Since the invention of writing approximately 6,000 years ago, humanity has provided itself more than enough evidence to conclude that we are a highly conflicted species. Idealistically, we yearn for love, peace, and freedom, yet, judging by our actions, we seem to be far more aligned with conquest, violence, and oppression. Many of us live in fear and suspicion of one another, and war has been widely accepted as a necessary evil to resolve large-scale conflict.
Similarly, while numerous governmental systems throughout history have been built upon the promise of prosperity and protection for its subjects, most have involved a privileged minority presiding over the affairs of the majority. It does not matter the country or the name used to describe its politics – kingdom, dictatorship, democracy or republic – the role of the lower class has been to serve as either the employee/slave, taxpayer, consumer, or soldier to the ruling elite.
While not perfect, it could be argued that the imbalance between our idealism and our violent action toward one another has at least been manageable. After all, we have found a way to grow and sustain a global population of over 8 billion people, and have made incredible strides in our technological capabilities. Yet there can be no denying that we have also placed ourselves into a very precarious position. The powerful few who control world affairs now have access to exponentially invasive technology, and the processes of manufacturing, distribution, finance, healthcare and entertainment require ever less human involvement. In essence, we have arrived at a place that had previously only existed in the realm of science fiction.
By combining our old, fear-based suspicions of one another with the newest technological advancements, we have reached a pivotal crossroads, a juncture that will determine whether our species continues to evolve organically, or will we relinquish our final freedoms to those in control of a digitized new world? As corporations race unimpeded into the realms of Artificial Intelligence, digital monetization, location tracking and behavior modification, it would seem that we have already passed the point of no return, that any act of resistance against these forces of oppression and manipulation would be futile.
But resistance has never been futile. Throughout the ages, we have been shown that resistance, especially in its non-violent expression, is what can truly change the course of history. Take, for instance, India’s passive resistance to nearly a century of rule under the British Empire. Led by Gandhi in the 1930s, the collective strategy of non-participation in the governance of the occupying British was what secured India’s freedom in 1947.
This is quite possibly the most critical moment in the course of human events. We do still have a choice, but the window for making the decision to live free as sovereign individuals in an increasingly invasive world is closing at an exponential rate. We hope you’ll find your place in creating a peaceful new reality for our species that our controllers never saw coming, a hopeful endeavor we call “Timeline X.”
TIMELINE X 