· 11 min read
Here’s a revised version with a humorous, sarcastic, and professional tone:
"Ah, the notion of an all-inclusive utopian world – sounds like blissful dream, doesn't it? A perfectly harmonious existence where everyone’s equal, holding hands and humming Kumbaya.... until, of course, human nature decides to kick in with the age-old ‘I’m better than you’ syndrome.
A quintessentially human and charming little trait that refuses to retire.
Nothing showcases this phenomenon quite like the eternal torment of business travellers, grappling with a problem so laughable and painfully trivial, it’s hard to believe it still exists; yet here we are, living the nightmare and battling it out over it like it’s the last avocado toast in the boardroom."
So, what are then talking about i hear you ask!
It is non other than our Electrical Plug/Socket, of course!
So, without further ado, let's jump into our divided world, manifested by a plethora of electrical sockets to reflect on where it all went wrong and how we might dig ourselves out of the hole, shall we?
So, let call this the Socket Conundrum and how it paints a bleak picture of mankind's unification, or rather, lack there of.
The world, in all its supposed wisdom and progress, boasts 15 different types of electrical sockets.
Fifteen!
Yes; Not Three; Not Five; but a glorious buffet of incompatible prongs that prevent your phone charger from working wherever you land, and that is before we delved into 220V to 110V, and for our own sanity, we shall table that for another day.
Now, back to the plugs!
This seemingly trivial fact might be the perfect metaphor and insight into why it might be impossible for humanity to Unite as One Species!
If we can’t even agree on something as basic as how to plug in a lamp, how can we possibly dream of uniting over issues like climate change, world peace, or even global trade?
In a meaningful manner that is!
While the world clings to grandiose speeches about Unity, Co-operation, and DEI; the truth is, we’re more divided than ever, and the socket is the least of our problems.
A world plugged with incompatibility
Let’s face it, having 15 different electrical sockets is Peak Human Absurdity; wouldn’t you say?
Instead of standardising something as mundane as the way we power our gadgets, we’ve opted for chaos.
Each country clings to its own version of the plug like it’s the last Bastion of Sovereignty.
It’s as if every nation looked at their neighbour and said, “We see your plug, and we raise you three prongs and an odd-shaped earth pin.”
The real issue of course isn’t the plug itself.
The problem lies in what this says about our broader inability to agree on global standards for anything, for the most part. We’re so wrapped up in our own little silos of power that even something as mundane as a socket becomes a matter of national pride, driven by ego?, and a stubborn refusal to conform.
And indeed, this incompatibility comes at a hefty price.
The wastage of resources: The socket scandal
Consider the sheer waste involved in maintaining 15 different socket systems. Each requiring specific designs, separate production lines, and tailored materials. Think of the endless factories across the globe producing slightly different versions of the same thing; millions of tons of metal, plastic, and precious minerals extracted from the earth, just so that, and get this, your phone charger works in one country, but not in another.
How brilliant is this?
And, all this for what? Preserving our precious National Identity & Standard?
This pointless diversity in socket types extends far beyond the plug.
It’s symbolic of a much larger problem in the modern world: wasting resources on creating multiple versions of the same thing, driven not by necessity, but by greed, megalomania, and an obsession with protecting national and corporate egos.
Just think about how many versions of the iPhone exist, each slightly different depending on which region it’s sold in.
Or how car manufacturers produce region-specific models that are essentially the same vehicle but with small, often unnecessary modifications to satisfy local regulations or marketing whims.
This isn’t innovation! No; in fact it’s not even in the same universe!
it’s sheer wastage, driven by greed and the desire to maintain control over different markets.
Each of these versions requires separate supply chains, different raw materials, and naturally, a new batch of engineers to figure out how to make it all work.
And the cost? Who else, it's our planet. Not one we can easily replace despite the commendable and noble effort of one Elon Musk!
We’ve become so obsessed with making “custom” everything, of course I am not suggesting that curated development is bad – it certainly has its place in Human development, from cars to computers, that we’re bleeding the Earth dry just to keep up.
But, things like socket among others, I don’t see why we have to have a plethora of versions, do you?
The knock-on effects: From plugs to pollution
Now, think about the logistical nightmare created by these multiple versions.
We live in a world where shipping containers are constantly criss-crossing the globe, packed to the brim with region-specific products; each needing its own set of instructions, packaging, and, of course, adapters.
The carbon footprint of this needless complexity is staggering.
We’re burning fossil fuels, chopping down forests, and mining for rare metals; all to produce and transport slightly different versions of the same product.
It’s as if the world is stuck in some bizarre Rube Goldberg machine, where each unnecessary variation adds a layer of complexity, but no one can quite explain why we don’t just stop the madness.
As the saying goes, Too many cooks spoil the broth,” but in this case, it’s “too many plugs spoil the planet.”
