Not sure how I feel about a lot of this post, particularly the part about agency - I personally think that to overcome nihilism is to connect and commune with others.
I would highly recommend Bernard Stiegler to you for thinking about technology in a more nuanced way - what he describes as Pharmakon
If you felt uneasy reading this post is probably because you're very interwined and invested in your social matrix, which is totally valid. The author does not clarify that being high-agency and out-of-the-matrix is a condition that few humans can psychologically tolerate. What is paradoxical is that the more you deprogram yourself, the more you connect with others. This comes at the cost that you become empty and without an identity. It produces fear because it's like metaphorical death and that's why most people feel uncomfortable processing these ideas.
Society is the Enemy! “What I’m gathering from all four generations —Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z —is that all generations are struggling, while at the same time, corporations are bringing in massive profits.”
Great newsletter as always. People need to understand that the matrix is the reality society presents us with and curates for us. Critical thinking and personal agency are often discouraged in school, at least in my experience. Highly recommend anyone to dig deeper into the origins of the public school system.
>> from universities where teachers were trained by teachers
That reminded me of something from a certain Russian writer (Pelevin). It's bad enough when the society is a bunch of zombies ran by an evil sorcerer. But the worst begins when the sorcerer dies and zombies inherit everything.
Ironically, the first step to escape the matrix begins with one philosophical question: Who am I? Through that question, you realize how much of your life — your name, your habits, your beliefs, your desires came from outside, not from within.
To leave the matrix is to question everything, quiet the noise, and find truth inside yourself.
I recently noticed how algorithms aren’t just shaping what we see — they’re slowly shaping how we choose.
For example, I realized YouTube stopped being a tool for learning and had turned into a trap. A few seconds of scrolling and I’d lose my free will, pulled into an endless feed that left me drained.
I wrote about the simple hack I used to break free and reclaim my autonomy here:
Exiting the Matrix is not about achieved goals—being rich, fit, famous, or well-known. That’s just another illusion in the sequence. The essence of leaving the Matrix is being free from the programs running in your mind, regardless of whether they’re useful and lead you to achieve your goals or are self-sabotaging. Being original is not about thinking, but quite the opposite — it’s about neutral observation. Programs are a natural thing, because we learn by modeling others from our closest or broader environment.
Being original doesn’t mean you don’t have programs—without them, life in 3D would be meaningless—it’s only about whether you consciously choose them. The best is to experience both extremes and, in the end, not identify with either side. Speaking of Krishnamurti, he really knows how to deliver a slap: "Most of us are mediocre. Even the most talented are mediocre because their talent is partial, limited, narrow. A gift doesn’t lift you out of mediocrity. A painter may paint the most beautiful pictures but they are still a mediocre person because they hunger after fame, after the recognition of society, wanting to be rich, known, famous. This all indicates the petty, shallow, mediocre mind, though gifted with a talent. And most of us have neither great talent nor great capacity of thought. Perhaps it’s just as well because then we are eager to find out, to search out, to inquire. But the man who has committed himself to something refuses to inquire into anything except proceeding along the lines he has chosen."
This arrived in my inbox early this morning and was my first read for the day - well done on getting my mind spinning so early! So much food for thought and I felt you did an amazing job at what could have been a very negative, depressing topic and moving in a really positive and inspiring direction!
Especially,the reassurance to be able to sometimes try and adapt to things which were not way planned on our bucket lists.Or trying something that's completely against your belief
Exploring is how we get to know the unknown. An open , genuinely curious mind is what an 'intelligent' person is for me.
In my lifetime I have heard maybe 4 people speak on the writings of Jung nor Krishnamurti (in the physical, not online, though that is lacking as well). What a breath of fresh air to have stumbled upon your page!
He, Jung, Nietzsche, Thoreau/Emerson, Bukowski and Camus have had a major impact on mine. Some positive, some negative! But their work have certainly opened my eyes and mind to a lot.
Being outside the matrix feels like shit and makes you work really hard. Great - I used to be happy and enjoy my life, now I'm out of phase with reality, nobody loves me and I have to work hard to have a life I didn't want. Thanks, I hate it
Not sure how I feel about a lot of this post, particularly the part about agency - I personally think that to overcome nihilism is to connect and commune with others.
I would highly recommend Bernard Stiegler to you for thinking about technology in a more nuanced way - what he describes as Pharmakon
If you felt uneasy reading this post is probably because you're very interwined and invested in your social matrix, which is totally valid. The author does not clarify that being high-agency and out-of-the-matrix is a condition that few humans can psychologically tolerate. What is paradoxical is that the more you deprogram yourself, the more you connect with others. This comes at the cost that you become empty and without an identity. It produces fear because it's like metaphorical death and that's why most people feel uncomfortable processing these ideas.
