I saw Barbie movie, it was entertaining. I like the dance number, set production, and the outfit because it did look like the toys from Mattel but it is not as innocent as it looks.

Thanks to Barbie, I now know that the patriarchy, which subjugated women and made it challenging for them to be a woman (based on America’s speech), can be challenged by engaging men’s ego; by exploiting their egoistic and childish tendencies, making them jealous, and pitting them against one another. What a mature way to undo patriarchy, which by the way was mentioned in the movie till kingdom come.

And that in life, to have identity you need autonomy (self-government) because having a partner can influence one’s identity, which make one inauthentic based on their narrative. This is why Barbie doesn’t need Ken and Ken doesn’t need Barbie so each can create their own, true, and free-from-influence personhood.

However, all the success gained by the Barbies from going through the trouble of fighting the patriarchy and asserting autonomy to find oneself suddenly went to naught as the idea of “being ordinary is ok” was promoted in the end. This part confused me, what’s the message, equality and autonomy or being ordinary? Are there 2 or 3 messages?

There’s no problem with being ordinary because it is in the ordinary that we find meaning to life. We can even find our identity in the simple tasks we do daily. This brings me to ask the question: will Mattel spend its resources to make ordinary Barbies, bring back pregnant Barbies, sales lady Barbies, Brick layer Barbies, fat Barbies, cleaner Barbie, dishwasher Barbies, so they can be true and authentic to its message?

Additionally, the portrayal of the patriarchy (male dominated society) is totally one sided and only creates division between men and women. The movie failed to show the significant roles and contributions of women in society since time immemorial, including top positions in government and corporations, and the nurturing roles of mothers in the formation of great leaders who have contributed to society.

Furthermore, the suggestion of the need for Nietzschean autonomy is problematic. While autonomy is valued, it is crucial to note that autonomy cannot be absolute as no man can be entirely himself because man will always be a part of something.

Absolute autonomy, the assertion of one’s will and power, only leads to division and radical individualism and undermines the value of relationships that lead to the creation of families.

Injecting ideas that (young) women are disadvantaged because they live in a patriarchal society and autonomy is the answer to finding one’s identity harms not just the person but also the society as a whole. Society is not built by one person, one gender, or one race, but by a combination of strength and care from diverse people.

The movie appears to be harmless because it’s visually appealing but when you unpack the message, it’s full of harmful ideas. The movie is akin to a candy that looks sweet but turns sour when eaten. But do watch it and see for yourself.

This is a Facebook post from July 23, 2020

Today I had a wonderful time facilitating a webinar with Jeremy on sales opportunities and building customer relationship in the new reality. I also gave a lecture on customer avatar.

The attendees were top executives from different multinational companies and were there because they want to find opportunities in the new reality. Some attendees were from Manila and some from Cebu. Companies range from insurance to management services.

I am in my element when I teach about marketing, sales and entrepreneurship. It’s easier to teach something you know by heart and something you have experience in.

If there is one take away i want my audience to get in that class, or in any of my future classes, I wish it would be hope for those who are stuck and a spark of idea for those who would rather be in another place.

Both hope and ideas are strong forces that allow a person to move, and movement is what we want because movement is progress. All great revolutions were won because people either found hope or an idea sparked. Without hope Edison May have stopped on his 3rd failure. Without an idea, he may not have thought of the need for a bulb.

I think that to spark hope and ideas are the 2 reasons why I teach and it is only now that I realize this. Thanks to the pandemic, I have time to ponder.

Now I have an idea, I hope it works, so off I go.

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.” – Emily Dickinson

“No Matter What People Tell You, Words And Ideas Can Change The World.” – Robin Williams

With how technology has advanced since the advent of the internet, I can’t help but ask myself whether we are still humans or just cogs in a machine. To be human is to be able to exercise our faculties, such as intuition, decision-making, and memory.

We have already outsourced many of these faculties to technology. For instance, creativity and critical thinking are delegated to AI when we ask it to write or generate images for us. Remembering birthdays has become the responsibility of platforms like Facebook, and decision-making is influenced by social media and shopping sites, which collect data on our behavior and create personalized user experiences that align with our preferences.

