The In-Between by E. Imboden is a short, pithy, but deeply insightful look at the fractured state of particularly American society, but society in general, over the past few decades. The author examines the paradigm on which most Western civilizations were established and concludes that the old contract that exchanged individual work and community contribution for protection, safety, and sustainable living has essentially broken down and will soon collapse under the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The author posits that although technology in the past has erased certain historical opportunities, there have always been new pathways to allow citizens to resume their upward mobility. This will potentially not be the case with the rise of AI, where entire swaths of human endeavor will be replaced by this new technology. The increasing unrest, polarization, and societal fragmentation we see today will, potentially, pale into insignificance under mass unemployment brought about by a lack of paid employment opportunities. The author concludes by offering a path for government, communities, and individuals to create and implement a new social contract.

The In-Between explains and categorizes the current political climate that we struggle to comprehend. E. Imboden traces the fall from a society that traded work for a sense of belonging to one that now seems riven by hate, blame, and fearmongering. The author links political posturing and rhetoric with a resurgence in people’s search for meaning in religion, nostalgia, and seeking scapegoats for the economic position they now find themselves in. The book did not stop at pointing out the collapse of the social contract, but put forward a blueprint for the way, potentially, society could rewrite that social contract to ensure that displaced, disenfranchised, and angry people do not rise into organized and violent resistance. This author has done an excellent job of outlining the problem and offering a solution. I would love to read a more in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the failures of the current contract and options for the future from this insightful and talented individual. Forget immigration, economic hardship, political rhetoric, and scapegoating; this situation is possibly the greatest threat ever to organized Western democracy and is worthy of thought and hopefully workable solutions. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

Older readers will recall the happier days of the previous century, when there was a social contract between the government and its citizens. The rules of the game were not necessarily embodied in law, but provided a structure for society that was stable and suited most of the people most of the time. Honest work earned a fair reward. However, as time passed, the trust that held it together eroded. E. Imboden analyses the reasons for this in The In-Between. However, the system was never perfect. Some people were excluded, underpaid, marginalized, or not valued. Inequality deepened as new technology, globalization, and evolving institutions changed the economic and political landscape. The rules no longer fit. Life no longer made sense, and the shared vision evaporated. Internet information lacked verification, and facts became blurred. From an employment perspective, people were no longer important, as advanced automation and AI replaced routine tasks. The middle class came under threat. Job security was replaced with uncertainty and short-term contracts. People became units of work. Professions and occupations disappeared. Status and dignity were lost. The economic and social impact was profound, and resentment grew.

The In-Between points out that a new social contract is needed. It offers a glimpse into a future society where people can adapt their roles to teach, become caregivers, look after the environment, raise children, and perform community work. The author suggests a more inclusive society that is compatible with AI. Individuals will be able to build new identities and participate in the community, while retaining their dignity. But first, what is needed is to restore trust in institutions such as journalism, science, the legal system, libraries, schools, and public healthcare. E. Imboden excels in providing incisive comments on complex social issues, while offering practical solutions. This book is not about apportioning blame or a call to turn back the clock. It should be seen as a roadmap to fix the system. The writing is concise and effective. I was particularly impressed with the analysis of AI and its impact. This is one of the few books that contextualize the implications of AI in a manner that can be readily understood by a wide spectrum of readers. The future is still evolving, with us caught between the old and the new. Society has the opportunity to set a new course while there is still time. I highly recommend this thought-provoking work.

No one is denying that the world has changed. The world that our grandparents lived in, and even the world that our parents lived in, has ceased to exist. And we are now facing a world filled with entirely new challenges, but also entirely new opportunities. The problem is that the changes our world is facing feel hard. They feel confusing. They feel terrifying. And when people feel scared, confused, or incapable … it leads to bigger problems than just a changing world. The In-Between by E. Imboden is about just what those feelings are doing to our society, and what we need to do to create a positive future. It’s not as difficult as we might think.

E. Imboden explores many of the problems happening in our world in a way that makes sense. The author looks at the way society has evolved and what that means for people, and how those changes have changed us. The In-Between: Living Through the Collapse of the Old Social Contract is well-written and intriguing. It draws you in and makes you think hard at the same time. That’s probably the most important part: making people think about what they’re doing and where they’re going so that we can create a positive future for ourselves and our children. This book isn’t exactly a how-to on what we need to do to get there, but it is a look back at how we got where we are now, and that’s an important start to a better future. Overall, it is a good read and definitely informative.

The In-Between by E. Imboden is a study of how daily life in the United States lost its organizing logic, as core institutions shifted together. The author talks about how an older social agreement tied effort to security, and how that agreement unraveled as employment stopped offering future stability. The author shows readers how insecurity reshaped public life, turning anger—framed through nostalgia—into tools that organize collective identity. The narrative traces how digital systems altered public reality and how automation began replacing cognitive labor, while concentrating control. The argument is linked to how societies respond when structures stop delivering predictability during this interval. Written for general readers, this book frames the present moment as a passage between systems molded by decisions about human worth going forward under changing social conditions.

E. Imboden’s The In-Between: Living Through the Collapse of the Old Social Contract is a brilliant sociological study, taking its name from a period after familiar social guarantees fade, but before a new settlement takes hold, which becomes the titular In-Between. This is an extraordinarily timely book, and Imboden does an excellent job of addressing areas like post-pandemic work volatility. I particularly like the leaning into automated decision systems entering white-collar fields, which totally mirrors present deployments of generative tools across finance and education. The author writes in a direct, straightforward style that is polished and accessible. I think the style would be best described as conversationally academic, where it is comfortable enough for readers with little prior knowledge, and fleshed out enough for those who do. Overall, this book will appeal to those who appreciate intelligent reading on social policy, media, and tech literacy, with an interest in civic impact. Very highly recommended.