: This "optimistic bias" leads to a dangerous lack of investment in preventative systems. 3. "But Still, Like Air, I'll Rise" (e-flux)

The phrase appears in several significant long-form articles and literary contexts, often used as a metaphor for things that are essential yet overlooked until they are missing. 1. ‘LinkedIn is like air to me’ (Nature, 2025)

This long-form Nature career column explores how scientists and researchers have come to rely on social platforms for professional survival. The article details:

: How certain privileges and systems operate invisibly in the background.

Several scientific reviews use "like air" to describe the ubiquitous impact of modern technology and pollution: