John sat back in his chair, a look of frustration on his face as he considered how the financial system and banks contributed to the growing divide in society. 

He accepted that they provided important services like credit cards and loans, but he couldn’t help but notice how frequently these locked customers into debt cycles and extracted heavy fees in the process.

“Banks may be regulated, but the loan and brokerage sides…” John remembered what he’d read and complained to himself.

Regarding loans and brokerages, there appeared to be gaps in the regulations. Financial data seemed to show that anything may happen without due diligence.

His mind grew scary as he recalled the financial disaster of 2008. It troubled him, the incredible $600 trillion in swaps spinning before the crisis. 

Futures are linked financial instruments played a significant part in the crisis, much like mortgages. 

Banks created uncertainty that few understood by bundling mortgages into intricate derivatives. The fallout destroyed businesses and families.

“And it’s back to $600 trillion today,” John said in shock. The scale was incomprehensible.

His thoughts went back to the here and now as he shook his head. With a tone that suggested rage, he said, “These are the ones that are feeding real estate predators and charging consumers 30% interest on credit cards.” 

It infuriated him that businesses would purchase houses to rent out since it was exploitation and control rather than merely a matter of profit.

John let out a deep breath, feeling both helpless and determined. Although he was aware that he couldn’t change the system on his own, he also couldn’t do nothing. 

The narratives he perused and the persons he observed sparked a will within him to challenge the injustices committed by influential financial entities.

John made a commitment to learning more, educating himself and others, and maybe one day bringing about a change that would benefit everyone, not just a select few, as he gazed out the window. 

Even if the road ahead seemed difficult, John was unable to ignore the financial realities he had learned. It was time to take action, however form it took.

High Tech

He was profoundly affected by the way that tech giants like Google dominated daily life. As he processed the data, it became clear to him that Google was much more than just an email service or search engine; it had extraordinary power over what people saw, heard, and bought.

Similar to the observations in the paper, John whispered to himself, “It’s insidious because it’s seemingly free.” 

Google’s services were not gifts; rather, they were exchanges in which users turned into commodities. Google collected, examined, and profited from their data in order to increase its revenue.

He focused on how Google dominates search, controlling up to 95% of the market in some niches. 

Microsoft and other rivals found it difficult to compete, particularly in the mobile space, where Google had almost complete control. Google had complete control over search results, deciding what millions of people saw and didn’t.

John panicked remembering stories of companies completely destroyed by changes to Google’s algorithms over night.

John said to himself, “HCUs—Helpful Content Updates,” remembering Paulo Jose’s evaluation. 

These modifications prioritized sponsored material over anticipated organic results and customized search results according to user profiles.

“It goes beyond simple searching,” John whispered, growing increasingly irritated. Google’s influence reached email with Gmail, video with YouTube, and even cloud computing and artificial intelligence. 

The company’s development into a variety of industries seemed persistent, and it was accused of purchasing and suppressing smaller competitors.

John moved forward, worry creased across his face. The effects were serious; Google’s power went beyond simple economics and harmed democratic values. 

The enormous profits made by internet giants like Google and Facebook surpassed those  of established businesses, taking money away from more pressing social issues.

“There’s more to this than just business,” John said, feeling a sense of urgency in his voice. Beyond just endangering market competition, the concentration of power in the hands of a tiny number of tech giants, such as Google, also put economic justice and core democratic values under risk.

John decided to look into these topics more as he ended the article. 

In addition to protecting privacy and promoting fair play, the fight against the excessive power of tech companies was about assuring a future in which economic justice and democracy would flourish for everyone, not just a select few.

The Government

A wave of anger and disappointment washed over John as he took in the harsh assessment of the political system. 

The piece he read included plenty of words; it painted a picture of a society in which corporations controlled every arm of government, from the Supreme Court to Congress.

John repeated sharply, “Handmaidens of the corporations,” the title of the article. 

It was deeply felt that judges and elected officials put corporate interests ahead of the general welfare. He was well aware that expectations around political contributions frequently influenced lawmakers’ decisions to favor contributors over voters.

“The Supreme Court…” John fell asleep, his thoughts wandering to the formerly esteemed organization that was now being influenced by a small group of religious followers. 

The way six Catholic justices who have previously opposed women’s reproductive rights appeared in the article raised major worries about the Court’s objectivity in important cases.

“This just isn’t right,” John said, shaking his head. He was an avid supporter of the separation of church and state and said that the Supreme Court and other secular institutions should enforce equality and justice according to the law rather than uphold the beliefs of minority religions.

John’s first amazement gave way to a determined resolve as he read on. The article’s systematic weaknesses highlighted the pressing need for reform. 

He could not deny that, with institutions built to defend democracy falling to corporate power and prejudice based on faith, democracy itself was in danger.

“This needs to change,” John said out loud, his voice resolute and clear. Even though he was aware that he couldn’t change the system on his own, he pledged to do his share by remaining informed, speaking up, and restoring a sense of justice and honesty in the political system.

Feeling a burden of obligation, John concluded the essay with a newfound sense of purpose. 

He acknowledged that the struggle for a more just and accountable democracy was difficult but necessary for both his generation and the next.

Reflections on the future

Neo-feudalism and its enormous influence on contemporary society that were presented in the article. 

The parallel to feudal times struck a deep chord because, unlike those who were bound to the land, people today were stuck in a never-ending cycle of debt, surrendering their futures in order to survive.

John muttered, “Real wages have been stagnant since the 1970s,” lamenting the fact that economic expansion had not produced appreciable advantages for the majority of people. 

With housing costs growing, the traditional aim of owning a home—once a symbol of middle-class security—seemed increasingly unattainable.

He considered the growing disparity in income and how it seemed to benefit a select few while the middle class suffered. 

“When everything is rented, nothing is owned,” John said startled by the deep truth in those remarks, he repeated them to himself.

He came to the realization that retirement might not provide the stability of owning a property free of a mortgage, but might instead prolong a cycle of dependency on rental income.

John pondered aloud, “History repeats itself.” He thought back to earlier eras when civilizations rebelled against onerous debt loads and occasionally found respite through debt jubilees that permitted rebirth and recovery the political division described in the essay, where liberals support freedom and a variety of objectives while conservatives seek security through authoritarianism.

“Self-determination, immigrant rights, LGBTQ rights…” John let out a sigh as he realized how many worthwhile causes are frequently disputed in a divisive political environment. 

The difficulties of dealing with these problems consumed much of his thoughts.

John decided to stay informed and involved as he closed the article. Fighting neo-feudalism and its negative effects on society required group effort and a steadfast dedication to justice and fairness. 

He was aware that the road ahead would not be simple, but he also realized that perseverance and unity were necessary for real change.

John was moved when the movement to cancel student loans was brought up. 

Despite making significant educational investments, many of his peers were burdened with excessive debt. With the promise of stable, well-paying work having disappeared, many graduates were left feeling demoralized and under financial distress.

John mutely agreed, “Effective governance is crucial,” given that systemic inequalities must be addressed by the government. Still, he was unable to ignore