Why does everything feel fake?

"Recent surveys show that Americans are more anxious than ever, and that worry is mixed with anger. People feel exploited, broke and unable to protect themselves from the looming catastrophes of war and environmental disaster. They are afraid of AI, afraid of getting sick or getting deported, afraid of having to work until they die." 

So much THIS. 

Back in the day, this was a NORMAL article, but these days, one might consider it LONG. Ann Powers has been a music journalist for a long while so her name is what got me to click on the article. https://www.npr.org/2026/10/27/nx-s1-5993861/why-does-everything-feel-fake-music-essay