“Mothers Forever Changed” stands out for me as a mother and for my personal interest in narrative intelligence and integrity (and the impact AI will have - for good and bad - on this). The Epstein files and the manner of their release represents the moment when the narrative integrity gap becomes personally visible to a mass audience. Mothers didn’t discover that powerful men abuse children last week: they discovered that the systems - justice, medical, social, political - that were supposed to prevent it and punish it were not functioning as described. The gap between the institutional claim and the institutional reality became impossible to ignore.
Causal statements, eg lightning causes fire or God causes lightning, are both defined as mythological thought. These may appear to be facts but they're actually the basis for mythology.
We are flooded, drowning in mythological fact, it infects everything. News, history, biography.
Brands built on narratives of personal responsibility, incremental progress, or individual sacrifice may increasingly feel out of step with how people now imagine salvation--- Jasmine Bina, 2026.
I find this observation of yours apt, Jasmine. I understand the concern that ethical brands have about artificial intelligence and its far-reaching consequences. It is in this area that I defer to your comprehensive worldview in cultural futurism, Ms. Bina.
Thank you for this article. I appreciate it a lot.
I agree, we’ve all witnessed too much now. Pulled back the curtain on the way humans actually operate: namely that no one is held accountable for their horrific and nefarious unchecked actions. Well, except for one solitary woman, apparently. I was once hopeful about AI, but after the revelations that have unfolded these past few weeks (stemming from decades), I can’t unsee how absolute power corrupts absolutely. The frontier of AI is controlled by the same corrupt small group of wealthy people, how could I ever expect it to go well? The small improvements AI provides will be dwarfed by the annihilation of so much when no one is held accountable. Again, I used to be an AI defender and also relatively optimistic about the human species, but I do feel that Future has died for me. Please show me how this doesn’t end in our demise.
Brilliant discussion on the futures that just died - thank you!
But I’m not clear on what specifically the three branches/futures are that you think worth noting - could you please elaborate?
“ When it comes to culture and the stories we use to define ourselves, a lot of branches have been freshly cut. There are **three in particular** that I think are worth noting. ”
Your insight is absolutely heartbreaking. "The future where our children are safe in the world we built." Recalls the motto of our time: "the future's a thing of the past," from the movie Children of Men. Thank you for sharing the futures cone concept, it's a useful tool.
“Mothers Forever Changed” stands out for me as a mother and for my personal interest in narrative intelligence and integrity (and the impact AI will have - for good and bad - on this). The Epstein files and the manner of their release represents the moment when the narrative integrity gap becomes personally visible to a mass audience. Mothers didn’t discover that powerful men abuse children last week: they discovered that the systems - justice, medical, social, political - that were supposed to prevent it and punish it were not functioning as described. The gap between the institutional claim and the institutional reality became impossible to ignore.
Causal statements, eg lightning causes fire or God causes lightning, are both defined as mythological thought. These may appear to be facts but they're actually the basis for mythology.
We are flooded, drowning in mythological fact, it infects everything. News, history, biography.
Brands built on narratives of personal responsibility, incremental progress, or individual sacrifice may increasingly feel out of step with how people now imagine salvation--- Jasmine Bina, 2026.
I find this observation of yours apt, Jasmine. I understand the concern that ethical brands have about artificial intelligence and its far-reaching consequences. It is in this area that I defer to your comprehensive worldview in cultural futurism, Ms. Bina.
Thank you for this article. I appreciate it a lot.
I agree, we’ve all witnessed too much now. Pulled back the curtain on the way humans actually operate: namely that no one is held accountable for their horrific and nefarious unchecked actions. Well, except for one solitary woman, apparently. I was once hopeful about AI, but after the revelations that have unfolded these past few weeks (stemming from decades), I can’t unsee how absolute power corrupts absolutely. The frontier of AI is controlled by the same corrupt small group of wealthy people, how could I ever expect it to go well? The small improvements AI provides will be dwarfed by the annihilation of so much when no one is held accountable. Again, I used to be an AI defender and also relatively optimistic about the human species, but I do feel that Future has died for me. Please show me how this doesn’t end in our demise.
Brilliant discussion on the futures that just died - thank you!
But I’m not clear on what specifically the three branches/futures are that you think worth noting - could you please elaborate?
“ When it comes to culture and the stories we use to define ourselves, a lot of branches have been freshly cut. There are **three in particular** that I think are worth noting. ”
Excellent. Immediate subscription.
Your insight is absolutely heartbreaking. "The future where our children are safe in the world we built." Recalls the motto of our time: "the future's a thing of the past," from the movie Children of Men. Thank you for sharing the futures cone concept, it's a useful tool.