Back to the future: primitivization, barbarization, or new scenarios of human development?

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the current digital stage of development from the viewpoint of the social structure and manifestations of an individual in it, as the latter has acquired a new form of identity – digital nomadism. Methods: dialectical and phenomenological methods using comparative analysis. The ideas of A. A. Dydrov and R. V. Penner, G. L. Tulchinsky, M. Shpitzer, and E. L. Yakovleva served as material for theoretical understanding of the problem. Results: the analysis made it possible to identify the features of primitivization and barbarization in the modern existence of society and the electronic nomad, which began to function in the coordinate system of the two worlds. Their modus appears to be digital. At the same time, primitivization is associated with the intellectual manifestations of the electronic nomad, and barbarization is associated with their actions in the virtual space. The intersection of elements of primitivization and barbarization leads to some immoral manifestations of the electronic nomad, who allow themselves indecent deeds in the digital environment. Trying to predict the future, the authors point to the best development option associated with the cooperation of electronic nomads and robots, and the worst one, determined by the introduction of implants into the human brain. The latter scenario will make the electronic nomad fully manageable, which will be beneficial for owners of corporations and digital platforms. But there is always hope to avoid the negative option. In the situation of the electronic nomad, their gradual adaptation to the digital environment and the launch of the rationalization process will allow them to follow an optimistic path of development. Scientific novelty: due to advances in science and technology, the digitalization process is ambiguous. Despite the high level of comfort of modern civilization, the features of primitivization and barbarization appear in the existence of the electronic nomad. The authors emphasize that these characteristics are temporary in nature, associated with the society transition to a new stage of development; hence, the electronic nomad will gradually learn to function competently, work and express themselves in the digital environment. But a different outcome is also possible. In the context of the development of brain modification technologies, the electronic nomad can be integrated into a new economy, which will not allow for their development and will lead to complete isolation from the meaningfulness, awareness and reflection inherent in a self-sufficient personality. Practical significance: consists in using the research results to further study the modern stage of civilizational development associated with digitalization and the features of a new type of personality – the electronic nomad, as well as in identifying risk zones in social and individual existence in order to block or minimize them.