In a society in which nearly everybody is dominated by somebody else’s mind or by a disembodied mind, it becomes increasingly difficult to learn the truth about the activities of governments and corporations, about the quality or value of products, or about the health of one’s own place and economy.
In such a society, also, our private economies will depend less and less upon the private ownership of real, usable property, and more and more upon property that is institutional and abstract, beyond individual control, such as money, insurance policies, certificates of deposit, stocks, and shares. And as our private economies become more abstract, the mutual, free helps and pleasures of family and community life will be supplanted by a kind of displaced or placeless citizenship and by commerce with impersonal and self-interested suppliers…
Thus, although we are not slaves in name, and cannot be carried to market and sold as somebody else’s legal chattels, we are free only within narrow limits. For all our talk about liberation and personal autonomy, there are few choices that we are free to make. What would be the point, for example, if a majority of our people decided to be self-employed?
The great enemy of freedom is the alignment of political power with wealth. This alignment destroys the commonwealth – that is, the natural wealth of localities and the local economies of household, neighborhood, and community – and so destroys democracy, of which the commonwealth is the foundation and practical means.
“The Salesforce founder declared he ‘fully supported’ President Trump and thought National Guard troops should patrol San Francisco streets. He gushed about sitting across from Trump at a Windsor Castle state dinner, telling the president ‘how grateful I am for everything he’s doing.’ He praised Elon Musk’s government efficiency efforts and said he hadn’t closely followed news about immigration raids or Trump’s attacks on the media.”
In a society in which nearly everybody is dominated by somebody else’s mind or by a disembodied mind, it becomes increasingly difficult to learn the truth about the activities of governments and corporations, about the quality or value of products, or about the health of one’s own place and economy.
In such a society, also, our private economies will depend less and less upon the private ownership of real, usable property, and more and more upon property that is institutional and abstract, beyond individual control, such as money, insurance policies, certificates of deposit, stocks, and shares. And as our private economies become more abstract, the mutual, free helps and pleasures of family and community life will be supplanted by a kind of displaced or placeless citizenship and by commerce with impersonal and self-interested suppliers…
Thus, although we are not slaves in name, and cannot be carried to market and sold as somebody else’s legal chattels, we are free only within narrow limits. For all our talk about liberation and personal autonomy, there are few choices that we are free to make. What would be the point, for example, if a majority of our people decided to be self-employed?
The great enemy of freedom is the alignment of political power with wealth. This alignment destroys the commonwealth – that is, the natural wealth of localities and the local economies of household, neighborhood, and community – and so destroys democracy, of which the commonwealth is the foundation and practical means.
The manifesto written by Theodore John Kaczynski, titled “Industrial Society and Its Future”, was published in 1995. It consists of 232 paragraphs outlining his critiques of modern technological society, its effects on human freedom, and his views on what could be done to address these issues.
Here’s a broad outline of the manifesto’s main topics:
1. Introduction (Paragraphs 1-6)
Kaczynski introduces his thesis: The Industrial Revolution and its consequences have been disastrous for humanity.
He sets the foundation for why he believes modern technology erodes freedom and causes widespread psychological suffering.
2. The Power Process (Paragraphs 7-37)
Explains the concept of the “power process”—a framework of achieving goals and experiencing autonomy in life.
Argues that industrial society disrupts this natural process because basic needs are too easily met, leading to psychological issues.
Introduces terms like “surrogate activities” (unnecessary hobbies or pursuits) that people turn to in order to feel purpose.
3. The Problems of Modern Society (Paragraphs 38-76)
Highlights the growing control of individuals by large systems (e.g., governments, corporations).
Discusses the impact of technology on human autonomy, nature, and small communities.
Critiques the loss of personal freedom due to modern societal rules.
4. The Psychology of Leftism (Paragraphs 8-36, 83-120)
Kaczynski claims that modern “leftism” stems from feelings of inferiority, oversocialization, and a desire for control.
He argues that leftists often oppose technology in ways that still reinforce technological systems, undermining true revolution.
5. Disruption of Human Behavior (Paragraphs 121-144)
Explores how technological systems force humans to behave in unnatural ways.
