#03: Creation vs. Consumption

Enter: Technology

In today’s modern world, all we do is consume. Whether it’s social media, streaming services, podcasts, or old-school cable, I’ve found myself in a rut of increasing screen time and the ever-more frequent question of “what the ____ am I even watching?”. And that’s from conscious consumption.

You think about all of the subtle ways that your attention is captured throughout the day. From the moment you roll over in bed and glance at your phone to your morning commute on the highway to unwinding at the end of the day watching TV, there’s an “urgent” notification, a gaudy billboard, or a retired athlete showcasing cholesterol medication in your purview. All looking to capture your attention as a consumer and sell you something.

I believe humans are meant to create. In my eyes, creation is the process of building “stuff”. And this “stuff” can really be anything. It can be physical buildings, roads, or bridges. It can be processes, systems, ideas, or theories. Creation is how society has advanced and prospered. Whether it’s civilizations, buildings, governments, languages, or modes of transportation, creation has led the way for prosperity and a higher quality of life.

Wait, there’s one creation output I’m missing. It happens to be what is created today and empowers creation today – technology.

Technological advances have catapulted society into a better way of life. They’ve enabled transformations in communication, medicine, transportation, infrastructure, education, and so much more.

But there are drawbacks to such rapid societal advancement by technology. I won’t dive into all of them, but I would be remiss to call out the relationship between creation vs. consumption, and its complicated relationship with technology.

I find it fascinating how the technology humans have created has also allowed humans to exist in a consumption-only state. It’s so easy to go throughout your day and doom-scroll TikTok on your phone or binge-watch a Netflix show. And then boom, the day is over. You’ve passed out on your couch and Netflix is asking you if you’re still watching the show. Not a pretty sight if you’re betting on the future of innovation at the population level.

Now don’t get me wrong. I believe technology is a tremendous net gain to society. It is incredible what TikTok and Netflix have created, however I worry about the lack of creation from the hundreds of millions that participate in some combination of the above scenario. Have our advancements in technology made it too easy to default to consumption? Technology can make us feel comfortable, and it is instinctual to want to feel safe and secure. But can we find more balance, seeking out opportunities and desires to create? And not let the comfort that technology may bring get in the way of our creative ambitions?

This post is a conscious declaration of my desire to create more. I find more purpose in life as a creator vs. a consumer. To step outside my current consumption bubble and create ideas for others to ponder about. I understand how my creation of writing inherently will require others to consume it, however I hope it spurs thoughts and leads others to create things and ideas. So, I’m putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and writing. That’ll be my form of creation.