In our ever-evolving world, technological progress tends to shape not only our environment but also the deepest fabrics of human interaction. One of the most profound shifts we are experiencing is the atomization and virtualization of society. Within this context, it becomes imperative for us to ponder upon the erosion of familial ties and the birth of a new economic bond among individuals. This shift may inadvertently herald the rebirth of Platonic ideals of statehood.
Christian culture is characterized by a project-driven life—a life aiming towards an eschaton, a finale, a culmination of sorts. This very logic finds its echo in communism and Stalinism, both eschatological projects in their essence. Christianity marks the end of an era with Jesus concluding the Old Testament epoch, leading us to anticipate the end of times. The culture of Stalin's era shared a similar structure. The Marxist narrative views history as a byproduct of class struggle, and by Stalin's doctrine, class society was eradicated in the USSR, leaving the world without its historical propellant. This brings forth a profound existential question: How does one live when history has seemingly concluded, yet the world marches on? Such contemplation dovetails with the idea of 'waiting time'—a period reduced merely to expectation. Both Christian and communist traditions grapple with this thematic concept.
Plato's state and the Soviet Union project are bound together by their radical collective ideals. The vestiges of Platonic ideals are evident throughout European history, especially in monasteries epitomizing a form of collective public economy. The Soviet Union, in this framework, can be seen as a vast monastery, embodying both Platonic and Christian monastic economic concepts. It's imperative, though, to clarify that I diverge from the oft-held belief of the Soviet experiment being a sheer failure. Ideas have a resilient quality; they metamorphose and can resurrect in unforeseen avatars in the future. The evolving perceptions of human rights and democracy serve as a testament. Once synonymous with terror and mass executions, these concepts now resonate with democratic ideals.
Projecting into the future, as society delves deeper into atomization and virtualization, traditional familial bonds might fray, giving rise to a novel form of union through economy. Art, being the mirror of society, must navigate, reflect, and, at times, challenge these transformations. As we stand on the precipice of this brave new world, it becomes the prerogative of artists and thinkers alike to mold, define, and envision the aesthetics of our shared future.
In a world teetering on the edges of disillusionment and uncertainty, the quintessential art of survival seems to be metamorphosing, paving the path for the emergence of a futuristic identity—Homo Technicus. This transformation perhaps serves as a beacon, beckoning the contemporary society towards not only survival but a potential flourishing existence amidst the orchestrated chaos.