Online learning, electronic economic transactions, AI-generated anything, passive consumption of knowledge, information, or experiences, fake news, video games, Google Meet. What do all these things have in common? They are various reflections of our virtual reality. “Virtual” because they do not represent engagement with the real world. But just what is reality anyway?
Recently, I had a chance to chat about this with Daniele Bolelli, who also has a newsletter here on Substack as well as a very popular podcast, History on Fire. What will it mean for us as a species if we continue down this path toward an ever-increasing disconnect with the real world and each other?
As we are inclined to do as historians, Daniele and I ponder the past, but also the present and future and the very impulses that make us human, to identify what is real and how we can get back in touch with it before it’s too late. We met via zoom. The irony was not lost on us.
Enjoy!
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