Human live is its own purpose. http://amzn.to/2iuS4FV
Book: Who owns the future
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Human life as its own purpose
In Who Owns the Future?, Jaron Lanier states a principle that sounds simple yet carries weight. Human life is its own purpose. People are not tools for efficiency, data for algorithms or inputs for an economic machine. Their value does not depend on how useful they are.
This idea echoes Immanuel Kant, who argued that people should always be treated as ends in themselves, never merely as means. In a digital economy that measures everything, that reminder matters. Users become metrics, workers become costs and attention becomes a product.
Remembering that each life has its own purpose
In business, this principle shapes decisions. Treating customers as people rather than conversion rates leads to better service and trust. Similarly, treating employees as humans, not only resources, improves loyalty and creativity.
For example, a company might design products that respect user time instead of maximising engagement at any cost. That choice may reduce short-term metrics, yet it builds long-term relationships.
On a personal level, the idea brings relief. Your worth does not depend on productivity. Rest, play and relationships are not wasted time. Therefore, a day without measurable output can still be a good day.
Moreover, recognising others’ intrinsic value encourages kindness. People who feel valued for who they are, not only for what they do, tend to flourish.
Technology can support this principle when designed with care. The question is always whether a tool serves people or uses them.
In the end, Lanier reminds us of something easy to forget. Life does not need to justify itself through output. It is valuable simply because it is.
In addition, this principle can guide leadership. Leaders who see people as ends in themselves listen more, explain decisions and invest in growth. As a result, teams feel respected, and respect usually translates into commitment. Therefore, a humane view of people is not only ethical but also practical.
