The Network Won
On September 25th, 2023, the network emerged victorious.
First, you're probably wondering what "network" means and how I know it prevailed, and what this victory entails.
In his remarkable book, "The Network State," Balaji Srinivasan explains that there are three types of power structures: God, State, and The Network. Take a moment to ponder your daily life. Who wields power over you? Do you find yourself most fearful of God, the state, or the network? Who has the capacity to obstruct your ability to earn a living in today's world?
If I can't access my email, YouTube, or Zoom account, I can't conduct my business. As an entrepreneur, I rely on these tools daily to schedule clients, host events, and showcase my videos, among other things.
I'm most concerned about the reliability of my network connections. When I wish to share my ideas, I utilize my Squarespace-hosted website, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. If I were to be deplatformed for arbitrary reasons, such as the whims of those in power disliking topics like Chakras or yoga, I'd be out of business.
Simultaneously, I now possess a global platform to disseminate my ideas. My limitations are solely determined by my imagination and my capacity to express myself concisely. I can refine my skills in photography, lighting, sound quality, writing, and more.
Now, let me provide you with evidence that The Network has triumphed: On September 25th, a podcast hosted the United States Surgeon General. Andrew Huberman initiated his podcast from the ground up in 2021, without the backing of major networks like The New York Times, CNN, CBS, or NPR. He simply launched it and concentrated on delivering quality, clarity, and his mission: “bring zero cost to consumer information on science and science related tools to the general public."
Listen to the episode: https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/us-surgeon-general-dr-vivek-murthy-efforts-challenges-in-promoting-public-health
The Surgeon General lauded Huberman for his work, acknowledging the tremendous service he was rendering to the world.
We are all fully empowered to share our talents with the world. This is a distinctive capability, yet it can also be weighty and formidable.
A few quotes come to mind as we contemplate how much power we each have:
The first is from Mary Oliver, "What is your plan for your wild and precious life?"
The next ones are from Scott Adams' recent book, Reframe Your Brain:
-Usual Frame: The experts are in charge.
-Reframe: The best communicator is in charge.
-Usual Frame: The boss is in charge.
-Reframe: The most capable people are in charge.
-Usual Frame: The people in charge have the power.
-Reframe: Power = (Persuasion skill) x (Audience size)”
So, do you believe me? Who do you think has the power now? God? The State? Or the Network(s)? How do you see the conflicts between these powers playing out in your own life? What impact does this conflict have on your future?
