PsycHacks Episode 590: Why the world is falling apart (turning down the genie)
19 snips
Jan 23, 2026 A look at why rapid change feels like societal collapse and how easy gratification fuels it. A genie metaphor connects magical technologies to fading virtues like patience. Parables and contrasts show who benefits from change and who is left behind. A final challenge: refusing instant solutions is rare and unlikely to reverse the trend.
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Rapid Change, Not Apocalypse
- People fear we're nearing the end times, but Orion Taraban argues change—not extinction—is imminent and rapid.
- Rapid change will create winners who adapt and losers who fall away in familiar historical patterns.
The Genie Parable
- Orion uses a genie-and-wishes parable to show how people respond to effortless fulfillment of desire.
- The vast majority will accept the genie's gifts rather than refuse instant gratification for virtue's sake.
Technology As The Modern Genie
- Orion equates modern technologies to magic lamps that cheaply and quickly satisfy desires.
- Because technologies function like genies, people naturally use them rather than refuse them.
