Digital technology and the evolution of human-screen interaction

The relationship between humans and digital technology has evolved from remote control to direct physical interaction. Over the last forty years, gestures have shifted from the distant ‘zap’ of a television remote to the close-range ‘click’, ‘scroll’, and ‘swipe’ of smartphones. This physical proximity has coincided with a loss of user agency; while early users chose channels, modern users are increasingly subject to algorithmic curation.

This digital integration is linked to a broader techno-neoliberal and extractivist model. Major technology platforms utilize algorithms and artificial intelligence to homogenize thought and maximize profits through targeted advertising. This economic model drives interest in the extraction of resources like lithium and rare earth metals. The influence of these technological and economic interests is increasingly seen in global politics, with certain leaders adopting ideologies that favor these interests over traditional liberal democratic constraints.