The Moynihan Report Is the internet a blessing or a curse? Moynihan & Rushkoff face off | The Moynihan Report
Sep 3, 2025
Douglas Rushkoff, a media theory professor and author of "Program or Be Programmed," dives into the complexities of the internet's impact on society. He discusses the balance between technology as a tool for empowerment versus a source of division. The conversation touches on the commercialization of online spaces, the societal ramifications of conspiracies, and the struggle for authenticity amid corporate interests. Rushkoff emphasizes the importance of fostering genuine connections and navigating the challenges posed by big tech and polarization in the digital age.
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Early Internet Was A Window Of Possibility
- Douglas Rushkoff warns the internet offered a window for societal change that many forces rushed to define.
- That early opportunity closed as commercial interests shaped the network's trajectory.
Attention Economy Damages Human Coherence
- Rushkoff argues the real harm is nervous-system decalibration from attention-harvesting systems.
- He links binary, absolutist online environments to loss of resilience and coherent public discourse.
Take A Weekly Tech Sabbath
- Try a weekly tech Sabbath to recalibrate your nervous system and family life.
- Use face-to-face local interaction to rebuild resilience and mutual aid.
