When we bombard girls with fashion news, influencers with bedroom-sized wardrobes, and an unlimited fast fashion supply on flashy discounts just fingertips away, is it fair to put all the responsibility on their ‘free will’ to buy sustainable clothing?
When we pump our foods full of additives that open our dopamine gates, make it the cheapest option available, and ready for delivery at your doorstep in 60 minutes time, is it fair to put all the responsibility on our ‘free will’ to eat healthier?
When commercials and reality shows make it seem as if sunny beaches and five-star hotels are the pinnacle of life, and when you can fly to Barcelona for less than taking a train a few hours away, is it fair to put all the responsibility on our ‘free will’ to stop flying?
When the smartest people in the world are channelling all their knowledge to develop algorithms that grab as much of our attention as possible, when billions are invested to make people addicted to their screens, exploiting psychological weaknesses that are hard-wired into our biological nature, and not offering any type of regulatory protection from it, making it accessible en masse, is it fair to put all the responsibility on our ‘free will’ to regain our focus and solve the most complex problems of today?
When addictive media and the commercials in-between tell us that all we need is ‘more’ to be happy, and when these commercials further dominate the streets, newspapers, subway radio and now even on top of our mail, is it fair to put all the responsibility on our ‘free will’ to stop consuming?
I myself do not believe in free will, but even if it exists, we put a damn lot of faith on it to save the planet and our well-being.
