The Unbearable Joy of Sitting Alone in A Cafe. If you’re over 40 this is so weird, a person who has never lived without constant technological distractions, marveling at what life is like without them. Sometimes people call this “like the 90s”. Yes, and also the 80s, the 70s, and every other decade back to the beginning of time. This right now is the anomaly, and I’m going to enjoy its shiny toys while they last, but I’ll be relieved when it’s over.

— Ran Prieur, 2026