Flagship’s departing lead writer reflects on fertilizer crisis and AI’s rise

The departing lead writer of the newsletter Flagship uses his last edition to trace the publication’s origins to the 2022 fertilizer scare triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which raised concerns about rising fertilizer costs and potential food shortages, given that half of global nitrogen in crops comes from fertilizer. He cites economist Howard T Odum’s 1971 warning that modern agriculture depends on oil-derived inputs.

Although fertilizer lacked headline appeal, Flagship chose to cover it extensively, publishing dozens of pieces this summer alone. He contrasts this with the rapid emergence of AI, noting that when Flagship launched, tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E were still novelties, yet they have since become trillion-dollar forces with profound societal implications. The writer asserts that both fertilizer and AI, though different in glamour, are vital issues that the newsletter strives to highlight. He concludes by thanking readers, expressing pride in the work, and stating that the briefing will thrive without his involvement.