Peace Symbolism: Icons and Iconography Post 19th Century (Part 2)

TRANSCEND MEMBERS, 19 May 2025

Prof Hoosen Vawda – TRANSCEND Media Service

This publication is suitable for general readership. Parental guidance is recommended for minors, who may use this publication as a project, resource.

 Introduction

10 May 2025 – As stated in Part 1 of the series on Peace Symbolism, in the 21^st century, the term icons[i] conjure up images of computer software or branding for the younger generation, unlike in the medieval era, icons were associated with religious entities, popularized in the Byzantine Empire in 330 CE under the first Christian, Roman Emperor Constantine the Great.[ii]

This publication, the second part, in a two-part series, highlights the modern day Icons[iii] and their aims to attach and enhance the financial gains as well as the monetary value of some individual, such as an F1 driver, or fashion model, or a professional league scoccer player, not for reasons of adding value to the community but to add to the coffers of the organization or company the modern icon represents, such as the famous three star Daimler vehicular products.

1. Defining Secular and Non-Religious Icons[iv]

Secular icons are individuals, symbols, or movements that influence society independent of religious frameworks. They may represent a diverse range of humans,  entities like The Palm Island in UAE, items, like the mobile phone devices, organizations such as Red Crescent and Red Cross, medication such as the discovery of anti TB drug, streptomycin.  All these have earned the classification as been ICONIC.  These icons may be categorized as follows:

• Philosophy and Reason (e.g., Socrates, Voltaire, Johan Galtung, Antonio Carlos Silva Rosa.)
• Science and Innovation (e.g., Galileo, Marie Curie, the inventor of x-rays as a diagnostic media in clinical medicine)
• Political Social Movements (e.g., Gandhi, Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation)[v]
• Art & Culture (e.g., Da Vinci, Shakespeare, Ian Fleming, Pavarotti)
• Commercial and Pop Culture (e.g., Bill Gates, Freddy Mercury)

1. Antiquity to Enlightenment: Early Secular Influences

1. Ancient Greece & Rome
   • Socrates (470–399 BCE)[vi] – Championed critical thinking over divine dogma.
   • Aristotle (384–322 BCE) [vii]– Founded empirical observation (secular science).
   • Marcus Aurelius (121–180 CE)[viii] – Stoic philosopher-king, emphasized ethics over religion.
2. Renaissance and Enlightenment
   • Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)[ix] – Merged art and science (e.g., Vitruvian Man).
   • Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527)[x] – Wrote The Prince, secularizing political theory.
   • Voltaire (1694–1778)[xi] – Advocated secularism, free speech, and separation of church from the state.

III. The Age of Reason and Scientific Revolution[xii]

1. Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) [xiii]– Defied religious dogma with heliocentrism.
2. Isaac Newton (1643–1727) [xiv]– Formulated laws of motion (science over scripture).
3. Charles Darwin (1809–1882) [xv]– Origin of Species challenged creationist views, based on the Abrahamic holy scriptures.
4. Discovery of Insulin [xvi]for the treatment of Diabetes, which obviated high mortality and morbidity rates. This was a true ICON. Insulin, a true game-changer in medicine! Its discovery in 1921 was nothing short of revolutionary. A team of researchers, including Frederick Banting, Charles Best, John Macleod, and James Collip, successfully isolated insulin at the University of Toronto. Before this, a diabetes diagnosis, especially Type 1,was often a death sentence. The impact, it saved millions of lives and turned diabetes from a fatal condition into a manageable one. Overnight, insulin gave patients the ability to regulate their blood sugar levels, allowing them to lead full, active lives. Beyond its medical significance, the discovery also paved the way for advancements in hormone research and biotechnology. Think of it as a beacon of hope, proving how scientific breakthroughs can transform communities and redefine human health!
5. The discovery of anti-cancer drugs [xvii]and anti-HIV medication.[xviii] Currently, these are the new icons in the medical field.

