Society has gone too far left brain
disclaimer: I know the "left brain vs. right brain" idea has been debunked; it is not scientifically accurate to say that people tend to favor one hemisphere of the brain over the other, and that the left corresponds with logical thinking while the right is related to creativity. I am using left and right brain as an analogy for two archetypes of people which are fairly common, in my experience. Another division I would use interchangeably is "people who like math vs. people who say they are 'not a math person.'"
An excess of information has penetrated nearly every aspect of daily life. Many people in developed parts of the world have become near-cyborgs due to smartphones, televisions, gaming consoles, advanced vehicles, IoT devices, etc. The development of all these devices, as well as the skills required to use them effectively, has led to an emphasis in STEM thinking. Not only in offices and classrooms, but it has permeated the culture. For example:
- the need for infinite economic growth (maximize shareholder value)
- metrics and analytics on everything (sleep score, web/social viewership)
- online dating (which partners are algorithmically compatible with me?)
- diet and exercise regimens (calorie tracking, supercompensation)
- generative AI (music, images/videos, summaries)
The list goes on. I'll leave it as an exercise for the reader to think of more.
Some would argue this rise in left brain activity is a welcome change, or even that society should adopt as much of an engineering mindset as possible. I, on the other hand, believe in a balance between hard sciences and humanities, and in the collective heartbeat of mankind I currently feel a strong yearning for art (especially when there is a commonly held belief that machines can now outperform artists at their own craft, while often making imitations of their work without attribution.) Certainly, there is value in technological advancement, and many of the examples I listed above have beneficial aspects. But, I feel the world has become a bit cold and metallic.
I don't always want to concern myself with what is the most efficient course of action. I don't only want to consume whatever is fed to me by an algorithm. I don't want to "min-max" my existence.
I want to make some emotional decisions. I want to be rash and brash at times. I want to live with free will rather than have my behaviors predetermined by whatever logic dictates.
I think creatives are needed now more than ever. People who live passionately, emotionally, and express their experiences in unique ways. Please, create something. Don't do what the computer advises. Take the scenic route. Do something that feels good, feels natural. Break free from the intellectual hellscape.