When we think of building, it is different from creating. That’s true when we think about it. In building, there is also something called the setup stage. In most cases, especially in the technology and software sectors, these setups, toolings, and operating with them become the majority of the time.
Building is now also being taken over by AI, so it’s somehow becoming part of the setup itself. The good thing is that AI is taking away the burden caused by technological systems.
The main creative spirit is being taken away by the mundane activities of our society. Creative activities give immense joy; the creation itself takes us deeper into ourselves and allows us to express ourselves fully. But to materialize them in commercial form, the process of creation is being heavily compromised and influenced by the systems we have developed.
If you can balance both—individual freedom and creative expression without compromising the needs of external demands—that would be great. But in all industries, authenticity and creative expression are treated as second-class activities, even though the majority of joy and satisfaction come from them.
The rules, procedures, and deadlines become more primary, at the cost of individuality.
We should think about well-being—what makes you feel good and what aligns with your nature—rather than trying to fit into the machine and become part of it. These industries are interconnected mega-machineries, and the individual is losing freedom by trying to fit into them.
It can be software tools, programming languages, YouTube algorithms, movie scripts, the stock market, economic trends, engineering, medicine, course curriculums, and so on.
The value of craftsmanship, creativity, and tools is heavily influenced by technological developments, but this mega machinery derives rules and procedures from its own values and goals that everybody should follow.
In our systems, we create something called group identity, which is manufactured by these systems. When we measure ourselves by this, it dehumanizes us and our individuality.
The cultural values of society are also being replaced by this technocratic machine. In Western societies, even culture is now being manufactured by corporations through endless advertisements and marketing.
Check this book on it:
Culture Jam: How to Reverse America’s Suicidal Consumer Binge – and Why We Must by Kalle Lasn.
How can we imagine a society where the true needs of humans flourish, individuality is encouraged, instead of these false needs created by the mega machine, and our worth is measured by how well we fit into this system?
How can it be solved? With true transparency and accountability.
The only way it can work is through decentralization and a working democracy. Without proper education, democracy can’t function. Successful companies are basically centralizing power while influencing public institutions and social consciousness. But in a real democracy, power should belong to the people instead of companies. We are giving away this power to big brands to decide for us.
With that access, they are removing competitors and real alternatives. The Left is also heavily influenced by the same system; with the lack of transparency, propaganda is heavily influenced by these corporations and governments. This machine removes alternatives from the mainstream and paints them as false archetypes. Without the right consciousness, citizens become ignorant and confused by the state of public education.
Real education comes from curiosity, self-direction, and doing things practically, instead of following curated curriculums without questioning them. Real education teaches what it means to be truly free and independent in our societies. With this consciousness, we build systems that work for us, instead of all of us working for them.
Consciousness is more important than utility. If we focus only on utility and forget about consciousness, everything becomes a mess again and again, no matter how many advancements we make.