1. Political & Social Secular Icons

1. Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) [xix]– Used non-violence: Ahimsa, (not religion) for India’s freedom, from severe imperialism and oppression of the occupied lands of the Peoples of Indian Origins (PIO’s)

1. Karl Marx (1818–1883) [xx]– Advocated atheistic socialism (Religion is the opium of the people).
2. Nelson Mandela (1918–2013)[xxi] – Fought apartheid on humanist, not religious, grounds.
3. Reverend, Dr Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) [xxii]Prominent Black Rights activist in the states and narrator of the famous speech “I had a dream….”

1. Modern Commercial and Pop Culture Icons

1. Steve Jobs (1955–2011) [xxiii]– Secular “prophet” of technology (Apple’s cult-like branding).

1. Madonna (b. 1958) – Commercialized rebellion against religious conservatism.
2. Elon Musk (b. 1971) – Represents secular futurism (SpaceX, AI, Mars colonization).

1. Controversies and Criticisms

• Can secular icons become “religiously” followed? (e.g., Che Guevara’s idolization)
• Commercialization of secularism (e.g., Nike’s “Just Do It” as a quasi-spiritual mantra).
• Backlash from religious groups (e.g., Charles Darwin’s theories still debated).

VII. The Evolution of Secular Influence in Iconography in the 21^st century.[xxiv]

From Socrates to Steve Jobs, secular icons have shaped humanity’s progress by prioritizing reason, science, human rights, and commerce over divine authority. In today’s globalized world, secularism continues to evolve, sometimes even adopting “cult-like” devotion (e.g., Apple fans, John Wick cult, “La Mer’ skin regeneration cosmetic supporters, especially amongst the affluent in the achievement of Peace and eternal quest to sustain, their youthful appearance, at great expense and even in crypto evangelists).

Definition of an Icon in the 21^st Century [xxv]

 

An icon can refer to several things:

• Symbol or Image: In computing, an icon is a small graphical representation of a program, file, or function on a computer screen.
• Person or Thing: An icon can also be a person or thing regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of veneration. For example, a cultural icon like Nelson Mandela.

 

1. Ancient Greece (The Birthplace of Secular Thought)

1. Socrates (470–399 BCE)
   • Father of Western philosophy.
   • Advocated critical questioning (“The unexamined life is not worth living”).
   • Executed for “corrupting youth” by challenging Athenian traditions.
2. Aristotle (384–322 BCE)
   • Founded empirical observation (basis of modern science).
   • Tutored Alexander the Great; wrote on ethics, politics, and biology.
3. Epicurus (341–270 BCE)[xxvi]
   • Taught that happiness comes from reason, not gods.
   • “Death is nothing to us” – a purely materialist worldview.
4. Diogenes (412–323 BCE)[xxvii]
   • Cynic philosopher who rejected social norms.
   • Lived in a barrel, mocked Plato and Alexander the Great.

1. Ancient Rome (Stoicism & Pragmatism)[xxviii]

1. Marcus Aurelius (121–180 CE)
   • Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher.
   • Wrote Meditations—focusing on self-discipline, not divine intervention.
2. Lucretius (99–55 BCE)[xxix]
   • Poet-philosopher who wrote De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things).
   • Argued the universe is made of atoms, not governed by gods.
3. Cicero (106–43 BCE)[xxx]
   • Orator and statesman who promoted secular law & republicanism.
   • “The safety of the people shall be the highest law.”

III. Ancient India (Lokayata and Atheist Schools)[xxxi]

1. Charvaka (c. 600 BCE)
   • Founder of the materialist Lokayata school.
   • Rejected Vedas, afterlife, and karma—only direct perception mattered.
2. Brihaspati (mythical/semi-historical)
   • Attributed to early Indian materialism (“Enjoy life, death is final”).

1. Ancient China (Confucianism and Legalism – Non-Theistic Philosophies)[xxxii]

1. Confucius (551–479 BCE)
   • Focused on ethics, family, and governance—not gods.
   • “Respect ghosts and spirits but keep them at a distance.”
2. Han Feizi (280–233 BCE)
   • Legalist philosopher who believed in strict laws, not morality or religion.
3. Xunzi (310–235 BCE)
   • Argued human nature is selfish—rejected divine moral order.

