What is High Agency?

Tai August 13, 2025

What is high agency?

I believe high agency might be the most important idea of the 21st century. When I first learned of high agency, it felt like a secret that had been hidden from me.

So, what is it?

In a 1964 public inquiry into whether the film The Lovers should be banned for its adult content, Supreme Court judge Justice Potter Stewart was asked to define pornography. He replied with the ultimate non-definition:

“I know it when I see it”.

High agency is one of those “I know it when I see it” ideas. And once you see it – you can’t unsee it. Before I explain it, let’s see it.