There does seem to be quite a lot of animosity out there towards BigX, where BigX includes BigPharma, BigGovernment, BigTech, BigTobacco, BigSugar, BigInsurance, BigHealth, BigAuto, BigAg, BigDefense,…
All of these “BigXs” drift towards dehumanization and therefore require thoughtful scrutiny, skepticism, and targeted criticism, but I believe the undercurrent of animosity, often bordering on hatred, is misplaced.
I try to remember that most of these industries are mostly filled with people who mostly are trying to do their best.
Sure, all of these industries and organizations have aspects of them that are—at least partially—responsible for significant problems in our world.
But let’s be clear: the world has big problems, and many of these problems will require engagement with and big action by BigX.
Rephrased, it’s highly unlikely the cure for cancer, or the key to global warming, or the solution to nuclear weapons proliferation is going to be developed at my local French bakery or barbershop.
It’s much more likely that the successful solutions to these challenges are being worked on by good people in one of these BigX labs or cubicles right now—people who may be just days or weeks or months away from a solution that can radically change the world.
So, I will keep my skepticism and criticism targeted towards aspects of these companies and other organizations, but for the most part, the people who work for these companies don’t deserve my animosity.