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.

The trend in the past few decades, not just in education, is to break things apart and become an expert in a specific field. This idea has led to the emergence of numerous experts with specializations. When it comes to education, particularly in entrepreneurship, one must excel at identifying and driving innovation. As a result, there are now hundreds of frameworks available on innovation, including the Lean Startup, Business Model Canvas, and Design Thinking, to name a few. These methods have generated countless innovative ideas, ranging from new products to branding. However, innovative ideas cannot thrive on their own. Innovation requires an environment with a support system that starts at the grassroots level.

Nobel Prize winner Edmund Phelps introduced the term “Dynamism” to describe his perspective. According to Phelps, the high level of innovation in the Western world is not solely the result of scientific discoveries combined with entrepreneurship, as believed by Schumpeter. Instead, it is primarily driven by modern values such as individualism, vitalism, and self-expression at the grassroots level. In addition to these values, there must also be problems to solve, as well as support from the government and financial institutions. This comprehensive system is what creates dynamism.

Looking at our country, we see that many people are engaged in business but may not necessarily be entrepreneurial. However, this is not a problem, as a business can become entrepreneurial once the founder applies the principles of innovation. The actual problem lies in the lack of avenues for growth due to an underdeveloped ecosystem. Many people in business are more focused on survival rather than solving market problems. There are also few financial institutions willing to take risks on startups, and business ideation tends to involve copying successful businesses rather than addressing market needs.

Dynamism should not be viewed as a chicken or egg problem with no clear starting point. Efforts to drive dynamism should begin with government initiatives. A prime example is South Korea, which successfully created a global market for its entertainment industry through government lending and substantial investments.

Innovation, and the study thereof, cannot exist in isolation. For it to grow and flourish, it requires an environment that supports it.

Entrepreneurs are unique, but what makes entrepreneurs distinct from others? Answering this question will help us understand the nature of entrepreneurs. It can also help us learn why starting is second nature to them.

There are different types of entrepreneurs, just like there are different types of doctors, lawyers, and teachers, but each profession has its own unique character. For the entrepreneur there are 6 areas:

The entrepreneur is creative. They have the ability to connect unrelated ideas to form one great idea. This capacity allows them to do things differently and see things from a different light. The creative capacity comes from the nature of the discipline: free to think and play with ideas, allowing them to be creative. It is the only discipline not bound by rules, procedures, and systems.

The entrepreneur is a problem solver. Entrepreneurs will always have a solution to a problem and often the solution is innovative. The capacity to solve problems allows them to pioneer an industry and be ahead of others.

The entrepreneur has strong faith. They have the capacity to move without seeing the road ahead clearly. It is the self-confidence, optimism, and strong belief in their idea that allows them to take risks. This ability is what makes them a cult-like figure because not many can envision and take action.

Other-centered. The entrepreneur finds inspiration solving the problems of others rather than just trying to fulfill their own needs. Being other-centered allows them to uncover and discover unserved and underserved markets.

Action-oriented. Entrepreneurs take action and that is what they really are, they start and act upon something. Even the origin of the word entrepreneur comes from the French word entreprende which means to undertake.

Capacity to profit from innovative ways. At the end of the day, the entrepreneur is a businessman who needs to sustain the business and his family and the entrepreneur is one who is capable in creating wealth from innovative ways.

These 6 domains are always, present. There maybe more in the future, but certainly cannot be less than 6.