You wake up in the morning, check your phone, scroll through your feed, choose what to eat, what to wear, which news to get outraged by, which guru to trust. You feel free. But have you ever thought that all these "choices" are nothing more than branches of the same tree, planted not by you?
The system long ago stopped holding people by force. Today, it operates through consent. Through the illusion of freedom, so cozy that breaking out of it seems pointless. And everything is arranged with brilliant simplicity.
1. CHOICE WITHOUT CHOICE: THE MARKET AS THEATER
You stand in front of a shelf with milk. It's "organic," "lactose-free," "with omega-3," "for slenderness," "for immunity." You choose—and feel in control. But who controls this control? In 80% of cases—three global corporations. And it's not just about milk. It's about election candidates, "alternative" media, "independent" experts whose research is funded by the same foundations as government agencies.
There is a choice—but only within the corridor drawn for you. Step aside—and you're outside the system. And being outside the system today is scarier than being in prison. Because you simply stop being noticed.
2. RIGHTS WITHOUT OPPORTUNITIES: DEMOCRACY AS DECORATION
Yes, you have the right to a fair trial. But to use it, you need to know the laws, have money, connections, and time. And you have—credit, exhausting work, and anxiety from every phone notification.
You are formally free—but in reality, you are so deep in the survival system that you have neither the strength nor the resources to exercise this freedom.
And the system knows this. That's why it declares rights—as a reminder that "everything is fair," and if you're not doing well, it's your fault.
3. ENTERTAINMENT INSTEAD OF AWARENESS: YOUR MIND IS THE MAIN MARKET
You're not consuming content. You are the product. Your attention is the currency. Every like, every view, every comment—these are data points that are monetized.
You think you're relaxing by watching reels. In reality, you're giving away your most valuable assets—time and focus—in exchange for a false sense of participation in someone else's life.
And while you watch how an "unknown blogger travels to Dubai," your real life passes by. And what's the point? You don't seek meaning—it's handed to you in the form of a $199 course from a "spiritual coach."
4. CONTROL THROUGH CARE: YOUR SAFETY IS THEIR DATA
You agreed to "convenient notifications," "personalized content," "smart" devices that listen to you even at night. All for your "safety" and "comfort."
Now imagine: in August 2025, the Pentagon already deployed a network of sensors, IR towers, and AR glasses for border guards along the entire southern border of the U.S. These technologies aren't just for the border—they're for you. For the city. For your neighborhood. For your apartment—tomorrow.
First, it's the "fight against migrants," then the "fight against disinformation," then the "fight against threats to national stability." And under "threats," they might mean you—if you start asking inconvenient questions.
5. DIVISION AS THE BASIS OF CONTROL
You are alone. You're "on your own." You're independent, free, unique. And your neighbor is "not your circle," "a different generation," "a different mentality."
The system has destroyed the sense of community. Replaced it with personalization. With "your style," "your goals," "your truth."
Where there is no commonality, there is no resistance. Where there is no solidarity, there is no strength. And loneliness becomes the norm.
And then you go to a new "guru," buy new "milk of truth"—and again fill the same pocket that has been draining your energy, time, and will for years.
BUT THERE IS A WAY OUT — IF YOU STOP CHOOSING FROM WHAT YOU'RE GIVEN
True freedom doesn't start with choosing between brands. It starts with rejecting the game by someone else's rules.
With the question: "Who determines what I need?"
With a pause between notifications.
With a look beyond the milk shelf.
Because real choice isn't what's offered to you.
Real choice is what you create yourself.
— the choice is yours ⥣
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