Where’s the bloody screwdriver?

In 1956, IKEA employee Gillis Lundgren couldn’t fit a table into his Volvo.

So he unscrewed the legs. A simple act of necessity that became the foundation of the flat-pack empire.

That spark of human creativity.

Pardon the generalisation, but why do I feel that more and more folk wouldn’t reach for the screwdriver?

Are we becoming immune to thinking?

Don't worry, it's not a rant or another discussion on that new technology phenomenon. I need your help, I'm genuinely on the hunt for tools. Not the kind in government.

Here's the context:

I have a Howard Beale moment every single day. (“I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore.” - Network. 1976)

Many people I know cannot be debated on anything. Shutters on conversations are fully down. I assume people think they’re thinking, when clearly, they’re dodging it, outsourcing it. The more honest among us say it’s too hard, and others are excusing themselves because they’re too busy.

How many of us would ever unscrew the legs? (I now carry a concealed screwdriver at all times for mental protection.) I don’t blame the individuals, I'm one of them, and I’m looking for a way out. I find it hard to sit still and not try to do something.

The Root Cause?

We are all to some degree helpless, as the challenge is immense and systemic. Everywhere we look, society is screwed. (Both down and up). Every last system and principle that I trusted throughout my life is now frying my brain. I nearly said fucking.

Truth, politics, morality, media, economics, education, technology, law and order - I feel like I'm at war with all of them, and I'm determined to find the hacks. Not the journalists.

The system seems to be winning, and we can’t let that happen.

So, please, when was your last screwdriver moment? (Not the drink)