Beauty Will Save the Algorithm
I was once part of the excitement you will find in catholic and christian spaces regarding “beauty” and Dostoevsky’s quote, “beauty will save the world.” At the time, I saw the concept as a beacon of hope in a dark world. Now I realize that this quote in practice encourages a way of thinking that is akin to toxic positivity (Live. Laugh. Love.).
I have not lost my sense of wonder for the beauty in this world: the way light plays with water or dances through trees. The joy of children. The sense of calm that comes from being with animals.
I have lost my interest in the modern cult of productivity that aims to turn people into the automations of business. There is no reason for poverty to exist when we could create universal basic income and replace labor with the human urge to create art out of our lives: given enough money to live, most would take time to get more education, make art… enjoy life.
“Beauty” isn’t even a value neutral concept: it has been evoked to validate racism (white skin called more “pure” and therefore better), it perpetuates ableism by making us uncomfortable with neurodivergent displays, and the fact that there is an entire industry devoted to making you look different that is literally named “The Beauty Industry” doesn’t exactly evoke a sense of reverence for natural human existence.
This is a loaded word, but that doesn’t make beautiful things or moments “bad.” Again, I find that natural landscapes evoke immense feelings of awe and wonder when I experience their beauty. Connecting with another person and sharing a meaningful moment can be beautiful. Caring for an animal and watching them flourish is beautiful.
My issue is taking a group of artists and mythologizing the work that they do so that they will do it for pennies. My issue is when this slogan is used as an excuse for creating parodies of things that already exist, labeling them the catholic or christian version, and having a small group of people at the head of these christian businesses profiting from the idea that those versions are superior. My issue is when the concepts of “beauty” and “darkness” are so pathologized that there is nothing left but an anxiety of never measuring up. Never being hopeful enough. Never living in the moment enough. If beauty will save the world but you’re upset about something and don’t take the time to smell the roses, then that makes you a bad person right? If you’re struggling to make ends meet and afford nutritious and tasty food, the beautiful sunrise outside your window should be enough to sustain you, right? The answer to the systematic problems that exist in our world is not “you should feel bad.” Just 100 companies are responsible for 71% of global emissions. Beauty cannot reduce co2 emissions.
But that was never the goal anyway. The goal was never a more just and equitable world. The goal was never to make things better. The goal was never to address systemic abuses.
The goal was to encourage people to be happy with what they have, no matter how much or how little. Beauty was presented as something that is equally available to everyone. But the single mom struggling to make ends meet does not have the same access to restful contemplation as the college student from a wealthy family who doesn’t have to pay tuition or work a college job.
I don’t want to be a killjoy or destroy the meaning that people have found in the expression, “beauty will save the world.” I want to say a heartfelt yes to creative enthusiasm, to appreciation for the beautiful moments happening all around us, to natural beauty and wonder. I want to experience all of those things, and I want other people to be able to as well. And I know those experiences will not come from institutions or business. We deserve more than toxic positivity rebranded as “beauty will save the world.”
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