We live in a world of undefined and unclear objectives, surrounded by an abundance of external influence factors. It does not help that our aspirations also constantly increase in complexity and diversity. Subject to a multichannel mix of signals, we are destined to fall prey to an undeclared external influence and internal psychological features if not equipped with our own purpose. It becomes critical to articulate personal goals when interacting with the environment.
And it is not necessarily that someone has evil intentions when participating in these currents of information; most of the time, we know too little about the system to steer it in some meaningful way. Technological companies, for example, rarely can interpret all algorithmic decisions made by their models. The problem is the lack of personal control over the influence spectrum. We have to understand the nature of interactions and align them with our intrinsic motivation. Platforms and institutions, on their part, have to implement instruments that would help people declare and update their objectives regularly. Only by making every interaction transparent in its intention and effect, can we efficiently follow the desired trajectory as individuals and as species.