As I was making a batch of pancakes today, I stopped to think about the underlying processes and logistics that made these breakfasts possible. Some weeks prior I had stopped at a local supermarket to pick up some Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix, and within 15 minutes I already had some fresh pancakes on my plate. The brands, labels, and logos that existed all around me: “Morrisons”, “Whirlpool”, “BLACK+DECKER”, were a stark reminder of the western capitalistic life, so far removed from the frugal lives of our ancestors millions, even just thousands of years ago. It was a convoluted yet first-world, sustainable lifestyle that evolved over the course of centuries.

These mighty systems, now so integrated into our lives, could have only sprouted from the unconscious collective human effort. These systems serve as technological and societal landmarks in the grand scale of civilized humanity, from the advent of agriculture to the invention of the telegraph. Most, if not all of these vital hallmarks of society have a role to play in the unification of the human race. With this definition the internet would be the “greatest invention” to man, with it providing communication from across the globe in the manner of milliseconds. Humanity is unified like never before.

With unity comes a side effect however — the weaning of the sense of individuality. The concept of identity and collectivism becomes prominent. Identity to one’s country, identity to one’s ethnicity, identity to one’s economic class, identity to one’s ideology, identity to one’s social circle. Identity brings about monotony to the human race, and establishes a subconscious guideline to be the person you’re supposed to be, as a member of that group. With longer, greater human interaction comes the self classification of those within the social circle.

Though is collectivism a negative thing? At first thought it certainly would feel like so, however collectivism has been around since the dawn of humanity, and can motivate higher order, organized endeavors for the betterment of the community. Social norms can define moral standards, and can set the precedent for what’s right and wrong. The collaborative human effort is the collective determination and goals of people. Collective efforts are required to further humanity. It feeds back into itself. Greater human advancements fuel greater interaction, which in turn fuel the next great landmark of civilization.

Aggravated that I spent a minute coming up with pseudo-philosophical theories of society and humanity, I decided to finally eat the pancakes. It tasted fine, I guess.