Crude Freedom and the Art of Harmonization

Growing up, life was a constant state of flux. The rush of cultural trends and new technologies was rapid, exciting, and inherently hopeful. It felt as though everything was simply destined to get better. The 2008 financial crisis left no mark on my life; sheltered in a rapidly developing China, that era didn’t feel like a global collapse—it felt like an ascent.

Now, the world changes even faster, though not all change is equal. There are the “good” changes: the ones that empowered me to program my own website and build almost anything I can imagine on my computer. We are in an era where the individual is supercharged by computing power. Our “brain power” has been extended beyond simple calculation into the realms of complex decision-making and management.

The Complexity of Change

Then, there are the “bad” changes. I look at the United States and wonder what happened. I don’t believe the U.S. is in a terminal decline—it still attracts the world’s brightest and most creative minds—but its leadership is a mess. It no longer represents the public interest. But then, who is “the public”? In reality, it is a collection of competing interest groups where those at the bottom suffer in silence.

Perhaps this is the result of democracy in its purest, most “crude” form. If nationalism is viewed as a global evil, what is left for people to fight for? If we are all isolated individuals who owe nothing to one another, where does social responsibility live? Freedom in its crudest form is just chaos. Nothing should be left crude; that is why we build refineries for our natural resources.

The Political Theater

At the same time, the political theater has become a stage where politicians scramble to maximize benefits for the specific interest groups they represent. On the international stage, this manifests as GDP growth—which is acceptable. But on the national stage, this theater is a battle over the division of existing production value: the right to decide how the profit is split.

The winning group takes the lion’s share, ensuring the losers don’t lose quite enough to start a civil war, and the public doesn’t lose quite enough to revolt or strike.

It seems to me that cultural adhesion is the prerequisite for true equality. Peace fosters the creativity that pushes humanity forward.

Seeking Harmonization

I grew up in a culture defined by high adhesion, then adopted a culture of individualism that prioritizes personal influence. Now, I am trying to learn the way of “harmonization”—a return to adhesion. It is a flexible path; I have no political agenda. After all, which interest group do I even belong to?

To hold fierce opinions without the weight of action is the hallmark of the student. It is neither true idealism nor advocacy; it is just a form of noise.