Columna Digital Editorial "Slaves of capital: an illusion of freedom" (Google translated from Spanish)
The following article analyzes the relationship between freedom and capitalism, highlighting the ideas of philosopher Byung-Chul Han. Han states that although we believe we are free, in reality we are subject to the interests of the economic system.
According to the author, capitalism has transformed our perception of freedom. Instead of being a liberation from external constraints, freedom is now defined by the ability to choose between different consumption options. Han argues that this makes us the sexual organs of capital, as our decisions and actions are driven by the desires that the economic system has generated in us.
The philosopher argues that capitalism has even colonized our thoughts and emotions. Through advertising and productivity culture, the system promotes a mentality in which we strive to be successful, productive and happy, but at the same time we become slaves to our own aspirations.
Han points out that this dynamic creates a feeling of exhaustion and alienation, as we can never fully achieve our goals and are always dissatisfied. Furthermore, he points out that capitalism encourages constant competition, leading to individualization and the weakening of social ties.
In summary, the author argues that freedom under capitalism is illusory, since we are constantly influenced and limited by the economic system. Our choices and actions are largely determined by the interests of capital, and this leads to a feeling of exhaustion and alienation. However, Han does not offer personal or subjective conclusions on how to solve this problem.
It is important to note that this article is based on the ideas of philosopher Byung-Chul Han and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of this columnist or any specific media outlet.
Juan Pedro-Caranane and Ledy Armirola-Garces, "Teknokultura: Summary of Digital Culture and Social Movements" (Based on Herbert I. Schiller’s "The Mind Managers")
- Complete marketization: individuals are not only construed as producers and consumers, but also as products.
- Anti-sociality (atomie): the only relations that this myth conceives are those mediated by market transactions. The rhetoric on complete autonomy means individual isolation in practice.
- No State intervention: deregulation and privatization
- De-politicization (anomie): offering ineffective commercial self-help solutions to systemic problems (wishful thinking).
- Blaming the victims: since the social conditions are precluded, blame for suffering is transferred to individuals.
- Disconnecting people from the principle of reality: narcissistic, idealize, and fictional representations of concrete life.
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