Modern physics tells us that matter and energy are fundamentally connected. From this scientific foundation, one can adopt a philosophical perspective in which matter may be viewed as "frozen energy"—energy temporarily taking physical form. In this essay, I use the concept of energy both in its physical sense and as a metaphor for human creativity, attention, resources, and opportunity.
Credits to Hans published on Pixabay
As different forms of energy interact, they eventually aggregate into what we call matter. This matter is found throughout our planet in the form of mountains, oceans, forests, plants, animals, and human beings. Everything we create, whether material objects or intangible concepts, also consists of patterns of frequencies that manifest themselves in these forms.
From one perspective, it could be said that all matter is frozen energy—temporarily or for very long periods. In nature, however, everything eventually breaks down and returns to a less complex form, until ultimately everything returns to its original state. These processes follow different timelines, and both formation and decomposition take varying amounts of time.
Annual plants have a short life cycle before they decompose into simpler components. The same can be said of many animals and insects, whose lives are brief from our perspective. Human beings, on average, live much longer before we die and begin the process of decomposition. Other forms of matter, such as mountain ranges, have lifespans spanning millions of years. Even they are constantly subjected to erosion, with parts of their surface gradually worn away and transformed into something new.
At the microscopic level, the building blocks of matter are continuously replaced by new ones. In a sense, there is an endless dance in which one set of building blocks is constantly exchanged for another. Everything moves in cycles. Taking the human body as an example, virtually all of our cells are replaced over a period of seven to ten years.
What does all this have to do with frozen energy?
Our planet provides a rich abundance of resources for all living beings. There is enough for everyone, provided each of us takes only what we truly need. Unfortunately, this is something we humans often struggle with.
Many of us accumulate far more possessions than we require, filling our homes with things, storing them in rented storage units, or eventually throwing them away. These excess possessions represent energy that has become frozen, as they no longer provide value to either their owner or the planet.
Money is another form of energy that, in most cases, circulates or flows throughout society. Saving some money to prepare for unexpected events, necessary purchases, or future investments is both sensible and responsible. When wealth is accumulated far beyond any practical need, and is used primarily to preserve or increase itself rather than contributing to productive activity or society, one could argue that economic energy becomes increasingly concentrated. Money that could have contributed to the broader economy.
Many people struggle simply to make ends meet. They cannot afford food, housing, or education for themselves or their children. Others possess extraordinary wealth yet have little desire to share it or to reduce their relentless pursuit of even greater riches.
Some politicians argue that the world needs more billionaires. They claim that entrepreneurs—implicitly billionaires—are the ones who create jobs and prosperity. Yet one might ask: who paid too much so that these individuals could earn so much?
Success should certainly be rewarded, but it should not be allowed to reach the level of imbalance we see today.
Has wealth been created through the exploitation of people and the environment, through honest work, or through cronyism and political connections? In far too many cases, the answer is yes.
Power shapes the flow of opportunities. Those who control institutions determine which ideas receive funding, whose voices are heard, and who gains access to education, capital, or influence. In this sense, power can either release or constrain the flow of human potential. Some paths are closed to the majority of people, while others are deliberately favored. Those making the decisions can grant themselves additional advantages, further depriving others of their energy and opportunities and puts restrains on the flow oof free will.
What can we do about this?
There are many actions each of us can begin taking today:
Stop buying unnecessary products
Buy locally produced food.
Protect animal and natures rights
Hold politicians accountable
Political quarantine
Express your concern
Use alternative social media platforms.
Protect your personal data
Stay
Conscious