1. Other Notable Figures

1. Hypatia of Alexandria (360–415 CE)[xxxiii]
   • Mathematician & astronomer murdered by a Christian mob (symbol of secular martyrdom).
2. Thucydides (460–400 BCE)[xxxiv]
   • Historian who wrote The Peloponnesian War—fact-based, not myth-driven.
3. Democritus (460–370 BCE)
   • Proposed atomic theory (“Everything is atoms and void”).

Key Takeaways:

• These figures prioritized reason, ethics, and science over divine authority.
• Many faced persecution (Socrates, Hypatia) for challenging religious norms.
• Their ideas laid the groundwork for modern secularism, democracy, and science.

Curated list of the most influential secular icons of the 21st century[xxxv],[xxxvi]

These are individuals who have shaped technology, politics, science, entertainment, and social movements without relying on religious authority.

1. Tech and Innovation Icons

1. Elon Musk (b. 1971)
   • Visionary behind SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and X (Twitter).
   • Advocates for AI, Mars colonization, and transhumanism (secular futurism).
2. Steve Jobs (1955–2011)
   • Revolutionized personal tech (iPhone, iPad, Mac).
   • Cult-like brand loyalty—Apple as a “secular religion.”
3. Jeff Bezos (b. 1964)
   • Founded Amazon, reshaped global commerce.
   • Blue Origin (space exploration) as a secular “next frontier.”
4. Mark Zuckerberg (b. 1984)
   • Facebook/Meta—social media dominance & VR (Metaverse).
   • Controversial figure in data privacy and digital society.
5. Sundar Pichai (b. 1972)
   • CEO of Google/Alphabet, shaping AI and information access.

1. Science and Rational Thought Leaders[xxxvii]

1. Neil deGrasse Tyson (b. 1958)
   • Astrophysicist, popularizer of science & secular skepticism.
   • Host of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey.
2. Bill Nye (b. 1955)
   • “The Science Guy,” advocate for climate action & evolution education.
3. Jane Goodall (b. 1934, but still active)
   • Primatologist, environmentalist—science-based conservation.
4. Yuval Noah Harari (b. 1976)[xxxviii]
   • Author of Sapiens—secular history of humankind.

III. Political and Social Justice Figures[xxxix]

1. Malala Yousafzai (b. 1997)[xl],[xli]
   • Nobel laureate, advocate for girls’ education (human rights, not religion).
2. Greta Thunberg (b. 2003)
   • Climate activist—global youth movement for environmentalism.
3. Barack Obama (b. 1961)
   • First Black U.S. president, symbol of progressive secular governance.
4. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) (b. 1989)
   • Progressive icon—Green New Deal, wealth inequality critic.
5. Edward Snowden (b. 1983)
   • Whistleblower who exposed mass surveillance (secular ethics vs. state power).

1. Business & Financial Influencers[xlii]

1. Warren Buffett (b. 1930, but still active)
   • “Oracle of Omaha”—secular guru of ethical capitalism.
2. Jack Ma (b. 1964)
   • Alibaba founder—global e-commerce revolution.
3. Oprah Winfrey (b. 1954, but still influential)
   • Media mogul—self-help, secular spirituality (The Secret, mindfulness).

1. Pop Culture and[xliii] Entertainment Icons

1. Beyoncé (b. 1981)

1. Music icon—feminism, Black empowerment, secular artistry.

1. Taylor Swift (b. 1989)

1. Global pop phenomenon—artist rights, LGBTQ+ allyship.

1. LeBron James (b. 1984)

1. NBA legend—activism (voting rights, education reform).

1. BTS (2010s–2020s)
   1. K-pop megastars—global youth influence, mental health advocacy.

22 Amitabh Bachan : [xliv]

1. The iconic film star of Indian movies. Multi talented taking up diverse roles

23  Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (b. 1972)

1. 1. Highest-paid actor—brand of hard work and positivity (no religious ties).

