The Choicepoint

Abstract

We are at a critical choicepoint in human evolution. We squirm with discomfort, in faint recognition of this landmark, and then we look away, denial being so soothing. Population, urbanization, institutionalization, mechanization, globalization, and other modern pressures are bringing about a profound change in the life of the individual. Depersonalization and dehumanization are encroaching upon us. Even if she or he does not see it or believe it, the individual human is receding in the face of the technological collective. More than ever before, we are members of a large species which swarms the globe. We are soldiers, drones in the army of change. We are the new working-class heroes. We each do our part to help build the mirage of progress, to manifest what we believe is the human destiny. We participate, we cooperate, because this gives our lives meaning. We are good at taking orders, especially implicit ones which are difficult to question. As we become increasingly committed to our individual roles in the development of an increasingly global social order, we must be certain to remain highly conscious, to recognize the subtle trade-offs that we are making. Many of the desired outcomes of modernization are beneficial; however, we must ask ourselves if we are willing to pay their price.