Globalism vs. Beauty: The Battle for Our Souls
How disconnecting ourselves from beauty has led to dire consequences; Why we must reevalutate our utilitarian globalist perspective; episode 3 is live 'Ayahuasca after Christianity' with Scott B.
Beauty is universal and manifests itself in various forms—nature, architecture, art, mathematics, music, and design.
Sometimes subtle, its inherent objective value is unmistakable. It encompasses harmony, symmetry, and proportion.
Current state
Modern society has severed its connection with beauty resulting in undeniable repercussions on our mental health, well-being and sense of meaning.
As skyscrapers reach unprecedented heights, basic knowledge about sustenance reaches all-time lows, with culinary skills being replaced by meal deliveries.
Cities grow larger and brighter each year but dwellers become lonelier and colder.
We continue to expand access to comfort but have soaring levels of depression. We squander leisure hours on trivial indulgences.
Minimalist aesthetic
The guiding principle of “form follows function” (which I was a follower of for many years) has led to a myopic preference for function over aesthetics. Resulting in minimalistic designs influenced by the strong premium placed on efficiency and function.
This efficiency-centric approach has resulted in mass production and automation, the erosion of artistic details in various domains and ushered in an era of homogenization and globalism.
Effects of globalism
Globalism, born from our utilitarian mindset, has cultivated uniformity in art (pure self-expression), architecture (concrete buildings covered in glass), music (lyrics encompassing either sex, drugs or alcohol), and fashion (fast fashion).
Urban and suburban landscapes now mirror each other. Characterized by stark concrete expanses or cookie-cutter homes.
Metropolises are concrete jungles inhabited by souls numbed by big pharma. Our reliance on big pharma corporations grows deeper with each passing year.
This utilitarian globalist standardization has exacted a heavy, HEAVY toll on the collective conscious mental health. The homogenization has led to a society devoid of awe and grandeur, contributing to a sense of detachment and dehumanization.
Instilling soul
Despite the ever-creeping globalism, our inclination towards beauty remains albeit sometimes weak or exhausted.
Beauty transcends functionality, encompassing the essence of the craftsman, the builder, or the artist who breathes life into their works. There is meaning imbued in the creation.
This is why we seek solace in old cathedrals, mosques, temples, nature, and works of art like the Sistine Ceiling—even if we’re not drawn to religious affiliations.
The profound impact of encountering beauty cannot be replicated by AI-generated art, automation, or mass production.
Quest for beauty
Amidst the rapid currents of utilitarian globalism, beauty is a beacon of hope.
Beauty requires a departure from the utilitarian mindset that fuels globalism. By embracing beauty, we rekindle craftsmanship, intention, and soulful creation.
And as we infuse life into every stroke, note, stitch, or brick, we pave the way for a renaissance of appreciation, understanding, and fulfillment in our disconnected world.
Through it all, we rejuvenate our collective conscious mental health and restore the harmony beauty brings.
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