1. Intellectual and Philosophical Voices[xlv]

1. Sam Harris (b. 1967)[xlvi]
   • Neuroscientist, New Atheist (The End of Faith).
2. Richard Dawkins (b. 1941, but still active)[xlvii]
   • Evolutionary biologist, secularism advocate (The God Delusion).
3. Jordan Peterson (b. 1962)[xlviii]
   • Controversial psychologist—secular self-help, anti-censorship.

VII. Controversial and Disruptive Figures[xlix], [l]

1. Vitalik Buterin (b. 1994)[li]
   • Ethereum founder—decentralized finance (crypto as secular revolution).
2. Andrew Tate (b. 1986)[lii]
   • Polarizing influencer—hyper-masculinity, anti-establishment rhetoric.
3. Elon Musk (again, for X/Twitter controversies)[liii]
   • Free speech debates, AI ethics, “secular tech overlord” critiques.

Key Takeaways:

• 21st-century secular icons dominate tech, media, politics, and activism.
• Many represent post-religious values: science, capitalism, social justice, or individualism.
• Some (like Musk, Zuckerberg, Tate) are deeply polarizing—seen as either visionaries or disruptors.

The Impact of 21st-Century Secular Icons on Modern Society[liv]

The secular icons of the 21st century—from tech moguls to activists, scientists to pop stars—have profoundly reshaped politics, culture, economics, and even human behavior. Below is a breakdown of their key societal impacts across different domains.

1. Technological & Digital Revolution
2. Redefining Human Interaction

• Elon Musk (SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, X)
  • Accelerated space commercialization, making interplanetary life a realistic goal.
  • Popularized electric vehicles, forcing auto industries to go green.
  • Neuralink’s brain-computer interfaces could alter human cognition.
  • X (Twitter) transformed public discourse, for better or worse.
• Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook/Meta)
  • Facebook shaped social media addiction, political polarization, and digital identity.
  • Meta’s VR push (Metaverse) may redefine work, socialization, and reality itself.
• Sundar Pichai (Google/Alphabet)
  • Google Search and AI (Gemini) control global information access.
  • YouTube democratized content but also fueled misinformation and extremism.

2. The Rise of AI and Automation

• Sam Altman (OpenAI) and Demis Hassabis (DeepMind)
  • ChatGPT and AI tools are replacing jobs, reshaping education, and altering creativity.
  • Ethical debates: Will AI surpass human control?

1. Political & Social Movements
2. Activism & Human Rights

• Malala Yousafzai
  • Global symbol for girls’ education, influencing policies in developing nations.
• Greta Thunberg
  • Made climate change a youth-led global movement, pressuring governments.
• Edward Snowden
  • Exposed mass surveillance, sparking global debates on privacy vs. security.

2. Progressive & Populist Politics

• Barack Obama
  • First Black U.S. president—symbol of racial progress (though criticized for neoliberalism).
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC)
  • Pushed Green New Deal, Medicare for All—reshaping progressive politics.
• Donald Trump (b. 1946, but dominant in 21st century)
  • Populist movement, anti-establishment rhetoric, and social media-driven politics.

III. Economic & Financial Shifts

1. The Billionaire Class & Wealth Inequality

• Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Warren Buffett
  • Hyper-wealth concentration—sparking debates on taxation, UBI, and worker rights.
  • Bezos’ Amazon reshaped retail but exploited labor.

2. Cryptocurrency & Decentralization[lv]

• Vitalik Buterin (Ethereum), Satoshi Nakamoto (Bitcoin)[lvi]
  • Challenged traditional banking, enabling decentralized finance (DeFi).
  • Crypto scams and volatility remain major issues.

1. Cultural & Behavioral Influence
2. Pop Culture & Celebrity Activism

• Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, LeBron James
  • Beyoncé’s Lemonade and Renaissance—Black feminism, LGBTQ+ visibility.
  • Taylor Swift’s voter registration drives show celebrity political power.
  • LeBron’s I PROMISE School—direct impact on education.
• BTS
  • Globalized K-pop, mental health advocacy, and youth solidarity.

