Do Smartphones Create Distemper and Make Our Politics Insane?

This sounds dumb and almost conspiratorial, but I just want to say it: I suspect that the general sense of unease and panic in our politics is partly a physical and hormonal reaction to a novel substance introduced into the human environment by giant and somewhat nefarious corporations.

Let me preface this by saying that I’m a bit of a weirdo and faddist. I occasionally relieve stress by lying in a sensory-deprivation tank. I don’t like to diet to lose weight; I prefer extreme fasting. I write my columns for National Review at a standing desk. I’m too embarrassed to even tell you, dear reader, the remedies I’ve tried for snoring. I’m probably a crank, really.

About the Author

Michael Brendan Dougherty

Michael Brendan Dougherty is a senior writer at National Review Online.

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This sounds dumb and almost conspiratorial, but I just want to say it: I suspect that the general sense of unease and panic in our politics is partly a physical and hormonal reaction to a novel substance introduced into the human environment by giant and somewhat nefarious corporations.

Let me preface this by saying that I’m a bit of a weirdo and faddist. I occasionally relieve stress by lying in a sensory-deprivation tank. I don’t like to diet to lose weight; I prefer extreme fasting. I write my columns for National Review at a standing desk. I’m too embarrassed to even tell you, dear reader, the remedies I’ve tried for snoring. I’m probably a crank, really.