First there was nothing

Not to sound to biblical but my analysis of modern philosophy leads me to understand that people all more stressed less happy dispit there being more opportunities better environments nd overall humanity is in the most advanced state and has access to vast resources and tools to create good.

So why then are people sad, why are families broken apart, how is the the ever grown demand for more effecting our lives and our futures. Is there any solution to this. is there a way forrward.

I dont know. This is a speculative work based on my brief stint in this world. Thats said although I know approximately nothing it is more then 0.

I have seen 4 contents 14 countries completed a modern 4-year degree (CMPT/ PHIL) and im working on starting a company that I hope has a profound impact on the world Previously I've worked as a prep cook, dishwasher, programmer, field installation technician, friend, brother, son. I have climbed mountains kayaked rivers; with my hands I have swum in 3 oceans, scaled cliffs, built tables, apps and more.
Most importantly I've fallen in love.

All this is just to say while im young, dumb, wild, and free I have been around a block or two and listened to many people. Sometimes I think im alone as I see this world passing by. But I know many of you probably feel the pressures of the last 5 years.

I wish to express som of my thoughts on the matter such that you can help me find a solution if any.

Control and the world.

7 may 2024 by: syonfox

Why do I have a feeling that every time I look online the information is biased or false.

Because it is. But this is not the origin of control. It starts with evolution I suppose.

Mechanisms of control have grown with humanity as our ancestors fought for scares fruit in the trees, in abundance there is competition and when individuals are unable to compete the must form groups. These groups have a shared interest in controlling their territory. Further individuals within the groups have an interest in controlling their peers to get the best fruit.

Hmm so scarcity->compatition->groups->control this turned into the domains searches that are still ingraned in the animal kingtom today from packs of wolves to birds to monkeys.

As these groups of people advance and cooperation furashed we started to eliminate scarcity at least within our groups. we harnesed fire and had more calories and more time to think.

This became the turning point on which humanity conquered the world.

Fast forwarding a bit to kingdoms and the birth of civilization, characterised by the division of labor and ever booming complexity still sprawling to this day with no sign new mechanisms of control emerged.

Mechanisms of control have evolved with humanity as our ancestors fought for scarce fruit in the trees. In abundance, there is individual competition, and when individuals are unable to compete, they must form groups. These groups have a shared interest in controlling their territory. Furthermore, individuals within the groups have an interest in controlling their peers to access the best fruit.

Thus, scarcity -> competition -> groups -> control evolved into the dominance hierarchies that are still ingrained in the animal kingdom today, from packs of wolves to birds to monkeys.

As these groups of people advanced and cooperation flourished, we started to eliminate scarcity at least within our groups. We harnessed fire, had more calories, and more time to think.

This became the turning point at which humanity conquered the world.

Fast-forwarding a bit to kingdoms and the birth of civilization, characterized by the division of labor and an ever-booming complexity that still sprawls to this day, new mechanisms of control emerged.

As societies evolved beyond the simple use of fire and the basic division of labor seen in early human groups, the mechanisms of control that emerged became more sophisticated and varied, reflecting the increasing complexity of civilizations. Here’s a refined exploration of these mechanisms after the initial establishment of dominance hierarchies:

Legal Systems: As civilizations grew, the need for formal rules and regulations became apparent. Legal systems were developed to enforce laws that dictated acceptable behavior and outlined penalties for violations. These systems helped maintain order and resolve conflicts in increasingly complex societies.

Bureaucracy: To manage the affairs of state and to ensure the implementation of laws and policies, bureaucracies were established. These structured organizations allowed for efficient administration of tasks and facilitated the management of resources, which were essential in larger societies.

Monetary Systems: The introduction of currency provided a standardized medium of exchange, which was crucial for trade and economic growth. It also allowed for the accumulation and measurement of wealth, which could be taxed by rulers to support state functions.

Religious Institutions: Religion played a central role in many early civilizations. Religious institutions not only provided moral guidance but also wielded significant control over people’s lives, often sanctioned by divine authority. These institutions could unify vast populations and legitimize the rule of leaders.

Education Systems: The establishment of formal education systems helped to perpetuate the existing social order by imparting necessary skills and knowledge. Education systems could also reinforce the prevailing values and norms of the society, preparing individuals to participate in its economic and political systems.

Military Organizations: As territories expanded and conflicts over resources arose, organized military forces became crucial. These forces not only defended against external threats but also solidified internal control and deterred potential uprisings.

