There is a relatively obscure book I like to reread at times like these called Berlin Diary by William L. Shirer, who is much better known for The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.
He published Diary in 1941 just as the cataclysm known as World War II was getting under way, and two decades before his other, larger work became a best-seller.
The reason I originally was attracted to earlier book, and still am, is that as an American journalist stationed in Europe, Shirer was able to capture the intrigue of a moment when everyone knew they were on the verge of something immense but none among them could possibly know the scale of what was about to happen, how bad it might get, or how it would all turn out in the end.
It is in these moments that we can hope for the best and prepare for the worst but we can’t possibly know. The relationships with family and friends that we cultivate, solidify or reignite at these times have the potential to help sustain us through the difficult weeks, months and years to come.
The movie Casablanca provides those same kinds of insights into the emotional intensity of such moments, and not surprisingly in retrospect, was released at roughly the same time as Berlin Diary.
Now it feels as if we may be at another one of those tipping points of history. Hopefully, this one will be less cataclysmic than global war, but the parallels between Trump and Hitler’s rise are too great to ignore. Trump is reshaping our lives and relationships as if we are collectively frozen in time watching a massive train wreck occur in slow motion.
The midterm elections (so banal-sounding!) are the moment for the impending crash.
In addition, unfortunately, we are facing an existential threat with AI.
It may prove to be at some future point that we were powerless to prevent the worst outcomes in the election — that like Shirer and Edward R. Murrow we are merely eyewitnesses to the history unfolding before us. Alternatively, it may be that by speaking out, standing up, and reaching out that we can as yet still avert the disaster that would be the collapse of our democracy under Trump, not to mention the collapse of humanity from AI.
But whatever may be about to happen — or more hopefully, not happen — we still have each other, and this is a good time to acknowledge that these connections matter.
HEADLINES:
Five men arrested in RAF Fairford incident released on police bail (BBC)
Trump cuts fuel economy standards back to 2014 levels (ArsTechnica)
‘We Are Losing Our Soul as a Nation’ (Bulwark)
Cooper holds 11-point lead over Whatley in North Carolina Senate race: Poll (The Hill)
In the World’s Tuna Capital, Fishermen Are Being Drawn Into a Deadly Drug War (WSJ)
Gone in 90 seconds: an ‘invisibilized’ ICE is arresting more people than ever (Guardian)
U.S. Pressure Is Awakening an Energy Giant in Canada (WSJ)
Trump Officials Revise Biden-Era Sex Discrimination Rules (NYT)
Former Cornell University student sues school, 7 fraternity members over rape allegations (CBS)
California Needs Water. El Niño Might Bring Too Much. (NYT)
Why is Ringo Starr still performing at 86? Because he can. (WP)
Senate Resoundingly Approves Sweeping College Sports Measure (NYT)
Who’s liable when AI agents go rogue? (TR)
OpenAI Says It Will Not Release Newest A.I. Model Over Safety Concerns (NYT)
OpenAI Has Gone Rogue (Atlantic)
Like drunk drivers, AI CEOs should be criminally liable (Money Trail)
AI is getting cheaper faster than any other transformative technology (Gradient)
The Id, the Ego and the Superintelligence (NYT)
Taylor Swift Surpasses Geppetto The Incredible Waltzing Horse As Most-Awarded VMAs Artist (Onion)
No comments:
Post a Comment