Sign in Subscribe

Homo Robot: Restrained by Laws, Herded by Norms

Homo Robot: Restrained by Laws, Herded by Norms
Photo by Rumman Amin / Unsplash

As I currently wander through the vibrant jungles of Thailand, where half the population lives, I feel struck by a profound truth: true meaning in life only emerges through the essence of freedom. This freedom, however, is not confined to the simplicity of choice or the absence of barriers in expression. It is far deeper —a freedom of the mind, an unshackled state of being where happiness takes root and flourishes.

I am grateful to see that spaces and communities still exist where the freedom of the mind is both allowed and prioritised. In the case of Thailand, taxing, policing, laws, rituals, gender norms, family structures, sense of security and belonging are not rigid but fluid and adaptable to the needs of people. It is within these liberating environments that individuals are able to become their true selves —fully present, authentic, and overflowing with creative energy. In such spaces, where kindness and focus prevail, intentions bloom into reality, and life transforms from a series of duties into colourful expressions and collective growth.

This is the freedom we seek —the freedom not just to survive, but to truly live.

Chains of Delusions

In stark contrast, Turkey stands as a powerful example from the opposite pole. Here, every movement of the populace is met with suffocating restrictions —irrational taxes, a deviant authoritarian spinning fantastical political narratives, and a culture steeped in toxicity, violence, and out-of-age religious dogma. The very essence of being human —the right to live with dignity— collapses under the weight of a state that prioritises control over existence, productivity over peace, all in the chains of delusions.

Surrounded by femicide, political polarisation, rampant discrimination, and relentless hatred, there is no time for people to rest, no room for them to dream, no space to live authentically. Life becomes a battleground, existence becomes a commodity owned by the state —power. As in Hannah Arendt’s haunting concept of 'voluntary servitude,' here, people unknowingly surrender their freedom of mind in exchange for the false promise of security, constructed from myths of terror, refugees, or whatever the latest political scapegoat may be; an imagined or exaggerated threat. In such an environment, existence is reduced to mere submission, leaving little room for the flourishing of the self.

Fear casts a long shadow, reinforced by toxic shame and the oppressive hold of centuries old feodal patriarchy, driven solely by profit. Through the extraction of taxes and the exploitation of labour including military labour, the state strengthens its grip, elevating itself above the very people it professes to serve. People are reduced to mere components in a system, crushed and rendered invisible, their identities diminished from the moment they appear in the world. This psychological erasure is subtle but profound; born into such an environment, individuals face not only physical oppression but a mental imprisonment that suffocates personal growth.

Systemic Repression

Historically, the Turkish state has used various methods to stifle dissent and enforce compliance. With a legacy of authoritarianism, the current regime since 2002, continues to implement oppressive policies that inhibit free thought and creativity. Such systemic repression fosters a culture of fear, where the individual self is crushed, and societal norms dictate conformity.

Research from Freedom House indicates that Turkey ranks as "not free," with widespread restrictions on civil liberties and political rights . The government has cracked down on journalists, exemplified by the case of Ahmet Altan, a prominent journalist and writer imprisoned in 2016 for allegedly supporting a coup attempt, which many view as a politically motivated myth. His detention and trial are often cited as part of a broader crackdown on press freedom, with Turkey ranking 153rd in the 2023 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders.

Amnesty International has documented countless instances of human rights abuses, including the silencing of journalists and activists who dare to challenge the status quo. Among these abuses is the systematic arrest of Kurdish political leaders, such as Selahattin Demirtaş who has been imprisoned since 2016, and Abdullah Öcalan, who has been detained since 1999. Another notable case is that of Osman Kavala, a philanthropist and human rights advocate, who has been imprisoned without a conviction since 2017. These arrests illustrate a broader strategy aimed at quelling dissent and maintaining the status quo.

The Gezi Park protests in 2013, which began as a peaceful environmental demonstration, escalated into widespread protests against the government. The violent response from security forces, including mass arrests and the use of bullet and tear gas, underscored the state’s authoritarian approach to dissent and reinforced a pervasive culture of fear and repression. In this environment, the implications of systemic repression extend beyond individual cases; they reflect a society in which the potential for authentic self-expression and meaningful change is severely undermined. The collective silence born from fear is both a symptom and a mechanism of control, ultimately serving to perpetuate the very systems that stifle freedom and creativity.

Homo Robot

In the midst of this stifling environment, a new phenomenon emerges: the rise of the 'homo robot.' As systemic repression tightens its grip, individuals increasingly resemble automatons, their choices, decisions, and desires shaped by the very power structures that seek to control them. Rather than machines threatening our existence, we have become the machines behind the machines, mechanically navigating the societal codes that prioritise conformity over authenticity.

As technology advances, corroding and erasing our sense of self and agency, the risk of dehumanisation increases. This phenomenon does not exist in isolation; it is deeply intertwined with the systemic repression we previously explored. The authoritarian regime actively cultivates an environment where dissent is not just discouraged but virtually impossible. Social media exacerbates this crisis, with studies revealing a strong correlation between excessive use and rising feelings of loneliness and anxiety (Primack et al., 2017). These platforms, originally designed to connect us, instead become tools of surveillance and manipulation, reinforcing the very structures that seek to control our lives.

In short, the homo robot refers to individuals whose minds are captured by power. To confront this power, we must reclaim our humanity by fostering genuine connections and encouraging self-reflection. Redefining what it means to be human in the 21st century requires creating environments that promote love, peace, empathy, authenticity, and creativity. It is only through such conscious efforts that we can break free from the chains of delusion and revive the essence of what it means to be truly alive.

Reclaiming Humanity

As we examine Turkey, we must also recognise that these issues are not confined to Turkey alone. Many geographies grapple with similar challenges, where the machinery of state power seeks to subjugate and control. In the face of such adversity, we are compelled to question: What is the price of our silence, our compliance? How much longer will we allow ourselves to be herded into a collective existence devoid of meaning and freedom? 

The journey to reclaim our humanity begins with acknowledging the structures that bind us. We must rise against the tide of conformity and strive for a society that values individual autonomy and collective well-being. Only then can we hope to escape the chains of 'voluntary servitude' and breathe life back into our shared existence, embracing the vibrant chaos of freedom that lies beyond the prohibitions. 

References