In this Noēma essay, Laura J. Martin, an environmental studies professor, examines how the internet has transformed from a place we once visited during dial-up days into an environment we always inhabit—seeping into our most private spaces like the bathroom. Martin argues that in the age of AI, we mistakenly treat intelligence as disembodied and placeless, when in fact it is environmental and physical. Her call to action? Think beyond screen time, and start restricting screen space.
“brb” once acknowledged departure and faith in return. It reminded us of the body behind the screen. Now, we are infinitely available, and AI is sold to us as the tireless and needless assistant. But our bodies continue to live in the world with stubborn persistence, despite Silicon Valley’s dream of the immortal avatar, the ability to upload our essence into a durable machine, which is a dream of escaping death and environment alike.
More picks about the internet
No iPad Till After Dinner, Mom
“Seniors are spending more time than ever on their slop-filled feeds. It’s their adult children’s job to save them.”
You Finally Got a Wikipedia Page. Then It Vanished.
“Every day, Wikipedia biographies of living people are flagged for deletion because the subjects are not ‘notable’ enough. How do these poor souls take the news?”
Who Can Solve Gerhard Berger’s Quiz?
“The former Ferrari driver lent his name to the strangest F1 video game in history. Or did he?”
How I Became the Villain of El Cerrito’s Nextdoor
“I had a panic attack. Then I wrote an apology letter.”
Dopamine TV
“How China’s short dramas are redefining entertainment.”
What If It All Came Out?
“We’re each attached to years of texts, searches, and photos, an archive of humiliation that could detonate at any time.”
