That’s not a dynamic that’s restricted to right now, but we used to have other means of creating self-satisfaction. Back when work was considered primarily about craftsmanship, there was identification with occupation, which created a sense of purpose and worth. But the jobs that (I’m constantly told) are the jobs of the future are increasingly devoid of autonomy, a connection between quality and compensation, and the production of tangible goods. Meanwhile, the religious convictions and civic engagements that previously had a lot to do with self-worth and fulfillment have both declined, thanks to a rise in atheism (or at least in fulfilled belief) and the demise of non-occupational social organizations.

Alexis’s article was filled with a childish despair that deserved the sarcastic response posted here, but the statement of being able to do a bunch of disparate and far-reaching tasks using a smart phone, and even being able to do all of that while in Afghanistan, one of the most isolated places on earth, is a simple statement of fact. A fact reinforced by Ackerman’s snark. Yes he has to be in Afghanistan to be surveilled by a drone… in Afghanistan. Is that really your great insight Spencer?

A note to the commenters: you do realize that technical accuracy is beside the point of either article? It’s bizarre to focus on that.

OK I’m done.

*much more powerful military camera suites, with names like Gorgon Stare and ARGUS, are coming online soon. At their most powerful, they will see a city-sized swath at a time. Continent-spanning drone surveillance will come the Monday after we all have jetpacks. And I’d actually prefer it if there was, because when you’re seeing a picture of that size, the human analysts who will have to interpret that data will be too overwhelmed, cognitively, for any individual to be meaningfully spied upon. BUT ANYWAY.