We stand at a pivotal moment in the history of humanity, and the initial step toward instigating social change begins with recognizing the underlying issue.
In the current digital era, the value is placed on the attention we allocate to content that promotes addiction, inactivity, toxic consumption, and the delusion of existing in an isolated sphere.
The internet was never intended for this purpose.
Far from uniting us, the contemporary state of connection is driving us further apart. The problem resides outside the technology itself and in the initial intentions of the stakeholders behind today's dominant platforms.
The issue is the business model: advertising is detrimental to society.
A few large corporations prosper because they attract clients who can afford to use their advertising tools. These tactics have the power to overthrow governments, erode democratic values, sow discord among families, manipulate the minds of a society that reads fewer books, harm teenagers' self-esteem, fuel extremist beliefs, and serve as an efficient medium for the spread of fake news, hate, and conspiracy theories.
Furthermore, art, creativity, and their distribution are under threat. The fundamental human act of creating is facing a crisis. We incessantly consume content dictated by algorithms designed by a select few engineers, compromising our cognitive freedom.
- When did the number of "likes" or "views" of a piece of music or video begin to matter to creators and consumers of culture?
- When did art become ranked?
- Weren’t we supposed to democratize access to content production, distribution, and monetization?
- How can we quantify art, the most abstract and subjective non-material element of nature?
It’s time to ask questions rather than supply answers, to encourage reflection and awaken a movement that rehumanizes our interaction with technology. We cannot remain passive observers as we watch the world we will leave to our children plummet toward dystopia.
Amid the noise, let's turn back to art. Creators should reclaim the internet.
Let's forge new, transparent, and positive micro-spaces for constructive conversations that enable us to perceive each other anew, unmarred by technological manipulation, and adopt a more genuine, authentic viewpoint.
Let's nurture places where we can grow together, treating each other with mutual respect, embracing a diversity of ideas, valuing the power of creativity, shared knowledge, proactive collective building, and equal opportunities.
Let's gather once again around the fire of wisdom to share stories and evolve together.
Let’s strive to create a community of productive creativity and economy, refusing to give in to the advertising model that tarnishes the incredible realm of global connection.
Action!
