"So, will new, small online media operators in Europe be able to displace the large social network operators?" Yes, obviously, as I was saying, it is possible, in certain niches, for these networks to survive, but obviously they will never be able to compete with the large social media platforms.

Thank you for your detailed and thoughtful response. I truly appreciate your openness and the vision you're working toward. It’s inspiring to see a real attempt at building something different something aligned with values beyond profit.

Indeed, there are always exceptions and positive examples, especially in places like the Nordic countries or Bhutan, where quality of life is measured by broader well-being metrics rather than just GDP. I also admire the volunteer culture in Austria and Bavaria, which speaks to a strong foundation of community and civic engagement. These examples are a testament to the fact that not everything is driven by money at least, not everywhere.

That said, we must also acknowledge the broader reality: not everyone in the world enjoys the financial standards of Austria or Northern Europe. The majority of the global population still struggles with poverty many live in precarious conditions, sometimes even facing hunger and a lack of basic resources. For people who are still fighting for survival, it's understandably much harder to reach higher levels of consciousness or self-actualization. In such circumstances, money is not just a motivator it becomes the only perceived way out of their situation, the one visible hope for a better life. And because of this, they are naturally drawn toward anything that promises even a glimpse of financial gain or stability.

Large tech corporations are acutely aware of this, and they’ve built their platforms accordingly. Many go beyond simply capturing attention they actively reward users for staying engaged. Platforms like TikTok or YouTube essentially transform users into workers. Content creators are paid to produce engaging material that keeps others glued to the platform. This gamified monetization creates a cycle of dependency users aren’t just entertained, they’re employed by the platform’s economy of attention, often with the hope of “making it big” or at least making ends meet.

This strategy, while efficient from a business standpoint, further deepens user retention and creates a major barrier for any new, non-commercial social platform trying to offer something different especially if that offering is centered around collaboration, co-creation, or shared values rather than immediate material reward.

We must also consider that most people, globally, still operate at the lower levels of Maslow’s hierarchy. They’re not searching for self-actualization they’re seeking safety, security, and belonging. And social media platforms give them just that, often mixed with validation, visibility, and sometimes even income. It’s a powerful combination.

That’s not to say change isn’t possible. But such a change would require a cultural shift, a redefinition of what “value” means in the digital space. While I don’t believe that shift will happen at scale in this generation, your work and the values you promote might very well be laying the groundwork for it. I respect that deeply.

These “socialist” or community-driven models might seem idyllic in the context of today’s hypercapitalist systems, but perhaps they are the seeds of tomorrow’s reality. Until then, the path is certainly uphill but no less worthy.

For humanity to evolve spiritually and reach the higher levels of Maslow's hierarchy, it must first resolve its basic issues especially poverty. Only when people are no longer constantly constrained by the harsh realities of survival will they have the time, freedom, and mental space to reflect on deeper values, personal growth, and spiritual fulfillment.

A real opportunity for this kind of transformation might come with the development of artificial intelligence. If robots are able to produce essential goods and cover the basic needs of the population, people will no longer be forced to work just to survive. In that case, money would cease to be the ultimate goal, and humans would begin to seek meaning in other ways through knowledge, exploration, art, culture, and volunteerism, etc.

We might even see a shift in the global economic system, where work becomes something people do out of passion, not necessity. That would truly mark the beginning of an era of NGOs and meaningful human collaboration. But for that to happen, every citizen would need to be guaranteed a basic income a citizen’s income that ensures a decent living simply because they are human.

Once this becomes reality, people will be free to pursue education, travel, culture, and community involvement. The world could change dramatically for the better. However, this vision still depends on how things will unfold globally in the coming years.

The challenge is that powerful actors still exist who are invested in maintaining control. They benefit from staying at the top of the pyramid while the masses struggle at the bottom and follow orders. This is why, despite having the tools and potential to build a better future, it’s unlikely that such a profound transformation will happen at scale in our current generation.