In a recent personal experience on a flight from Porto Seguro to São Paulo, a tragic incident occurred where a man suffered a cardiac arrest and died before the plane could land in Vitória. Notably, the surrounding passengers, rather than responding in compassion, filmed the event with their cell phones, highlighting a disturbing aspect of contemporary society. This incident sets the stage for Ian McEwan's upcoming book, 'O Que Podemos Saber', which is set to be published by Companhia das Letras in March.

The book presents a narrative set in a post-apocalyptic future where a university professor is on a quest to locate a brilliant poem that was lost one hundred years ago, during a time when the grim forecasts about climate change and nuclear war had not yet come to fruition. McEwan's work delves into the complexities of modern existence, prompting readers to reflect on the malaises that characterize contemporary life, including the digital detachment represented by the passengers recording the tragedy.

As the story unfolds, McEwan invites readers to ponder not only the destruction of the world as we know it but also the loss of profound connections in an increasingly mediated society. Through this exploration, the author confronts the discomfort of our current reality while holding a mirror to the societal behaviors that often escape critical examination.