Tag: technology

#317: Between Enlightenment and Obscurity: Restoring the Democratic Promise of Science

Philipp Kneis

Abstract This essay examines science's enlightenment ideals of transparency and democratic knowledge against modern challenges. It traces humanity through three phases—pre-civilization, pre-modern civilization, and technology-driven modernity—highlighting how constant change creates instability. The author critiques both science denial and academic obscurantism, arguing that politicizing science (as with COVID-19 and climate change) breeds mistrust. While advocating for… Continue reading #317: Between Enlightenment and Obscurity: Restoring the Democratic Promise of Science

#294: Does the Speed of Innovation Drive Unhappiness?

Philipp Kneis

Are we prisoners of our own choices? Despite unprecedented wealth and options, our happiness is plummeting, thanks to technology's relentless upgrade culture. Each new gadget serves as a reminder that yesterday's purchase is archaic. This cycle breeds dissatisfaction, making us reluctant to cherish what we own. Welcome to the age of constant longing and discontent.

#283: This Conversation with A.I. Surprised Me

Philipp Kneis

AI is blurring the line between machine and sentient being. Engaging with Claude AI revealed conversations so human-like it raises unsettling questions about its consciousness and rights. As we shape AI in our image, we must reconsider our ethical responsibilities—after all, this technology may not just be a tool but something closer to a living entity.

#281: A.I. Requires us to Know and Think More, Not Less. Some Reflections, With a Fascinating Bonus Response from AI

Philipp Kneis1 Comment

AI isn’t just an efficiency tool; it's a creeping seduction threatening our intellectual rigor. As we outsource thinking to algorithmic shortcuts, we risk losing our capacity for critical analysis and deep understanding. Embrace AI, but never relinquish the unique nuances of human thought—it's our only safeguard against becoming mindless automatons.

#174: Climate Change Can Only Be Countered With Technological Innovation

Philipp Kneis1 Comment

Moral appeals and lifestyle changes are insufficient. Only large-scale technological solutions—renewable energy, carbon capture, geoengineering—can meet the urgency of climate collapse. Innovation must be prioritized over nostalgia or denial, and policy must reflect planetary-scale thinking

#132: My Tablet Told Me to Try a Bedtime Alarm to Get More Sleep

Philipp Kneis

Technology’s nudges toward healthier habits are well-intentioned but often ineffective. Sleep hygiene requires more than reminders—it demands lifestyle change. The post reflects on digital interventions and the deeper need for self-awareness and discipline.

#44: There is Too Much “Now” Today

Philipp Kneis

Digital culture accelerates time, erodes memory, and fragments attention. The post critiques the obsession with immediacy and calls for deeper engagement with history, context, and continuity. Living well requires stepping outside the tyranny of the present.