Asserts that people are manipulated into conformity by bureaucratic systems and societal norms.
6. The Future of Industrial Society (Paragraphs 145-182)
Predicts two potential outcomes:
Technology continues to advance, leading to complete control over human behavior and loss of freedom.
The industrial system collapses, providing an opportunity to rebuild society on a smaller, more natural scale.
Warns that technological “solutions” to problems often create worse consequences.
7. Strategy for Revolution (Paragraphs 183-232)
Advocates for the elimination of the technological system rather than reforming it.
Rejects political reform or violence aimed at small issues; instead, he calls for a comprehensive rejection of industrial society.
Suggests focusing on spreading anti-technology ideology to prepare for a potential collapse.
Conclusion:
The manifesto concludes with a reiteration of the main point: technology is incompatible with human freedom, and radical action is necessary to dismantle the system.
The full text can be found in archives or historical repositories under its title “Industrial Society and Its Future.”
A deadly outbreak spurred removal of onions by a major food supplier in the Mountain West. Taco Bell, KFC, Burger King and Pizza Hut have stopped serving onions at various locations.
“A sweeping onion recall linked to an E. coli outbreak involving McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has prompted several other major fast-food chains to remove raw onions from their menu offerings. Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and Burger King have stopped adding fresh onions to their signature items at certain locations. A spokeswoman for Yum Brands, which owns several fast-food chains, said that its restaurants were yanking onions from their menus ‘out of an abundance of caution.’ Yum Brands would not elaborate or say how many sites in how many states would not offer onions.”
“As you consider whether to join the Great Resignation or take on a career transition, here are a few signs you might use to evaluate whether it’s time to truly move on from work that previously provided you with meaning: It’s no longer encouraging your growth. The best athletes will often diversify their physical training or dramatically change their routines. This is because, at some point, everything we do too consistently ceases to be a source of growth. When you notice a source of purpose is no longer helping you grow, look to reinvention or some other change. Leaving a job is a big decision, so I always encourage people to first see if there are ways to craft their work or make changes within their current professional environment before moving on.”
Graphic Designers’ Guide to Handling Client Changes
Handling a client who frequently requests unnecessary design changes can be challenging, but there are strategies you can use to address the situation professionally:
1. Clarify the Objectives Early On
– Start with a detailed discussion to understand the client’s goals, preferences, and expectations. Make sure they are clear on what the design will achieve.
– Establish key milestones and deliverables, and outline any constraints or limitations upfront.
2. Set Clear Boundaries and Limit Revisions
– Define a specific number of revisions in your contract. This will encourage the client to be more intentional with their feedback.
– If they exceed the agreed-upon number of revisions, politely inform them that additional changes may require extra fees or an extension to the timeline.
3. Educate the Client
– Sometimes, clients request changes because they don’t fully understand the design principles or how their requests affect the overall project.
– Take time to explain why certain elements work better and how frequent changes can dilute the effectiveness of the design.
4. Ask for Detailed Feedback
– When the client requests a change, ask for specific reasons behind it. This can help you understand their perspective and offer alternatives if their suggestions aren’t feasible or effective.
– Encourage them to consolidate their feedback into one list rather than submitting piecemeal requests. This way, you can address all concerns at once.
5. Provide Visual Examples
– If the client is struggling to articulate their vision, showing visual examples can help. Mood boards, mockups, or reference images can aid in aligning your ideas.
6. Be Open to Compromise
– While some changes might seem pointless to you, try to accommodate reasonable requests if they don’t significantly impact the design. Maintaining a positive client relationship is important, so pick your battles wisely.
7. Stay Firm but Diplomatic
– If a request truly compromises the design or adds unnecessary complexity, respectfully explain your professional viewpoint. Reinforce your role as an expert and how the initial approach aligns with the project goals.
8. Document Everything
– Keep a record of all change requests and your responses. This documentation can help prevent misunderstandings and protect you if there’s a disagreement later on.
By balancing flexibility with firm boundaries, you can help guide your client toward a successful final design while minimizing unnecessary changes.