Propaganda and Information Control: With the development of writing and later printing, control over information became a powerful tool. Propaganda was used by leaders to shape public opinion, justify their rule, and unite people under common causes or against common enemies.

Architectural Power: The construction of grand architectural projects, such as palaces, temples, and monuments, served not just practical or religious functions but also as demonstrations of the power and glory of the rulers, reinforcing their authority and control over the populace.

Each of these mechanisms supported the stability and growth of civilizations, but they also reinforced existing power structures and hierarchies, shaping the socio-political dynamics in significant ways.

list of the mechanisms of control that emerged in civilizations

1. Legal Systems

   • Definition: Formal institutions that enforce societal rules and regulations.
   • Example: Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest and most complete written legal codes, proclaimed by the Babylonian king Hammurabi.
   • Quote: "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." - Code of Hammurabi

2. Bureaucracy

   • Definition: Organized administrative systems that manage the functions of a state or organization.
   • Example: The Chinese imperial bureaucracy, which included a structured civil service system governed by the imperial examination.
   • Quote: "The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home." - Confucius

3. Monetary Systems

   • Definition: Standardized mediums of exchange used to facilitate trade and economic activities.
   • Example: The introduction of coinage in Lydia (now part of Turkey) around 600 BCE.
   • Quote: "Money is a guarantee that we may have what we want in the future." - Aristotle

4. Religious Institutions

   • Definition: Organizations centered around worship and spiritual governance, often intertwined with state power.
   • Example: The Catholic Church in medieval Europe, which wielded significant religious and political influence.
   • Quote: "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." - Jesus (Bible, Mark 12:17)

5. Education Systems

   • Definition: Formal structures for the transmission of knowledge, skills, and cultural values.
   • Example: The University of Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859 CE in Morocco, is one of the oldest functioning universities.
   • Quote: "The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet." - Aristotle

6. Military Organizations

   • Definition: Armed forces organized to defend against external threats and maintain internal order.
   • Example: The Roman legions, which were crucial for both the expansion and the protection of the Roman Empire.
   • Quote: "The sinews of war are infinite money." - Cicero

7. Propaganda and Information Control

   • Definition: The use of media to spread information or misinformation to influence public opinion.
   • Example: The use of state-controlled newspapers in the Soviet Union to disseminate the government's views.
   • Quote: "The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history." - George Orwell

8. Architectural Power

   • Definition: The use of monumental architecture to demonstrate power and instill awe or obedience among the populace.
   • Example: The construction of the Pyramids at Giza as a testament to the pharaohs' divine rule over Egypt.
   • Quote: "Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light." - Le Corbusier

These examples and quotes highlight how these control mechanisms have shaped societies throughout history.

Is it a necessary evil, is it evil?

I would preface this with the idea that there is no black and white, only shades of gray in the cosmic soup of time. Does this do evil things? Yes. Does it do good things? Yes. Like the yin and yang, control in society is a dance of good and bad unlike any we have seen before. It has allowed an explosion of art and agriculture, feeding and inspiring billions, even trillions, while simultaneously creating the most cruel things of which I cannot even fathom; wars, genocides, torment, and greed.

And so, in a world where we are experiencing unprecedented abuse of these systems which we built to lift us from the dirt, we are seeing a shift in power and more abuse of these mechanisms being used to keep people down.

This may be causing unappreciated social harm as it erodes trust in the very system designed to liberate people from scarcity. We no longer need the population of the world to feed the world, yet people are hungry. We no longer need the skills of the many but the skills of the few. People feel stupid and useless and like they have nothing to offer. They turn inwards or outwards to religion or vice and lay flat, watching the world go by and wonder, "Is this life? Is this really what is meant to be?"

We have traded one form of suffering in scarcity for another, but the difference is that now the scarcity can be controlled and manipulated by people. This is not necessarily evil because we could use this for just causes such as empowering, feeding, and inspiring people.

Finding Balance

In a world where control can often stray,

Here’s a minimal guide to light the way:

Transparency’s the first beam to shine,

Open doors to decisions, line by line.

Accountability must hold fast,

Justice strong, with a shadow vast.

Let voices rise, participation soar,

In democracy’s heart, let engagement roar.

Educate all in rights they hold,

In tales of duty, brave and bold.

Keep courts clear from clutching hands,

Where justice sits, independence stands.

Guard the press, let truth freely flow,

In informed minds, wise actions grow.

Seek oversight from shores afar,

International eyes raise the bar.

Through these verses, may societies find,

A path to preserve the good of mankind.

