We are the builders and we are the dreamers of dreams
The Societal Stack and the Techno-Artisan Archetype
Sometimes, I find myself diving deep into the philosophy behind everything, so I'd like to clear up a few ideas that I think are crucial for us to grasp. A clear shift is occurring in late-stage capitalist America, marked by the divergence of old and new values, and the contrast between shareholder interests and societal impact. We're at the cusp of redefining what work means in our lives, and it begins with reexamining our societal foundations- what I like to call the “societal stack”- delving into history and challenging the assumptions they were built on.
The Evolution of the Societal Stack
The pre-Industrial Age economy relied on artisan expertise, artisans that created valuable products through precise and quality-driven processes. The lack of advanced technology meant these goods were pricey and production couldn't be scaled up. Imagine the ceramics sector before the advent of industrial ovens, with a complete, end-to-end manual supply chain. This was a world of expert craftsmen working in harmony, yet bound by the era's technological limitations.
Fast forward 200 years, and we find ourselves in an era where production cycles at breakneck speed, no longer a straight line but a rapid, iterative loop. It's an age where teams of experts, each with unique skills, unite to meet the market's fast-paced demands. These individuals, the pioneering craftsmen of our time, are redefining the essence of craftsmanship in the context of a shifting economic paradigm. Enter the techno-artisan.
The techno-artisan marries traditional craftsmanship's attention to quality with modern technology, like AI and digital tools that harness remote collaboration, alongside a philosophy of nomadism. This nomadism isn't just about physical movement; it's a principle that supports fluidity in career paths and project involvement, allowing for the constant evolution of one's skills across various domains.
A bottom-up free market approach
Utilizing advanced tools and shared experiences, nomadic techno-artisans work together on projects that resonate with their interests and that ultimately deliver consumer value. This mindset pivots away from the outdated corporate structuralism of the last 70 years, advocating for a fluid, value-centric capitalist approach. It emphasizes serving niche communities with impactful, consumable, and revenue-positive products and services, diverging from the old goal of enhancing shareholder value that has led to our era of rapid but hollow economic expansion.
Drawing from the depths of post-modernist thought, the insights of lesser-known French philosophers, and the critiques of neo-Marxists, I see a significant shift in our interaction with the traditional corporate framework that dominated our societal stack during the 20th century entering the 21st. Amidst the rapid changes in our economy, from layoffs propelled by a focus on shareholder value to societal impact, and the explosion of innovation through scalable tools, it's becoming clear we're moving into a market dynamic that desires to shift priority away from corporate expansion to focus on the tangible impact of individuals within communities.
The socio-economic pact binding businesses and individual talent is quickly becoming obsolete, paving the way for a novel mode of work grounded in nomadism and the principles of techno-artisanship. Individuals, having played a pivotal role in building today's corporate successes, demand a greater influence over the economy's trajectory. This ushers in "bottom-up" capitalism, where talent directly responds to community needs, challenging the outdated notion that innovation springs from the top-down hierarchy. The reality is, the so-called genius of corporate leadership is increasingly disconnected, as evidenced by their struggles in the current economic downturn.
Navigating towards this future
As we navigate forward, I'll be promoting bottom-up strategies for navigating these changes in the societal stack. I believe there's a chance to harness this upheaval for the good of those on the ground—the builders and workers shaping company achievements daily. Through conversation and shared visions with you, my immediate circle, we have the power to forge this new path together. This transformation will be driven by our joint efforts, rather than corporate-engineered solutions. Embracing a bottom-up perspective is our next step in empowering individuals against the backdrop of corporate mandates for office returns, increased micromanagement, and strict adherence to their overarching goals.
Talent is the bedrock of value creation, and we possess the power to negotiate superior conditions or even design more beneficial engagement methods with companies. We, as techno-artisans, can collaboratively innovate, focusing on products and services that emphasize sustainable growth, equitable access, and fair resource distribution. This is where we start our negotiations as we transition. But, if negotiation fails, we need to be prepared to pivot to building independently as professional tribes between the corporate structures that are currently folding in on themselves.
Our current productivity peak as a species underscores the urgency to enable a collaborative, innovative effort within this new “gig economy” of individual contributors providing direct value to communities. It begins with direct access to education, tools (digital and analog), and infrastructure, catalyzing a democratized and empowered workforce. The shift must emphasize communal ethics and equitable access to mark the dawn of an era valuing the right to live, work, and innovate with the legacy tools of past generations.
The new emergent paradigm advocates for a bottom-up method of driving innovation, production, and work, embodying the techno-artisan spirit. We have the ability to shape it as a departure away from the exploitative hustle culture of the 2010s, towards creating impactful and meaningful contributions that resonate on a personal level to our communities.
This transition signifies a shift beyond work culture, reclaiming the narrative from corporate interests to prioritize genuinely beneficial societal value. It’s hard to see how corporate interests, inherent in individual leaders that currently control the power dynamic, will give into this change.
So then- it is also war cry to contribute towards building a sustainable, equitable, and innovative future. A war cry that brings new futures, faster to prioritize the well-being and creativity of the community.