Exploring the societal implications of technological advancements, this chapter delves into the evolving landscape of smartphone usage and its impact on social interactions. From changing phone sizes to the release of new tech like Vision Pro, the discussion highlights the challenges of screen addiction, isolation, and the changing dynamics of human connection in the face of rapid technological evolution. Reflecting on the necessity of maintaining human-centric existence amidst digital speed, the chapter emphasizes the importance of adapting norms, institutions, and habits to foster conviviality and deep human connections in an accelerating world.
The world of today would seem alien to someone living 30 years ago: people seduced by their screens in private and public and now AI blurring the lines between humans and the machine. Author and technologist Azeem Azhar chronicles the pace of change and asks whether the human experience can cope with that pace while preserving what is fundamentally human.