The Nervous State Between Hobbesian Nature and Civil Society

The emergence of a nervous state is blurring the boundaries between the Hobbesian state of nature and civil society. In this new state, individuals are constantly alert and lack the capacity to rely on institutions or each other. Digital technology, with its military legacy, is a key force driving this change. Devices and data analytics keep individuals constantly on edge, receiving unrelenting and ever-changing information that hinders the establishment of peace and trust.