Hi, I’m Elia, and I’m excited to welcome you to this space. I’m here because I believe in confronting the injustices we see around us. In this blog, we’re not claiming to have any answers—in fact, it’s very clear we might not have any at all. But we can’t just sit back and look the other way. Admittedly, there are moments when I catch myself doing just that—ignoring the uncomfortable realities—and it leaves me feeling uneasy. It’s likely to feel overwhelmed by the complexity of today’s world—the technologies we depend on, the social structures they shape, and the rapid changes in our economy, but avoiding these issues doesn’t help. And that’s what pushes me to keep questioning the world around me and to act, even if it’s in small ways.
A bit about myself: I graduated in Film and TV production, but funnily enough, I enjoy reading much more than watching movies. Maybe it’s because books allow me to dive deeper into ideas, they give me the time to reflect more and explore new perspectives in a way that feels more immersive. I’m also an aspiring documentarian, driven by my passion for storytelling, especially when it comes to human experiences, injustices, and social change. But what excites me the most is that I don’t want to be confined to just one thing. I like exploring new themes and ideas, and while this means I won’t become an expert in any one area, I’m happy with that.
I don’t aspire to be the kind of person who knows everything; instead, I aim to gather just enough knowledge across different fields to make informed decisions. Whether it’s about the political ideologies I align with, the choices I make when I shop online, or even the ethical considerations behind ordering food—these are the small yet impactful decisions we can all reflect on. In a world that often feels overwhelming, having the tools, even basic ones, can help us navigate through the noise and make choices that reflect our values.
Now, I’m not going to stand here and pretend we live in some utopia where we can always make the perfect choices. We, the people sharing our thoughts on this blog, all shop on Amazon, use smartphones built with questionable labor practices, and yes, we are plugged into the very systems we’re often critical of. But that’s not hypocrisy – it’s reality. We live in a society that is rapidly changing, shaped by new economic and social structures that some, like Yanis Varoufakis, have termed ‘technofeudalism’. He argues that we’ve moved beyond traditional capitalism into an era where tech giants don’t just control markets; they control the digital infrastructure of our lives (Varoufakis, 2024). It’s a modern-day form of feudalism, where we are all somewhat beholden to these platforms. Whether you agree or not, it’s worth thinking about the direction we’re headed in and what role we play.
When I reflect on my motivations I always think of when Noam Chomsky, a tireless advocate for justice, was once asked, after decades of activism, what keeps him going. His response stuck with me: instead of asking what keeps him going, he turned the question around – “What prevents you from doing something?” (Chomsky’s Philosophy, 2017). That question hits hard because, deep down, I believe most of us want to see a fairer world, one where our children and future generations can thrive. But somewhere along the way, we become paralyzed, either by the enormity of the problems or by the comfort of inaction.
So, what should we do? Honestly, I don’t think anyone has the perfect answer, and indeed, no one should claim to have such an answer. No one should preach or tell you what to do. We’re all on our own paths, figuring it out. What we can offer through this blog is a space for reflection—a reminder that things are happening in the world that deserve our attention. We aim to inform and raise awareness, and maybe even move to act. Whether that action is a small change in your daily life, a shift in perspective, or simply sharing these ideas with your friends, it all matters. Or, would you rather look away?
Bibliography:
Chomsky’s Philosophy. (2017, February 16) Noam Chomsky – What Keeps You Going? [Video] Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo2flmpflVo&ab_channel=Chomsky%27sPhilosophy
The Hindu. (2024). People in a digital world. https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-reviews/review-of-yanis-varoufakis-technofeudalism-what-killed-capitalism/article68019603.ece
Varoufakis, Y. (2024). Technofeudalism: what killed capitalism. Brooklyn, NY, Melville House.