DR COM DEMORI | Filósofa Marilena Chaui comenta sobre o mundo virtual

Summary

The transcript explores the profound changes brought by the digital age, emphasizing how the shift from physical to virtual spaces impacts human subjectivity. It discusses the rise of narcissistic, depressive identities due to the constant need for validation through external eyes, leading to increased mental health issues, particularly among youth. The conversation critiques the illusion of autonomy in the digital world, highlighting how individuals are reduced to users in a system controlled by large corporations. It also touches on the erosion of traditional working-class structures and the emergence of a new precariat class, fundamentally altering societal relations and identity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Technology has transformed how we handle daily tasks, like managing family, work, and finances, with digital tools like WhatsApp, work apps, and banking apps.
• 😀 The shift from the 90s way of life to the digital age involves the loss of traditional social interactions, as people now rely more on technology to manage their personal and professional affairs.
• 😀 A new form of subjectivity is emerging due to the digital world, characterized by narcissism where existence is validated by being seen by others.
• 😀 The dependence on external validation (e.g., through social media and influencers) is leading to a rise in depression, especially among younger people.
• 😀 Studies show an alarming increase in suicide rates among youth worldwide, which is linked to the mental health challenges exacerbated by the digital age.
• 😀 The changes brought by technology are not just technological but represent a civilizational mutation, reshaping society at a deep, systemic level.
• 😀 Despite the illusion of autonomy and freedom offered by digital technology, users are actually controlled by large corporations that dictate their lives.
• 😀 The rise of digital platforms has led to the emergence of a new class of workers—the 'precariado'—who lack job security and traditional class identity.
• 😀 Traditional class structures are being replaced by a more fragmented society where individual autonomy is both more accessible and more fragile than ever.
• 😀 The pervasive control of large digital corporations over people's lives is contributing to a feeling of servitude, despite the apparent freedoms of the digital age.

Q & A

How has technology changed the way people experience their daily life?

Technology has significantly streamlined daily tasks, such as maintaining relationships and handling business transactions, by allowing these activities to be done quickly and efficiently through apps like WhatsApp and banking applications. This has altered the way people interact with their environments, reducing the need for physical presence.

What new form of subjectivity is emerging due to digital technologies?

A new type of subjectivity is emerging that is narcissistic, where existence is defined by being seen or recognized by others. People now depend on external validation, such as likes or comments, to affirm their sense of self-worth, which is fundamentally different from traditional forms of personal identity.

How does this new form of subjectivity contribute to mental health issues?

This new narcissistic subjectivity, which relies on the gaze and approval of others, can lead to depression. As people depend on external validation, the absence of these affirmations can cause feelings of emptiness and a sense of not existing, which is linked to higher rates of depression and suicide, especially among young people.

What role do influencers play in this new form of subjectivity?

Influencers are seen as figures who provide the external validation people crave. They contribute to the rise of narcissistic, digital identities, as individuals seek validation and recognition from influencers to affirm their existence in the digital world.

Why is the concept of 'Fake News' considered dangerous in this context?

Fake News is considered dangerous because it isn't just gossip or rumors—it can shape public perception and influence people's beliefs and decisions. In the digital age, where people are heavily reliant on information from the internet, Fake News can manipulate the views and behaviors of large groups, contributing to the larger civilizational mutation.

What does the speaker mean by a 'civilizational mutation'?

The speaker suggests that the rapid growth of digital technologies has led to more than just a technological change—it has caused a fundamental shift in society's structure and values. This shift involves the breakdown of traditional ways of life and the emergence of new, often illusory, forms of autonomy and identity.

How does digital technology create an illusion of autonomy?

Digital technology creates an illusion of autonomy by giving individuals the impression that they have control over their lives, such as through social media and the ability to share content. However, in reality, people are often just consumers in a system controlled by large tech companies that influence their behaviors, thoughts, and decisions.

What is meant by the 'entrepreneurship of oneself' and how does it relate to precarity?

The 'entrepreneurship of oneself' refers to the idea that individuals are now expected to manage their own careers and financial stability, often through gig work or self-promotion on digital platforms. This creates a sense of autonomy but also leads to precarity—an unstable, insecure way of life where traditional social safety nets and employment structures are disappearing.

How has the role of the working class evolved in the digital age?

The role of the traditional working class, which was defined by concrete work and a connection to the production process, has dissolved. With the rise of the digital economy and gig work, the working class is now fragmented, and people are increasingly isolated in their work, with less social or political cohesion.

Why does the speaker argue that this change is more than just a technological shift?

The speaker argues that the shift is more than just technological because it fundamentally alters how people relate to one another and the world. The new digital reality is not just about new tools; it's about a complete transformation of society's structure, values, and economic systems, leading to a loss of traditional social bonds and the rise of a new, fragmented reality.