Lately (the last 5 years)

 The first half of the 2020s has been incredibly eventful, marked by a combination of global challenges and rapid technological advancements. Here's a summary of the major themes:

Global Events and Society:

 * The COVID-19 Pandemic: This was the defining event of the early 2020s. The global lockdowns, the shift to remote work and school, and the development and rollout of vaccines fundamentally changed daily life, economies, and social interactions worldwide.

 * Geopolitical Conflicts: The decade has been shaped by significant international conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

 * Social Movements: Protests against police brutality and for social justice, like the George Floyd protests, sparked a global conversation about race and systemic inequality.

Technology:

 * The Rise of AI: Artificial intelligence has moved from a niche field to a mainstream technology. The public release of tools like ChatGPT has made generative AI accessible to a wide audience, sparking both excitement and concern about its impact on creative work, education, and the future of labor.

 * The "Creator Economy": Social media continued to evolve, with platforms like TikTok and the rise of short-form video content changing how we consume media. The creator economy, where individuals build audiences and monetize their content, has become a significant force.

 * Remote Work: While the shift to remote work was accelerated by the pandemic, it has become a lasting trend for many industries, fundamentally altering the traditional office environment.

This has been a period of immense change and disruption, where a global health crisis and its aftermath have coincided with a technological boom that is reshaping our future.