Substrate

Doug critiques Rose Horowitch's The Atlantic article, arguing that it oversimplifies the 'end of reading' narrative. He contends that the piece ignores broader societal factors, such as Big Tech and capitalism, and instead blames individuals for changing reading habits. Doug also highlights the author's moralistic stance and lack of substantial evidence, quoting David Hume's is-ought problem to illustrate the logical fallacy.

Doug explores the decline of ambiguity in society, driven by a desire for clarity and action. He highlights the concept of 'New Literalism', a cultural shift towards superficiality and disengagement from complex ideas, as exemplified by museums retreating from controversial topics. Doug argues that institutions should embrace ambiguity and foster media literacy to help communities navigate complex issues.

Doug summarises David Brooks' article from The Atlantic, which explores how AI usage varies based on individuals' predispositions, or their need for cognition. Brooks proposes a typology of users: Productive Passengers (low need for cognition), Reluctant Optimizers (medium need), and Mental Marathoners (high need), with Doug noting Brooks' concern about a potential "mental underclass" but finding the typology somewhat oversimplified.

Doug has added per-tag RSS feeds to his Substrate platform. For instance, the #philosophy tag now has a corresponding feed available at this link.

Doug appreciates this post for its nuanced perspective on AI trust. He highlights that the importance of AI's role varies greatly depending on the context, from significantly altering our interpretation of creative works to being largely inconsequential in everyday transactions. Doug shares his personal experiences using AI tools, demonstrating their integral role in his workflows and creative projects.

Doug's News Canary for 5 July 2026 is a weekly compilation of global change signals, blending hard developments and soft cultural shifts from each continent. It highlights key stories such as China's ethnic unity law, Venezuela's earthquakes, Peru's presidential election, and various geopolitical and environmental issues, all curated with a focus on scale, impact, and future potential.

Doug has officially launched his new venture, FIELD STATION, along with Tom Watson. The company has been incorporated at Companies House and is now operational, with Doug currently setting up bank accounts and accounting software. He is eager to find clients and encourages interested parties to get in touch.

Doug argues that the focus should not be on whether something is AI or not, but rather on the practical outcomes it produces. He criticises those who fetishise human creativity and misunderstand the role of tools as amplifiers, not causal agents. Doug chooses to live his values and evaluate the difference AI makes in practice, rather than policing its use.

Doug notes that renewables are currently providing 112% of the UK's energy demand, with the excess being exported. According to the data, the UK's electricity generation mix is over 90% renewables, comprising wind, solar, and hydro power. This milestone suggests that the country could potentially run on renewables alone, were it not for the need to maintain gas power for stability purposes.