Why Society Celebrates Isolation in the Age of Control
In the West, autonomy is exalted as the apex of human existence. From the glorification of the solopreneur to the myth of the self-made individual, society weaves a narrative of independence that promises freedom but delivers control.
Why? Because a solitary individual is easier to manipulate than a collective bound by shared purpose.
Consider the solopreneur—a modern archetype presented as a trailblazer, someone who thrives alone, untethered from the constraints of teams or organizations. They are sold as paragons of liberty, their successes attributed solely to their grit and intelligence. Yet this story omits a darker truth: isolation strips away the power of collective resistance. When you are alone, your only ally is the system that isolates you. And that system will not hesitate to exploit your vulnerability.
Historically, humans thrived in packs. From hunter-gatherer clans to revolutionary movements, it has always been the unity of the group that allowed the individual to survive and flourish. The social bonds forged in shared purpose provided strength against threats—be they physical or ideological. But in today’s world, the structures that once facilitated cooperation have been dismantled, replaced by institutions that promote fragmentation. Corporations thrive when workers compete rather than collaborate. Governments rule more easily when citizens are divided by fear or ideology.
But the truly successful—the power brokers, the shadow players—know better. They do not operate as lone wolves but as parts of well-oiled machines: elite clubs, covert alliances, unspoken networks of influence. They understand that power is not in independence but interdependence, the intricate web of mutual advantage. To succeed, you do not escape the pack; you create or join one that serves your purpose.
The irony is glaring. While the masses are sold on rugged individualism, the architects of the system rely on collective strength. They attend private forums, trade secrets in quiet corners of exclusive clubs, and pool resources to shape the world to their will. What does the solopreneur have in comparison? A vision board and crippling anxiety.
And so, the question emerges: Why do we buy into this illusion? Is it because the alternative—acknowledging our reliance on others—is too humbling? Or because the comfort of self-reliance makes us blind to the ways we’re being controlled?
Perhaps the ultimate power lies not in isolation but in choosing the right collective. True autonomy may not be the absence of others but the presence of those who amplify your strength. The pack, after all, is not the enemy. It is the tool that those who control the system wield to their advantage. Maybe the real question is not how to stand alone but how to find—or build—the pack that stands with you.