At Trump’s State of the Union address, Marco Rubio was scrolling on his phone. No is immune to the algorithm

When Auguste Rodin first conceptualised what would become The Thinker, the figure was intended to represent the poet Dante Alighieri, surveying the damned at the Gates of Hell. Over its many iterations through the early 20th century, however, the brass sculpture of a brooding male figure came to stand in for the modern man instead: Solitary, self-possessed, lost in contemplation. Over a century later, what might the search for a representation of the contemporary human condition yield? Would it involve a distracted figure, head bowed, shoulders rounded, face lit up by the glow of the device nestled firmly in the palm?

Take, for instance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State of the Union address on Wednesday. Moments after a shout-out by the American President, Rubio was caught on camera scrolling intently on his smartphone. Or, at the BAFTA awards earlier in the week, where actor Paul Mescal, all brooding charm and award-season glow-up, was found lost in the dopamine high of notifications when the host called out to him. No one, it appears, is immune to the temptations of the algorithm. The appeal of other rooms, other wonders has pushed humans to great discoveries. But if Rodin’s The Thinker wrestled with eternity and damnation, the tragedy of the Age of the Scroller is not that of distraction, but of perpetual absence — from the richness of curiosity, the fullness of human emotions, the push and pull of the here and now. To be always connected is increasingly to never be in the moment — to be always adjacent to one’s own experience, the blue screen an interface with the world.

Overall Analysis

This editorial reflects on the changing nature of human attention in the digital age, using cultural symbolism and contemporary political moments to make its argument. It begins with a reference to Auguste Rodin and his iconic sculpture The Thinker, originally inspired by Dante Alighieri. The author contrasts Rodin’s solitary, contemplative figure — representing deep thought and introspection — with a modern image of a human being bent over a smartphone. This metaphor establishes the central theme: the erosion of presence and contemplation in the age of digital distraction.

The piece then shifts to real-life examples. At a State of the Union address associated with Donald Trump, Marco Rubio is described as scrolling on his phone moments after being acknowledged. Similarly, at the BAFTA awards, actor Paul Mescal is portrayed as absorbed in notifications rather than the live event around him. These examples demonstrate that even powerful political leaders and glamorous celebrities are not immune to algorithm-driven distraction.

The editorial uses the phrase “No one is immune to the temptations of the algorithm” to suggest that digital platforms are engineered to capture and hold attention. The word “algorithm” here symbolizes not just technology but an entire system of engineered engagement — one that thrives on dopamine hits and constant stimulation.

Importantly, the author argues that the tragedy is not mere distraction but “perpetual absence.” This is a deeper philosophical claim. Unlike Rodin’s Thinker, who wrestles with eternal questions, the modern individual risks being perpetually “adjacent” to their own experience — present physically, but mentally elsewhere. The blue glow of the screen becomes a metaphor for mediated living, where reality is filtered through digital interfaces rather than directly experienced.

Stylistically, the editorial blends cultural history, satire, and philosophical reflection. It moves from art to politics to pop culture, creating a layered critique of contemporary life. The language is reflective and slightly melancholic, inviting readers to examine their own habits rather than simply judging public figures.

Important Vocabulary (5)

1. Conceptualised – formed an idea or plan in the mind.
2. Brooding – deeply or seriously thoughtful, often in a dark way.
3. Dopamine – a chemical in the brain associated with pleasure and reward.
4. Perpetual – continuing forever or for a very long time without interruption.
5. Adjacent – next to or close to something, but not fully part of it.

Conclusion & Tone

The editorial argues that the defining condition of modern life is not thoughtfulness but distraction — not solitude but algorithm-driven engagement. By contrasting Rodin’s contemplative man with today’s scrolling figure, it suggests that technology has altered not just habits but the very nature of human presence.

Tone: Reflective, ironic, and gently critical, with a philosophical undertone about attention and modern existence.