Jan 6, 2025, 9:14 PM
Jan 6, 2025, 1:10 PM

Technological reforms spark debate in London Review of Substacks

Provocative
Highlights
  • Daniel B plans to write 13 blog posts in 2025, with specific writing goals.
  • Ed West expresses optimism about advancements in modern medicine and technology.
  • The conversation highlights the balance between personal resolutions and societal changes.
Story

In 2025, many individuals reflect on their resolutions and the desire to improve different aspects of their lives. One of these individuals, Daniel B, author of the Substack Soup of the Night, has decided to focus on enhancing his writing output. After reviewing his productivity over the past year and a half, where he produced only 11 posts, he recognizes the need for change. In response, Daniel has set the ambitious goal of writing at least 13 blog posts throughout the year, ensuring that all but one of these compositions will exceed 700 words. To maintain consistency, he also vows to publish at least once per month during 2025. If he fails to meet this monthly objective, the target for the subsequent total will be adjusted, effectively raising the stakes for his writing journey. Grounding such a resolution in a practical understanding, Daniel acknowledges the potential for life’s unpredictability to interfere with these goals. Without ambiguity, he notes that an exhaustive approach yields important results, highlighting the advantages of preset rules as a means of keeping oneself accountable. At the same time, Ed West, a writer known for his grim views on politics and culture, displays a contrasting outlook within the same temporal frame of resolutions. Despite his tendency towards pessimism, West expresses a rare sense of optimism in the potential of modern medicine to extend human life significantly. He believes that advancements could soon lead us to live up to 300 years, albeit with society's increasing reliance on technology for entertainment. West references the notable development in gene editing, citing the successful treatment of diseases such as sickle-cell anemia and cystic fibrosis. He conveys a compelling message of gratitude for existing in a time filled with scientific marvels and improvements to health and longevity. Although West's aforementioned positivity appears uncharacteristic, he assures his audience that his trademark pessimism will reemerge after the holiday period. Reflecting broader societal shifts, this dialogue touches not only on personal improvement efforts but also on the transformative impact advancements in technology and medicine have on individuals and communities. The atmosphere surrounding personal resolutions serves as a microcosm of the ongoing evolution affecting the fabric of society. As individuals navigate their aspirations for 2025, they simultaneously grapple with external influences that shape their outlook and possibilities for the future. Daniel B and Ed West thus represent two sides of a contemporary conversation that weighs individual goals against the backdrop of rapid change, underscoring an inherent tension between optimism and realism. Finally, the discourse surrounding these resolutions not only emphasizes personal ambition but also illustrates a critical examination of historical contexts in relation to present-day life. It provokes consideration of past reformers like Robert Peel, whose extraordinary accomplishments amid societal disorder echo through the ages, inspiring contemporary individuals to rethink their own contributions and responsibilities. Such reflections reveal the intricate interplay between personal initiative and the wider transformations occurring within society as the new year unfolds.

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