AI Writing and the Collapse of a Literate Culture

In 'Why We Drive,' Matthew B. Crawford blends philosophy and hands-on storytelling to explore the significance of driving in human life. The book delves into Crawford's own experiences restoring a vintage Volkswagen and his journeys through various automotive subcultures. It is a meditation on the competence of ordinary people, the rewards of 'folk engineering,' and the existential value of driving. Crawford argues against the trend of self-driving cars, highlighting the importance of human agency and the battle for democratic self-determination against surveillance capitalists. The book is a celebration of the human spirit and the freedom associated with driving.

In 'The Human Condition,' Hannah Arendt provides a comprehensive account of how human activities have been understood throughout Western history. She contrasts the 'vita activa' (active life) with the 'vita contemplativa' (contemplative life) and identifies three primary human activities: labor, work, and action. Arendt discusses how these activities have evolved and been affected by changes in Western history, emphasizing the importance of action in disclosing human identity and creating a 'space of appearances' through speech and deeds. The book addresses issues such as diminishing human agency, political freedom, and the paradox of increased human powers without corresponding control over their consequences.