Balancing the mechanisms of control in a society to ensure fairness, efficiency, and the preservation of individual freedoms while maintaining social order is a complex task. It involves thoughtful design and continual adjustment of systems and policies. Here are some strategies to consider for each of the mechanisms of control I described earlier:

1. Legal Systems

   • Promote Transparency and Fairness: Legal processes should be transparent and accessible to all citizens. Laws must be applied equally to everyone, regardless of their status or wealth.
   • Public Participation: Encourage public participation in the legislative process, allowing for a diversity of voices and opinions to shape the law.

2. Bureaucracy

   • Reduce Red Tape: Simplify procedures and reduce bureaucratic complexities to make governmental services more accessible and efficient.
   • Accountability and Anti-corruption Measures: Implement strong mechanisms to prevent corruption, including regular audits and the establishment of independent watchdog agencies.

3. Monetary Systems

   • Regulate Financial Institutions: Ensure that financial institutions operate transparently and are held accountable for their actions, particularly those that could lead to economic instability.
   • Economic Policies for All: Develop economic policies that aim to reduce inequality and provide a safety net for the less fortunate.

4. Religious Institutions

   • Separation of Church and State: Maintain a clear separation to ensure that government policies remain neutral and inclusive of all beliefs.
   • Freedom of Religion: Support and uphold the freedom of religion and belief as fundamental rights, allowing individuals to worship freely or not at all.

5. Education Systems

   • Equal Access to Education: Ensure that all citizens have access to quality education, regardless of their background or financial status.
   • Critical Thinking: Encourage education systems to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills, rather than rote memorization.

6. Military Organizations

   • Civil Oversight: Establish robust civilian oversight of military and defense activities to prevent abuses and ensure that the military serves the public interest.
   • Transparency in Defense Activities: Implement transparent processes for defense spending and military actions to maintain public trust and accountability.

7. Propaganda and Information Control

   • Media Freedom: Promote a free press and protect journalists to ensure that multiple perspectives are available in the public discourse.
   • Media Literacy: Educate citizens on media literacy to help them critically evaluate information sources and resist manipulation.

8. Architectural Power

   • Public Spaces: Design public spaces that are accessible to all and reflect the community's needs and values, rather than imposing intimidating or exclusionary structures.
   • Community Input: Involve community members in planning and development projects to ensure that the built environment serves the needs of its inhabitants effectively.

Balancing these mechanisms requires ongoing vigilance and active participation from all sectors of society, including government, private sector, and the general populace. Democratically engaged citizens, effective institutions, and laws that prioritize the public good are fundamental to achieving a balanced and just society.

https://www.ohchr.org/en/what-are-human-rights/international-bill-human-rights

Next Steps

Discover who you are and don't let anybody tell you what you can and cannot do.

Keep an open mind and be vigilant for control in your life. Acknowledge and release it when you see this happening.

Keep your mind open to others' ideas but learn to filter curiosity from doctrine.

Attempt to view things from different perspectives. Sometimes I like to imagine why I'm feeling this way, what the other person is feeling. Finally, take an out-of-body or reality view of the whole situation from both sides. If it helps, ask 'What does God think?' or if Buddhist, 'How is it actually in reality?' or scientifically, 'What is the unbiased truth?'

"Be sure your feet are in the right place and then stand firm" ~ linkon When a man witnesses injustice, it becomes not only a right to oppose it but a moral obligation to do so. As Lincoln advises, 'Be sure your feet are in the right place, then stand firm.' This means understanding where you stand morally and ethically, and then holding steadfast in your convictions, actively working against injustice wherever it appears.

Forge your own way, let none confine your stride.
Keep a minds eye open wide, to ideas, to change,
Yet guard 'gainst the snares of control’s subtle range.

Learn from each voice, sift fact from preached lore.
See through many eyes, explore motives, explore more.
In reflection, ask—"What's just? What's true?"
Seek diverse vantages: God's, Science's, and anew.

And as Lincoln guides, firmly plant your feet.
In the soil of right, let your stand be complete.
When injustice unfolds, rise strong, oppose—
For in courage, truth’s blossom unfurls and grows.

• You can do anything;
• RAR - Research Analise Repeat
• Live; Laugh; Love!
• The best decisions are made by a group of confident open people.

Dedicated to my new leaf as we sit beneath a mango tree let us find the truth and grow a beautiful community of like minds. your mango always loves you and i hope we flow throu time together at peace with all.,🍃🥭