How the ’60s Spirit is Being Reimagined in the AI Age

The Influence of Technology: Marcuse’s Critique

Herbert Marcuse’s influential work, One-Dimensional Man, delves into a powerful critique of advanced industrial societies. His focus lies on the role of technology, consumerism, and media in shaping public consciousness. Marcuse argues that these forces create “false needs” and standardize thought, leading to intellectual conformity and eroding individualism. Published in the 1960s, Marcuse’s ideas have sparked both acclaim and controversy. While some associate his thesis with socialist perspectives, it undeniably offers a framework for analyzing the societal impacts of technological advancements.