I just noticed the "no politics" rule, despite being constituted as a shower thought. If a mod believes this to be a violation, I understand.

I think COVID gave big-tech a rather HUGE boost, as it restricted non-tech businesses, while actively promoting tech as the substitute. As for safety hysteria, I want to clarify I don't believe COVID itself was pure hysteria, although I do believe policy makers overstepped, and in turn caused excessive harm to youth for instance. Instead I'd argue the hysteria for COVID surrounding safety, extends into modern society, and is applied to subjects like social media bans and occupancy levels at buildings for instance. And finally for the "expert" obedience part, or rather a technocratic approach over a democratic one, can be seen in politics being "advised" by "experts" rather than by democratic will, the excessive presence of "experts" at talk-shows for instance, and the most obvious being social-media censorship surrounding COVID skepticism, as outright "misinformation". Even though a lot of it is purely nonsensical speculation of course.

Regarding technology having increasing since its inception: that may be true, however I would argue the COVID pandemic having expanded its influence drastically, also in areas previously unexplored. Need an appointment at the barber? Got to plan that using a digital calendar on their website. Need some groceries? Oh, we can now just DoorDash. Have a job interview? Have a Zoom call instead of coming over in person. And I could go on, and on, and on. And regarding your last point, perhaps my issue lies more with the enforcement of expert opinions, and them being presented as ultimate truths, disregarding people’s own opinions. Although I do agree genuine experts to be valuable, there’s also a lot that pretend to be that, while having a conflict of interest.

E: clarification