In his talk, Antón Barba-Kay probes how the logics of the digital world—endless choice, algorithmic optimization, and a veneer of neutrality—quietly erode the habits of judgment and shared reality that democracy depends on. He contrasts two futures: one that doubles down on engineering our information streams for “better” engagement, and another that rebuilds the slow disciplines of literacy, critical reading, and face-to-face deliberation. Arguing that democratic life cannot be outsourced to technical fixes, Barba-Kay calls for cultivating resilient publics capable of resisting the seductive efficiencies of digital culture while reclaiming a richer, more responsible form of self-government.

The Morningside Institute hosted a two-day conference on April 4–5, 2025. On its first day, the conference examined some of the radical changes that Western societies are undergoing. On the second day, we explored in greater detail historical examples of how communities have navigated periods of intense cultural change and even devastation. For more information about Living Well at the End of a World, please visit https://www.morningsideinstitute.org/living-well.