The DEI delusion: plugged into corporate hypocrisy
Let’s pivot to corporate and governmental rhetoric; that grand stage where words like “Diversity,” “Equity,” and “Inclusion” are thrown around like confetti at a wedding, while the real show behind the curtain is nothing short of hypocritical.
Governments and corporations talk endlessly about unifying people, bridging divides, and building a sustainable future.
But here’s the kicker: if we can’t agree on something as trivial as the shape of a plug, what hope is there for global unity on real issues?
Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
The plug, in all its absurd variations, is a glaring symbol of how divided we truly are. While we preach about inclusivity and breaking down barriers, the simple fact that we can't even standardise a plug shows how far we are from achieving real unity.
Actions Speak Louder than Words; they say, but all I see is corporate hypocrisy hidden behind shiny DEI slogans.
In the end, the Truth is Clear: we’re all just plugged into different outlets, pretending we’re connected.
Megalomania and Greed: The socket force
Why, you might ask, do we insist on creating so many different versions of the same thing?
The answer might be much more simpler than we think: Greed and Megalomania?
Every country, every corporation, and every CEO wants to be the big fish in their own little pond.
So, they push for their version of a product, their “unique” standards, and their “distinctive” features, all while claiming it’s for the good of the customer.
In reality, it’s just a way to control markets, exploit resources, and milk consumers dry while our planet pays for it, somewhat irreparable damages too.
Take, for instance, the smartphone industry. Why does each region get a slightly different version of the same phone?
Why do we need three different charging cables for devices that essentially perform the same tasks? It’s certainly not for the customer’s benefit. It’s so that companies can exert more control, make more money, and ensure that they keep you coming back for their version of the same product.
It’s the same with the car industry. Instead of standardising features, safety protocols, or even fuel types, every car manufacturer insists on creating their own “unique” selling points!
Different versions of the same basic machine. Each one requires different manufacturing processes, different supply chains, and of course, more resources.
The result? An industry that wastes billions of dollars and destroys untold acres of the planet, all in the name of progress and customer satisfaction, or simply corporate ego?
Dystopian future?: When the plug won’t fit
At this point, it’s clear that humanity is running around with 15 incompatible plugs, convinced we’re somehow making progress.
But the truth is, we’re just digging our own grave, one wasted resource at a time.
Every new version of a product, every slight variation, adds another layer of complexity and inefficiency to the world, making it harder for us to ever come together on the real issues.
Whether it’s climate change, world hunger, or global peace, the same obstacles remain: ego, greed, and the refusal to unify.
As the idiom goes, “You can’t fit a square peg into a round hole,” and in the case of humanity, we’re trying to jam 15 different plugs into one socket and hoping for a miracle.
So, what are we left with?
15 Sockets
• A metaphor for the divisions that plague humanity.
Wasted Resources
• Creating multiple versions of the same product drains the planet’s resources, driven by corporate greed and national ego.
DEI Fallacy
• Governments and corporations preach unity while failing to standardise even the most basic of things.
Corporate Megalomania
• The desire to dominate markets and maintain control fuels the creation of multiple versions of the same product, leading to inefficiency and waste.
The future
• Humanity’s refusal to unify, even on something as trivial as plugs, is a harbinger of our inevitable downfall.
A Humorous Reflection?
Now that we’ve divided the plug, why hasn't the world united yet?
Questions worth asking?
Governments:
- How can you preach unity and cooperation on global issues while allowing nationalistic pride to dictate the simplest standards, such as electrical sockets?
- In what ways are you addressing the absurdity of maintaining diverse socket types, and how do you justify the environmental impact of this inefficiency to your constituents?
- What concrete steps are you taking to standardise regulations and standards that could simplify global trade and reduce resource wastage, beyond merely discussing the need for change?
- How can you expect to lead international efforts on climate change and sustainability when your policies still allow for the preservation of outdated national standards that contribute to resource depletion?
- What mechanisms are in place to hold corporations accountable for perpetuating division through incompatible products, and how do you plan to enforce change in their practices?
For corporations:
- How does producing multiple versions of the same product align with your stated commitment to sustainability, and what steps are you taking to reduce this waste?
- In your quest for market dominance, how do you reconcile the environmental and societal costs of your ‘unique’ products with the principles of corporate responsibility?
- What is your strategy for addressing the hypocrisy of promoting diversity and inclusion while simultaneously perpetuating divisions through incompatible technologies?
- How do you justify the creation of region-specific versions of products when the added complexity not only confuses consumers but also contributes to a larger environmental crisis?
- What innovative approaches are you considering to standardise your product lines to reduce resource consumption and simplify consumer choices, while still maintaining competitive advantages?
Final Thought
The endless pursuit of control leads only to failure and implosion.
In the end, if we can’t even agree on a universal plug, what hope is there for global unity?
Our doomed future is wired into the wall, and the socket just doesn’t fit.
Surely, we can do better than this, can’t we?
Let's get 1; yes, just One Socket before we utter Global Unification, shall we?
illuminem Voices is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Sustainability & Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.
