There was a marvelous essay by Ismail Muhammad in the June 25, 2025 issue of The New York Times Magazine last week about the video ads we are seeing that promote A.I.

This was my favorite paragraph:

“The most galling ad features a woman who is hosting a “Moby Dick” book club. It’s unclear whether she has actually read any of the book. What is clear is that she doesn’t have the time or desire to think about it. No worry: Meta gives her a Melville-for-Dummies gloss on what the white whale represents (the vastness of life and meaninglessness of existence), and even suggests some conversation starters.”