In today’s fully automated factories, where not even lights are needed, it has become increasingly clear that the traditional slogan of “distribution according to labor” is not only impractical but entirely unrealistic. In reality, distribution has always been based on social hierarchy rather than effort or morality. This is a "low-tech world" where no one can truly rule alone. Why, then, do so many people comply? What gives power its force? The answer lies in a widespread yet flawed belief that an individual, once elevated by collective ideology or divine authority, can somehow represent the will of all. This logic is prevalent worldwide, in both the East and the West.
- The Individual and the Collective: From Illusion to Compliance
What power does a single individual truly have? They are neither a mythical being nor a superhuman entity. Yet, when imbued with the aura of collective will or national interest, this individual is seen as representing everyone. This belief is rooted in a deep-seated illusion that values the collective above the individual.
However, the collective is meaningless without individuals. To speak of the collective while ignoring the individual is either an empty abstraction or a deceptive tactic to mask selfish motives.
In traditional Chinese culture, the relationship between individuals and the collective is envisioned not as rigid "blocks" in a grid but as concentric circles, with the individual at the center and extending outward to include family, the nation, and the world. This perspective inherently links individualism and collectivism rather than opposing them. Modern society, however, promotes the façade of individualism, which often merely serves the needs of industrial standardization, treating individuals as interchangeable parts within the machinery of production.
- "Another Brick in the Wall": The Illusion of Modern Freedom
The lament "They are just another brick in the wall," popularized by Pink Floyd, is a sharp critique of industrial society. Modernity promises freedom — the ability to change jobs, for instance, whenever one feels dissatisfied. But where can one jump to? In reality, individuals remain standardized components of the industrial-commercial system, mere screws or bricks within a larger machine.
The Illusion of Freedom
In modern societies, the notion of freedom is relative. It liberates individuals from family, clan, and feudal constraints but rebinds them within the industrial-commercial framework. Genuine individuality is sacrificed for system efficiency. Even expressions of "freedom," like donning a Halloween costume or casual wear, are trivial compared to true freedom of thought or self-expression.
The Pseudo-Equality of Standardization
Modern society’s equality is not about genuine respect for individuals but about facilitating labor standardization. The promotion of individuality and personal liberation is relative to traditional family structures but meaningless when viewed within the context of the modern system that prioritizes efficiency above all else.
Misguided Brotherhood
Brotherhood in the modern industrial context often serves as a justification for expansion and conquest. Historical examples, such as the nationalism-driven conflicts of World War I and World War II, show how the ideal of brotherhood can devolve into exclusionary, divisive ideologies.
- The Trap of Self-Awareness: From the Individual to the External World
True independence is not granted by societal systems but arises from inner confidence and self-sufficiency. Real equality exists innately, just as every individual owning a television does not make one person superior for watching a soap opera or inferior for watching an animated film. Genuine self-respect comes from within, not from externally imposed systems or equal distribution.
Modern society’s flaw lies in its external orientation. People rush to change the external world, colonize new frontiers, and even explore space without first resolving their inner issues. This is a manifestation of madness, inevitably leading to the trap of standardization. While modern industrial society extols large-scale collaboration, this often comes at the expense of individual creativity and diversity, sacrificing independence for conformity.
- The Duality of Modernization
The roots of modernization, as seen in nations like the Netherlands, Britain, and the United States, stem from Calvinism’s work ethic: the pursuit of wealth as a sign of being one of God’s elect. Meanwhile, France’s values of "liberty, equality, fraternity," forged in its own cultural revolution, offered an alternative ideological foundation for industrial society.
These values, seemingly unassailable, are not without flaws. They primarily serve the needs of commercial civilization rather than genuine human well-being.
The Advantage: Modernization enables markets to fine-tune collaboration efficiency.
The Disadvantage: The relentless pursuit of expansion underpins modern systems, promoting over-standardization and quasi-military organization. This not only harms the environment but also forces humans to adapt to an increasingly regimented society, stifling critical thinking in the process.
- A New Path for Chinese Civilization?
In industrial societies, education aims to produce standardized "screws" for the machinery of production. However, AI robots can perform these roles with greater speed and accuracy, making declining birth rates inevitable. If China’s modernization continues to embrace excessive standardization, it risks falling into the same trap.
The alternative lies in genuinely "people-centric" development. Recognizing the value of each individual’s unique genetic and personal traits is essential for achieving highly specialized collaboration. By embracing diversity rather than suppressing it, Chinese civilization could transcend the homogenizing trends of modern industrial society and forge a new path forward.
One can only hope that the future remains open to these possibilities.
Conclusion: From Inner Vision to External Perspective
Whether private, public, or state-owned, all ownership systems are merely different technical expressions of the same fundamental concept. In today’s financialized world, even private wealth is largely abstracted through institutions like banks and corporations.
What truly matters is not the form of ownership but the cultural outlook that drives a society.
Traditional Chinese culture emphasizes "self-sufficiency" and inner calm. In contrast, many foreign cultures — including Marxism, capitalism, and various religious ideologies — are preoccupied with external conquest and resource exploitation. This external focus reflects a deeper existential crisis: the inability to understand oneself leads to a desperate need to conquer the outside world.
In contrast, Chinese thought, as exemplified by figures like Wang Yangming, views everything as "within the mind." This "mind" is not the brain or thought but a stage on which life unfolds. Life, then, is not a battle for resources but a play to be appreciated.
To reclaim the essence of Chinese culture, one must move away from utilitarian concerns and rediscover the innate value of existence itself. By doing so, China might find a path that respects individual uniqueness while fostering collaborative innovation, offering a new vision for a post-modern world.
