The Fascinating Phenomenon That Captivates Us Unavoidably: An Overlooked Danger to Our Free Autonomy

The Invisible Threat to Our Free Will: Recognizing the Power of Symbolic Influence

In discussions surrounding artificial intelligence, the focus often centers on dramatic scenarios: autonomous robots, AI superintelligence overtaking humanity, or machines enforcing control through brute force. These visions of rapid, catastrophic change capture the imagination, but they don’t tell the whole story. The real challenge may be far subtler—and perhaps more dangerous: the erosion of our attention and the shaping of our worldview through pervasive symbolic influence.

Our perceptions of reality—what we believe about ourselves and the world—are largely constructed from the information our senses deliver over a lifetime. This cumulative input influences everything from our language and trust to our political beliefs. When we stop to reflect, it’s clear how much of our perspective is derived from indirect sources rather than direct experience.

All animals with brains gather information about their environment to survive, and humans are no exception. This process allows us to adapt within a lifetime rather than waiting for genetic change. But humans possess something uniquely powerful: the ability to communicate complex ideas symbolically. Through stories, speech, writing, and images, we transmit shared worldviews across generations. This capability—our greatest strength—also exposes us to profound vulnerabilities.

Symbolic communication forms the bedrock of civilization. It enables us to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and build culture. Almost everything that defines humanity is rooted in our capacity to create and interpret symbols. Yet, this same system becomes a conduit for influence, shaping beliefs in ways that often go unnoticed.

Historically, written language emerged only about 5,000 years ago, and for much of human history, literacy was limited to elite groups. During those eras, the majority’s worldview was shaped largely through direct experience and oral tradition. The invention of television marked a turning point—a new form of symbolic transmission that didn’t rely on reading. Suddenly, information that shaped worldview became more accessible, amplifying its influence. If we quantify it, perhaps the “symbolic” elements of our worldview expanded from around 2% to 10% in influence.

Growing up in the late 20th century, I recall a household with a single television—rarely watched and not tailored to my preferences. Today, screens are omnipresent. We are immersed in an environment where algorithms intimately understand our habits, preferences, and even subconscious cues. The shift over the past three decades is unprecedented, and it raises a pressing concern: what happens when an algorithm begins to know