Twitter, a platform that was once seen as a catalyst for political change and social justice, has now become a breeding ground for propaganda, misinformation, and hatred. The ability to connect and communicate with people from all over the world in real-time has been exploited by those with vested interests, leading to the mirroring of “empirethink” and the capture of whole sectors of the economy.
It is no surprise that when a new leader comes into power, people expect change. However, the reality is often disappointing, and it seems that no matter how much people voice their opinions on Twitter, little seems to change. It’s as if Twitter has become a primordial soup of ideas, but soup of ideas can only seem to be translated into empirethink.
“Empirethink” is not limited to any one political ideology or party, but rather is a widespread phenomenon that transcends the traditional left-right divide. It is a way of thinking that prioritizes the interests of the elite and powerful over the needs of the wider society.
On the right, “empirethink” can be seen in the form of corporate capture of government and regulatory bodies, where powerful interests are able to shape policy in their own favor, often at the expense of workers and consumers. This can also manifest in the form of nationalist rhetoric that seeks to maintain the status quo and protect the interests of a privileged few.
On the left, “empirethink” can take the form of the belief in a centralized, technocratic approach to governance that is disconnected from the needs and desires of everyday people. This can lead to policies that are out of touch with the realities of people’s lives, and can result in a sense of disempowerment and alienation.
Regardless of the specific manifestation, “empirethink” is ultimately a mindset that perpetuates the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few, and perpetuates a system of inequality and exploitation.
The solution to “empirethink” is not to simply replace it with a different, more “breezy” version of the same mindset. Rather, it requires a fundamental deconstruction of the underlying framework of power and privilege that enables it to thrive. This means challenging the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few, and working to build a more just and equitable society.
This will require a reorientation of our political and economic systems, away from the interests of the elite and towards the needs of the wider society. It will require empowering everyday people to take control of their own lives and communities, and building structures of governance and decision-making that are more transparent, participatory, and accountable.
The truth is that Twitter was never the problem. The problem lies in the capture of entire sectors of the economy by those who seek to maintain their power and privilege. This “empirethink” has become so entrenched that it is nearly impossible to challenge, let alone change.
The rise of Trump and the veer to the right are not a result of Twitter or social media. Rather, they are a symptom of a society that has been controlled by the elite for far too long. The failure to address this issue and acknowledge the miscalculations of the so-called “non-elite” only exacerbates the problem.
It is tempting to focus on destroying Twitter or other platforms that have been hijacked by those in power. However, this is a misguided approach that will only serve to reinforce the status quo. Instead, we must address the root cause of the problem and work to dismantle the structures of power that have enabled “empirethink” to thrive.