How Engineered Dependency Erases Our Autonomy

Source: Brownstone Institute
by Josh Stylman

“Picture this: Your smartphone dies while you’re on a trip, and suddenly, you’re helpless — unable to navigate, pay, or even access your hotel reservation. This isn’t hypothetical; it’s our reality. According to DataReportal’s ‘Digital 2024 Global Overview Report‘ the average person now spends over 7 hours daily on digital devices, with 47% reporting anxiety when separated from their phones. What once was a minor inconvenience has now become a crisis, revealing how deeply we’ve integrated technology into our daily existence — from ordering coffee to proving our identity. George Orwell envisioned a dystopia of forced submission, but he missed something crucial: people willingly surrendering their freedoms for convenience.” (11/29/24)

https://brownstone.org/articles/how-engineered-dependency-erases-our-autonomy/