Thinking in Modern Society

(This post was initially written in Chinese, my native language, and then translated into English. Below is the translation.)

Technological progress has not altered the essence of human existence; beyond making the physical body a bit more comfortable, it has done nothing to elevate the human spiritual world.

American society, and indeed other modern societies, are thoroughly governed by the principle of utility; the social apparatus revolves entirely around exchange and transaction. When human speed proved insufficient, we invented machines that now operate at paces beyond our comprehension. Humans have been marginalized by this relentless machinery, passively accepting our lot while consoling ourselves that we are enjoying the fruits of modern technology. Yet, bit by bit, our self-respect is being stripped away by our own hand.

Thinking is a fundamental human right. However, exercising this right requires energy—much like composing poetry, painting, or making music. The energy of the mind requires absolute concentration to coalesce, enabling thought and creation. For modern humans, the most precious energy we possess is the capacity to think.

The dilemma of thinking lies in its "uselessness"—it yields neither economic reward nor prestige, and it cannot even guarantee a happier life for the thinker. In fact, it often brings greater misery in reality due to a sense of misalignment. A thinking person must make a choice between clarity and comfort.

Consequently, a vulgar form of "thinking" has emerged: the endless chatter and nonsense found on social media platforms, which merely fill empty minds and breed restlessness. Viewers self-deceivingly believe that consuming these short videos can substitute for their own observation and reflection.

Human life, in all likelihood, is but a transient existence. Having recognized this truth and choosing to be honest with myself, I choose to think—allowing thought to become as natural as breathing, so that I may do my utmost to resist alienation by modern American society.

现代社会中的思考

科技的进步并没有改变人存在的本质，除了让肉体更加舒适一些，也没有让人的精神世界变得更为进步。

美国，或者其他现代社会，都充满着实用性(utility)的原则，社会的运转围着交换和交易。当人的速度不够快的时候，人发明了机器，机器以人无法理解的速度进行运转。人被抛在这种运转的边缘，被动接受，并自我安慰我们在享受现代科技的成果。人的自尊却一点点的被自我剥夺。

思考是人的基本权利。但形式这种权利需要能量。如同创作诗歌、绘画、音乐，都需要能量。心灵的能量需要极度的专心才能聚合，完成思考和创作。现代人最宝贵的能量就是思考。

思考的困境是它的“无用性”——无法获得经济和名誉的收获，甚至无法让思考的人活得更幸福，甚至在现实中因为格格不入而活得更为痛苦。思考的人必须在清醒和舒适之间做选择。

于是就产生了一种庸俗的“思考”。就是自媒体平台上的喋喋不休、胡言乱语，它们只是填充了空虚的心灵，扰乱人心。看视频的人会自我欺骗地认为看这些短视频就可以代替自己的观察和思考。

人的生命，大概率是临时性的存在。我看到这一点，且对自己诚实，所以我会选择思考，让思考就如同呼吸一样，让自己尽量不被现代美国社会异化。