Today was an interesting Saturday. I only opened up my phone in the late evening, but the internet was abuzz all day(per usual). In the morning, Marc Andreessen published a riveting essay It's Time to Build. Sometime midday someone launched Clubhouse, some sort of audio messaging app which I haven't looked into much. (I highly recommend reading the essay, will probably talk about it in today's writing mostly, plus its good good)
Marc Andreessen's essay was quite a read, inspiring to say the least. But it does make me think. Why don't we normally possess these kinds of optimistic, forward thinking ideas normally. It took a global pandemic for someone (of great influence at that) to write a thought provoking and call to action type essay. Where, as people do we lack this vision for building? More specifically, where did it stop, and why? Have we become too complacent? Blinded by comfort and security that we've forgot to innovate? Where are we drawing the line between productive building and bullshit?
Shows like Black Mirror showcase a dystopian standard of future living. I wouldn't go so far as to call it sensationalist, but it does incite a minimal fear in the future of technology. I personally love the show(although i havent finished-i only watch one episode every few months bc i just get into a bad state after watching it) but I think it does call to the question, where are the mainstream shows that can showcase a brighter, optimistic outlook on the future of technology.
Mainstream media should ALSO be promoting a "future we want to build for" rather than a "future we should be scared of building". I think there's a necessity for both narratives. But one is clearly lacking at the moment, and we desperately need it now.
Moving away from where did we go wrong, how do we start?
"The problem of inertia." I do like the concept of momentum, its important in a lot of things, and is pretty instrumental in how i get work done. Pre-pandemic, I felt as though we've stagnated our rate of innovation. "but look at all the new tech discoveries, new products, our stock market is doing amazing, unemployment is low" So, why do I say this? I think there's a lack of collective feeling in this regard. While there are millions of people dedication their lives to "build" theres another million not doing so much. This isn't a degradation of industries, this is a degradation of specific groups of people. I think everyone and their job is essential to a functional society. But there's a few small sectors where I feel smart and talented people should be exiting from, to work on things that have a greater positive impact on the greater good. And I think this is part of the feeling in the essay.
So this is my call to action if you're reading this. Chances are if you're reading this you're a friend of mine, close to my age, so you'll be on the job market soon. or whatever. doesn't really matter.
Do something you can look back on and be proud that you contributed to the greater good. Make your work important. Even if its only important to your family members. Create that better world you want to live in. Just do.
Lil wayne probably said it better than me tho so ⬇️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRllvI465Jk
✌🏼
-Humdaan
https://open.spotify.com/track/3lObMmgBPGvvySzxCtpYIU?si=kycfc0m8SNiRF3TFPDw5UQ
One of my favorite recently discovered artists, zeroh. His new album is supposed to come out this week and im beyond excited. His blend of weird bar structures, phenomenal sampling, and ultimately new sound is extremely entrancing.