French philosopher Paul Virilio dedicated much of his academic study to speed and modern warfare, placing particular emphasis on how these technologies impact everyday life and our interactions with one another. I came across him while researching an essay on VR, a few years before mobile phones and internet connectivity transformed society. His insights sparked my own interest in technology and, more importantly, fundamentally altered the way I perceived and understood the world around me.

Coming across this quote recently, in the midst of the latest concerns about AI and social media, it occurred to me that his essays and books are more relevant today than ever before.