, is on the decline. It's one of the effects that new technologies have had on our minds, and public discourse appears to have all but forgotten it as a key cognitive resource.
Where previous generations experienced anticipation as a natural rhythm of correspondence, we now interpret any delay as rejection, disinterest, or worse. The space that once existed between communications-space that allowed for reflection, longing, and genuine excitement-has been compressed into a continuous stream of micro-interactions that leave us exhausted rather than energized.
All those highly-paid suits are at risk as AI agents, AI models designed to autonomously carry out certain tasks, promise to do what they do with instant results - and without six-figure salary demands.
I'm interested in the role of technology in modern life, fundamentally. Instead of putting the kibosh on devices entirely, we need to treat modern society like a teenager on a rebellious streak.
