One curious facet of modern life is that the attention of people all over the world can be and frequently is focused simultaneously on one dramatic survival story somewhere.
Our inter-linking global communications network is very good at drawing attention to stories like that missing Titanic sub with five occupants, a case that ended tragically Thursday. Or more happily, the mystery of the four Colombian children who were rescued after surviving in the Amazonian jungle on their own for 40 days after their plane crashed.
Two similar survival stories, one with a happy ending, the other one, sad, but both played out with the whole world watching, hanging on every twist and turn.
In the process, what is emerging is a new global culture based on common interpretations of shared narratives around common frames of reference. It’s like listening to the same music, eating the same food, or wearing the same fashions.
Only this part is about how to survive against the odds.
I’m not sure whether any of this will help us solve the very real differences that our separate nations, tribes, religions, ideologies and orientations maintain, but it certainly lays the groundwork for a more unified frame of reference going forward.
After all, the stories we tell ourselves may prove critical in the end to our own chances for survival in an age of climate change. Since we are all in this together, sharing the same stories at least gives us a better chance, one hopes, in the larger existential battle we face as a species.
And it just might be nice if that one turned out to be a story without end.
LINKS:
With China in mind, Biden and Modi to seal deals from space to chips, 5G to critical minerals (SCMP)
How India Profits From Its Neutrality in the Ukraine War (NYT)
Where abortion stands in each state a year since the overturning of Roe v. Wade (ABC)
A year after fall of Roe, 25 million women live in states with abortion bans or tighter restrictions (AP)
House fails to overturn Biden veto in effort to cancel student debt relief (The Hill)
Middle America's 'doom loop' (Insider)
U.S. Postal Service warning users against sending checks through the mail (CBS)
Why has America changed its mind on Ukraine joining NATO? (Economist)
Putin Is Now Very Worried About Crimea (Newsweek)
Ukrainian missiles struck the Chonhar road bridge connecting Crimea with Russian-held parts of the southern Kherson region overnight, Russian-appointed officials said. (Reuters)
Zelensky says Russia is planning to sabotage Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant (WP)
Opinion | The Trump Divide that Should Have Republicans Terrified (Politico)
Missing Titanic sub crew dead after 'catastrophic implosion' (CNN)
A top-secret U.S. Navy acoustic system reportedly picked up the sound of the Titan submersible imploding shortly after the vessel vanished Sunday. [AP]
AI Is an Existential Threat to Itself (Atlantic)
Military AI’s Next Frontier: Your Work Computer (Wired)
OpenAI’s CEO Goes on a Diplomatic Charm Offensive (Foreign Policy)
How AI is reshaping demand for IT skills and talent (CIO)
Nearly half of US honeybee colonies died last year. Beekeepers struggle to keep the population stable (AP)
Ecological tipping points could occur much sooner than expected, study finds (Guardian)
The world’s waste problem is growing fast (Economist)
UN warns Taliban that restrictions on Afghan women and girls make recognition `nearly impossible’ (AP)
Nature vs. nurture - what twin studies mean for economics (NPR)
The stigma around mental health is fading, with celebrities playing a role (WP)
Library Drops Dewey Decimal System By Organizing All Titles Under ‘B’ For Books (The Onion)
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