So, are we still humans actively using our faculties, or have we become reliant on technology, turning ourselves into more efficient cogs in the economic machine?

I just finished watching the K-drama series, “Celebrity,” a short series with only 12 episodes. The story revolves around the lives of social media influencers or e-celebrities and how power, pride, and jealousy can change and corrupt people.

What I like about the series is that it offers viewers a glimpse into the lives of influencers. While it may not be entirely accurate, it is not far from reality. I am not in a position to judge whether they live a happy or meaningful life, but one thing is for sure—they depict a life detached from reality. On a positive note, being an influencer requires a lot of planning, preparation, commitment, and hard work, especially for those who haven’t yet built a team to help them shoot and edit their videos.

As for the story and plot, it follows a basic revenge storyline but adds interest with its suspense and mystery theme. I won’t spoil it, so I’ll stop there.

Another commendable aspect is the portrayal of the significance of possessing unwavering moral integrity. This attribute allows individuals to stand firm in the face of difficult decisions, regardless of the challenges and potential outcomes. The protagonist, in particular, embodies a character reminiscent of a figure from a Dostoevsky novel, grappling with her conscience and inner conflicts.

However, beyond the story lies a scenario that we should be aware of: according to Statista, as of February 2023, “Internet users in the Philippines spent an average of 9.14 hours accessing the internet on various devices during the third quarter of 2022. Meanwhile, the daily average time spent on social media was 3.43 hours. Other activities of Filipino internet users include watching television and listening to music streaming services.” This substantial amount of time undoubtedly has an impact on consumers both mentally and emotionally.

There are two things to be cautious of: the content and the algorithm. Content, such as photos and videos that flood social media, is designed to entertain and keep you occupied for long hours but often lacks productive or meaningful value. Once you get caught up in this vortex, you lose track of time, finding yourself hypnotized for hours. You acquire nonsensical information that affects you subconsciously. You see the lives of rich and famous influencers, showcasing their belongings, trips, and food, and before you know it, you’re wondering why life seems unfair and why you don’t have that kind of lifestyle. Jealousy and bitterness can creep in, leading to constant comparisons with others. However, for those who find inspiration and aspire to uplift themselves, the effect can be positive. The key question is how to avoid negative impacts.

The algorithm, which is the program of a social media app that captures your behavior, turns it into data, and uses that information to provide content that appeals to you or validates your beliefs, may seem harmless, but it is not. By catering only to our desires, it validates and amplifies our biases, contributing to a polarized society. Additionally, algorithms influence the choices we make. Do we truly have freedom when we ask Google where we should eat lunch? We rely on Google, but the choices presented to us have been pre-determined by its algorithm. The scariest part is that we don’t know who determines the algorithm and its objectives.

However, it’s not all doom and despair. Algorithms also have their positive aspects. They have helped us solve many problems. Traffic apps aid in planning our day better, accurate weather predictions keep us safe, and algorithms simplify certain areas of our lives, such as identifying spam messages and assisting doctors in making better decisions.

The story of the Trojan Horse offers us a compelling analogy. Odysseus devised a plan to infiltrate the fortified city of Troy. They constructed a wooden horse that carried a select group of soldiers within its belly. The horse was left outside the gates of Troy as a seemingly innocent gift. The Trojans, unaware of its contents, brought the horse inside the gate. The rest, as they say, is history. The horse represents the content that appears innocent and appealing. As for the success of the horse, Odysseus devised a cunning plan, akin to an algorithm, to achieve a specific objective by taking advantage of the behavior and psychology of the Trojans.

This leads me to ask: how welcome is the Trojan Horse in your life?

It’s romantic to call innovation an act of rebellion against established systems but it’s not.

Innovation is an act of pure giving, an act that puts others ahead of themselves this is because innovation is not about breaking a system but rather ensuring everyone is recognized and be able to participate in society efficiently. And it takes being other-centered to see the needs of others.

Low cost housing, Ford’s production system are examples of how innovation works for the benefit of the people.