Connection is THE thing missing in our culture today. Real, in-person connection. 100% agree w your thoughts.
Society is the Enemy! “What I’m gathering from all four generations —Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z —is that all generations are struggling, while at the same time, corporations are bringing in massive profits.”
We have to save ourselves: https://unorthodoxy.substack.com/p/gen-z-is-worse-than-you-thinkbut
Great newsletter as always. People need to understand that the matrix is the reality society presents us with and curates for us. Critical thinking and personal agency are often discouraged in school, at least in my experience. Highly recommend anyone to dig deeper into the origins of the public school system.
>> from universities where teachers were trained by teachers
That reminded me of something from a certain Russian writer (Pelevin). It's bad enough when the society is a bunch of zombies ran by an evil sorcerer. But the worst begins when the sorcerer dies and zombies inherit everything.
It has never been easier to outcompete the average person - IF you have the right mindset.
Dan, the final point cuts off mid-sentence. What is the link you are hinting at there?
He has a free (I think) course where he shows how he uses AI for posts, landing pages, marketing, etc. Check out his profile it's of great value.
Ironically, the first step to escape the matrix begins with one philosophical question: Who am I? Through that question, you realize how much of your life — your name, your habits, your beliefs, your desires came from outside, not from within.
To leave the matrix is to question everything, quiet the noise, and find truth inside yourself.
There is a moment those answers get scary. Red pill blue pill. I didn’t understand what the choices represented until much later in life.
This really hit home. 👏
I recently noticed how algorithms aren’t just shaping what we see — they’re slowly shaping how we choose.
For example, I realized YouTube stopped being a tool for learning and had turned into a trap. A few seconds of scrolling and I’d lose my free will, pulled into an endless feed that left me drained.
I wrote about the simple hack I used to break free and reclaim my autonomy here:
https://substack.com/@varunsinghsisodia/note/c-162744819?r=lie5r
Would love to hear your take.
Exiting the Matrix is not about achieved goals—being rich, fit, famous, or well-known. That’s just another illusion in the sequence. The essence of leaving the Matrix is being free from the programs running in your mind, regardless of whether they’re useful and lead you to achieve your goals or are self-sabotaging. Being original is not about thinking, but quite the opposite — it’s about neutral observation. Programs are a natural thing, because we learn by modeling others from our closest or broader environment.
Being original doesn’t mean you don’t have programs—without them, life in 3D would be meaningless—it’s only about whether you consciously choose them. The best is to experience both extremes and, in the end, not identify with either side. Speaking of Krishnamurti, he really knows how to deliver a slap: "Most of us are mediocre. Even the most talented are mediocre because their talent is partial, limited, narrow. A gift doesn’t lift you out of mediocrity. A painter may paint the most beautiful pictures but they are still a mediocre person because they hunger after fame, after the recognition of society, wanting to be rich, known, famous. This all indicates the petty, shallow, mediocre mind, though gifted with a talent. And most of us have neither great talent nor great capacity of thought. Perhaps it’s just as well because then we are eager to find out, to search out, to inquire. But the man who has committed himself to something refuses to inquire into anything except proceeding along the lines he has chosen."
This arrived in my inbox early this morning and was my first read for the day - well done on getting my mind spinning so early! So much food for thought and I felt you did an amazing job at what could have been a very negative, depressing topic and moving in a really positive and inspiring direction!
Really beautiful post
Especially,the reassurance to be able to sometimes try and adapt to things which were not way planned on our bucket lists.Or trying something that's completely against your belief
Exploring is how we get to know the unknown. An open , genuinely curious mind is what an 'intelligent' person is for me.
So ironic that you quote Elon Musk at the beginning 😂 necessary inquiry, though :)
Honestly, respect to Dan for talking about this with his reach. (mentionning mimetic desire was unexpected)
This is a subject dear to me, and I will certainly talk about it in the near future.
This kept me hooked, I read till end
Keep it up dan
In my lifetime I have heard maybe 4 people speak on the writings of Jung nor Krishnamurti (in the physical, not online, though that is lacking as well). What a breath of fresh air to have stumbled upon your page!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Well said.
Krishnamurti's teachings completely changed my life.
He, Jung, Nietzsche, Thoreau/Emerson, Bukowski and Camus have had a major impact on mine. Some positive, some negative! But their work have certainly opened my eyes and mind to a lot.
Thanks for sharing :)
Being outside the matrix feels like shit and makes you work really hard. Great - I used to be happy and enjoy my life, now I'm out of phase with reality, nobody loves me and I have to work hard to have a life I didn't want. Thanks, I hate it