People consistently praise the industrialization of society. They often talk about the conveniences that never existed before and how human interactions evolved. What people generally tend to forget is how much those “conveniences” have cost others? For example, computers are fantastic until one considers how the resources to create them are constantly extracted but not recycled. Yes, we can all buy things, but how many mental health issues have arisen due to not being able to quell our own self doubts? Sure, we have the thing we saw on television, but now that we have it, are we looking for something else? Not enough people have recognized that social thoughts were also industrialized by propaganda, not just Model Ts.
At this late-stage capitalism, philosophers and liberationists are driven mad by the reality that everyone has been educated into capitalism. While that is intentional, it is also intentional to keep everyone so busy that imagining a different world is impossible. Many people defensively demand that everyone find joy in working themselves into the ground and viciously despising those around them. During the lockdowns and disasters, people were so frantic to restore their understanding of normal that domestic violence and suicide rose. Those with enough privilege to be involved in a lockdown failed to see that it was an opportunity for self reflection. Those with enough power forced everyone back into participating in their delusions to regulate their emotions.
At this point in time, there is no value to the status quo. Most people are tired, and generally the ones who are not have something to lose. I would challenge people to explore what a world would look like if everyone slept when the sun set. How would we live if we had more quiet and less stimulation? What kinds of focus could we discover if we were not constantly asked to do more? Moreover, how much more could we cherish each other if we did not justify taking from others to appease ourselves?
Chasing A Dying Empire 