Revolutions

 

I felt inspired. A conversation with my younger son, where we delved into the topic of changing reality, led me to reflect on the concept of revolution. Lately, I’ve been wondering: what is the exact moment when we can definitively say we are witnessing a revolution?

The definition states that a revolution is a rapid change. I’ve come to the conclusion that we are living in that very revolutionary moment. Radical shifts are affecting many aspects of our lives. One such change—one that I admire and marvel at frequently—is the pace of technological advancement we are witnessing.

I belong to a generation that saw the internet in its infancy, a time when technology wasn't universally accessible. Because of this, I truly notice the immense progress.

The advancement of Artificial Intelligence hasn't just opened doors; it has ripped them off their hinges, frame and all. The progress happening before our eyes is incredible. What once used to be an insurmountable barrier is now absolutely no trouble at all. Some time ago, for a project I was working on, I needed to conduct an interview in English. While the conversation itself wasn't an issue, translating it in real-time was a daunting task. Not having a translated script felt like a cosmic problem. And then, I stumbled upon a platform that simplifies such things. I conducted the interview, and the script was "produced" as we spoke. On top of that, the audio quality was enhanced. So, instead of spending 10 hours on the project, the whole thing took about 2 or 3.

Another example. Recently, one of my favorite Polish bands released an album—well, actually three albums in a matter of weeks. I knew AI was used in the production. To be honest, I wasn't initially comfortable with AI in music. I listened with a heavy heart, torn between my respect for the band and my aversion to AI sticking its loops into one of my most beloved art forms. This state lasted until I came across an interview with the band's leader. When asked why and to what extent he decided to use AI, he said that just as years ago people condemned the drum machine—which is now commonplace—today we reject the possibilities offered by modern technology. The vision always starts in the author's head; the work is its reflection. If we have access to tools that help us better visualize that vision, should we abandon them? The answer should be personal—much like our overall attitude toward technological development.

I also observe a revolution within society. We are reaching a strange situation where, conditioned by social media platforms to prefer bite-sized information and quick dopamine hits, we’ve become so addicted that forming complex thought structures causes immense psychological discomfort. We look for easy answers and quick fixes—simple recipes for life. Yet, life in its essence is intricate and complicated. It’s neither black nor white, but rather a vast palette of colors.

Various "prophets" profit from this "brevity" of our lives, offering simple formulas for today’s complex challenges. We desperately want to believe the world is simple because we want to feel we have an influence over it. We crave a sense of control. But a complicated world requires reflection and contemplation. And reflection requires time—a currency we are unwilling to pay. Those who prey on our naivety want to rule the world. I don’t know what scares me more: that they pretend the formula for the world is simple, or that they might actually believe it. I recommend watching the 2019 film Brexit, which reveals the mechanisms steering our behavior and decisions, and how ruthlessly these mechanisms can be used by decision-makers. There’s also a great documentary on a certain streaming platform titled The Social Dilemma. It’s well worth a watch.

The revolution in technology carries immense potential but also immense danger. A simple hammer in the hands of a locksmith is a tool, but in the hands of a psychopath, that same tool becomes a weapon. In the end, the human remains the ultimate verifier. At least for now. Perhaps the development of AI will bring a revolution even to this field, and one day, it won't be our will that serves as the benchmark.

Social revolutions have brought changes that established new orders for centuries. However, they were often associated with sacrifice and suffering. This was a cost societies paid—either by their own will or by a will imposed upon them. Will today's social revolution define a new category? A revolution whose cost we will pay without any will at all?