Many experiments and new technologies aim to make life easier. The latest technologies no longer “recognize” foreign and domestic markets, borders, nationality, or even the risks people are willing to bet on for convenience. Philosophers and sociologists worldwide see both progress and threats in technological development.
The tech age turns people into consumers. They crave comfort. They believe their possessions are lacking and that the unattainable is worth pursuing. Meanwhile, spiritual development has long been classified as an uninteresting topic.
The “Unstoppable Man” Era
We live in a world where things change, so they often disappear before we get used to them. We’re so overwhelmed by info that we’ve lost our individuality. Rather than fostering creativity, many of us have become mere “replicators,” echoing the positive and negative things we encounter.
This era is called the age of the “unrelenting man.” It values people only for their usefulness, treating them like objects. We’re more informed than ever. Yet, our understanding is lacking. The divide between the two continues to widen. In a world of illusions, we let falsehoods drive our actions instead of truth. Despite the endless possibilities of technology, we’re often deceived by what it promises.
Information About the Product
An unprecedented situation has arisen. The supply of information now exceeds the demand, and we can only use a small part of the vast amount available. Man can no longer take in all that society produces: information goods.
Something Similar is Happening to Man Today
He is losing his ability to understand and think deeply. The need for narrow job skills is his last chance at becoming well-rounded. By the way, Marx called this type of person a “professional idiot.”
Impressions of a Productive Society
Instead of pondering and hesitating, carefreeness and enjoyment surfaced. We now live in a peculiar society driven by the constant creation of impressions. The diversity that shapes our lives stems from abstract thoughts rather than genuine experiences.
The aesthetics of politeness mask our inner isolation. The aesthetic of visual pleasure masks our outer isolation.
Everything that is More Polite and Visible is Considered Sane
A once warm, friendly human fellowship needs passion and sacrifice. It has been replaced. Now, we have a false, faceless tolerance for the sake of public order.
The soft charm of civilization’s web has tamed the folk. Its comforts inspire a love of easy living.
Mass Culture and the “Aesthetic” Revolution
We live in a postmodern age, called a “fluid,” “staged,” and “virtual” reality. It is now demystified. Culture is no longer a refuge for our social behavior. And even more so for controllable chaos, mass movements, and borders. The rise of foreign and marginal phenomena erodes culture’s role as a “border guard.”
For example, it is enough to remember the “revolutions” that ruined the West’s great cultural monuments. They replaced high art with mass culture.
Final Thoughts
Amidst the swift pace of technological progress, humanity finds itself in a paradoxical situation. At the same time, science and technology offer unprecedented convenience and possibilities. They threaten individuality, spiritual growth, and meaningful cultural engagement. The modern individual is losing the ability to think deeply. They need help with information and consumer culture. They are now more of a consumer than a creator. As society values materialism over human ideals, we lose self-knowledge. It’s crucial that we discover how to strike a harmony between technological advancements and the core of our human essence.
