"…may you live in interesting times…"
"…may you live in interesting times…"
The ancient Buddhist proverb has never felt more relevant than it does today.
The ancient Buddhist proverb has never felt more relevant than it does today.
Technology has transformed the 21st-century 'public square' into a globalized web of instant communication.
Technology has transformed the 21st-century 'public square' into a globalized web of instant communication.
Accessible from anywhere.
Accessible from anywhere.
Open to everyone.
Open to everyone.
No part of modern life is untouched by rapid technological change.
No part of modern life is untouched by rapid technological change.
Digital content ad infinitum — available 24/7 — a touch away, in everyone's pocket.
Digital content ad infinitum — available 24/7 — a touch away, in everyone's pocket.
Every day, entire populations converge online via social media.
Every day, entire populations converge online via social media.
Universality of personal devices — be it smartphone, tablet, console, or computer — has brought together a global community of almost 4 billion people.
Universality of personal devices — be it smartphone, tablet, console, or computer — has brought together a global community of almost 4 billion people.
Society is being driven forward at an unprecedented pace.
Society is being driven forward at an unprecedented pace.
But the internet has not democratized our world.
But the internet has not democratized our world.
“Monopoly is a terrible thing, till you have it.” – Rupert Murdoch
“Monopoly is a terrible thing, till you have it.” – Rupert Murdoch
93% of all online use routes through just seven corporate platforms.
93% of all online use routes through just seven corporate platforms.
Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet (Google) and Facebook dominate the global internet economy.
These five "Big Tech" corporations boast an output greater than the entire GDP of oil-rich Saudi Arabia. Their 2019-2020 revenues exceeded $1 trillion. Their annual economic growth outpaces every country on Earth, China included.
“In a society governed passively by free markets and free elections, organized greed always defeats disorganized democracy.” – Matt Taibbi
“In a society governed passively by free markets and free elections, organized greed always defeats disorganized democracy.” – Matt Taibbi
Which of these works will best describe what's coming?
"Utopia" …?
"Brave New World" …?
"1984" …?
"Neuromancer" …?
"Vurt" …?
"Dark City" …?
"We" …?
"The Matrix" …?
“The internet is deceptive. It constantly asks you to comment but doesn’t care in the slightest what you say.”