How the rise of emojis, bitmojis and other forms of visual shorthand could usher in the next stage of human evolution.
Could words be slowing down Human Evolution?
Let’s explore it like this:
We just purchased a brand new computer. This computer has the greatest hardware specs on the market.
- Quantum processing
- Unfathomable memory and storage space
- Top of the line graphical display capabilities
- Brand new everything.
We take this new computer and install an old operating system from 1995 to run it. It’s obvious that this operating system cannot maximize the power and potential of this machine, right?
Well, what if words are like the old operating system for our supercomputer like Human potential?
Words exist to communicate concepts. Concepts that our human body (like a computer program) use to process and perform functions to their full potential.
When we read a poem or hear a song, and are emotionally moved, It’s not because of the words. It’s the concept that those words communicated that lead to the emotion experience.
Consider these simple words and think about the concepts that follow:
- Can’t
- Impossible
- Never
- Try
- Ownership
- You
- Me
- I
These are just simple words, but when you consider their concepts and application, you start to see how they can influence a lot: Beliefs, actions, behaviors, relationships and more.
Now, what if those words didn’t exist in our language?
Or to take it another step further: What if those concepts did not exist in our experience as humans?
What if we had no human concept of “Try”, or “You”, or “Me” or “Ownership”?
The next stage of human evolution may begin with re-thinking how we use and implement words. Which will naturally effects the concepts that we operate under.
With the raise in popularity of Emoji’s and Bitmoji’s, it seems like we are finding less and less need for the written word, in favor of more impactful visual shorthand.
Maybe the Egyptians and other ancient cultures used hieroglyphics because they were actually a more efficient way transfer concepts.
Do you think words are becoming obsolete? Let me know what you think in the comments below.
To growth and exploration
❤️ Rufus
PS – Here’s an interesting listen on the topic of a wordless world from Radio lab