2. Self-Help & Secular Spirituality

• Oprah Winfrey, Jordan Peterson
  • Oprah popularized mindfulness, The Secret (manifestation culture).
  • Peterson’s “12 Rules for Life”—self-help mixed with anti-woke backlash.

1. Ethical & Philosophical Debates
2. Science vs. Misinformation

• Neil deGrasse Tyson, Bill Nye
  • Fighting anti-vaxxers, flat-Earthers, climate deniers.
• Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins
  • New Atheism—challenging religious dogma but criticized for elitism.

2. Free Speech vs. Hate Speech

• Elon Musk’s X (Twitter)
  • Allowed banned figures (Trump, Tate) back—free speech or platform for extremism?
• Andrew Tate
  • Spread toxic masculinity, radicalizing young men online.

1. Future Implications

• AI & Transhumanism (Musk, Altman) → Will humans merge with machines?
• Climate Crisis (Thunberg) → Can activism force policy change?
• Digital Authoritarianism (Zuckerberg, Pichai) → Will Big Tech control democracy?
• Celebrity Influence (Swift, BTS) → Can pop culture drive real political change?

Final Verdict: A Double-Edged Legacy

These icons have democratized knowledge, accelerated innovation, and empowered movements, but also:
✔️ Increased inequality (tech billionaires vs. gig workers).
✔️ Polarized societies (social media algorithms).
✔️ Blurred reality (AI deepfakes, Metaverse escapism).

Will their impact lead to a brighter future or deeper chaos? The 21st century is still being written.

Non-Human Icons of the 21st Century: A Summary of Their Origins & Societal Impact[lvii],[lviii]

The 21st century has seen the rise of non-human entities—brands, algorithms, AI systems, and corporations—that have reshaped society, often prioritizing materialism, profit, and disruption over humanism and peace. Below is a breakdown of their origins, influence, and consequences.

1. Tech Platforms & Social Media
2. Facebook/Meta (2004)

• Origin: Founded by Mark Zuckerberg as a college networking site.
• Impact:
  • Algorithmic polarization: Amplified outrage, conspiracy theories, and political division.
  • Data exploitation: Monetized personal information, undermining privacy.
  • Metaverse push: Encouraged digital escapism over real-world connections.

2. X/Twitter (2006, rebranded 2023)

• Origin: Created by Jack Dorsey, later acquired by Elon Musk.
• Impact:
  • Free speech vs. chaos: Reinstated banned extremists, increasing hate speech.
  • Misinformation hub: Amplified fake news, affecting elections and public health.

3. TikTok (2016)

• Origin: Developed by Chinese company ByteDance.
• Impact:
  • Addictive algorithms: Shortened attention spans, especially in youth.
  • Data privacy risks: Accused of sharing user data with the Chinese government.

1. Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms[lix],[lx]
2. ChatGPT (OpenAI, 2022)

• Origin: Developed by OpenAI, backed by Microsoft.
• Impact:
  • Job disruption: Threatens creative, legal, and customer service roles.
  • Misinformation risks: Can generate deepfake text, scams, and propaganda.

5. Google Search and Algorithm (1998, dominant in 21st century)

• Origin: Created by Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
• Impact:
  • Information control: Shapes what billions know (or don’t know).
  • Monopoly power: Crushed competitors, dominating digital advertising.

6. Deepfake AI (Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, 2020s)

• Origin: AI image generators trained on copyrighted art.
• Impact:
  • Erosion of truth: Fake images/videos manipulate politics and trust.
  • Art theft: Undermines human artists’ livelihoods.

III. Corporations & Consumerism

7. Amazon (1994, dominant in 21st century)

• Origin: Founded by Jeff Bezos as an online bookstore.
• Impact:
  • Worker exploitation: Grueling warehouse conditions, union busting.
  • Retail monopoly: Destroyed small businesses worldwide.

8. Apple (1976, but peak influence in 21st century)

• Origin: Founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.
• Impact:
  • Obsolescence culture: Planned product lifespans fuel excessive consumption.
  • Luxury branding: Turned tech into a status symbol, deepening inequality.

9. Fast Fashion (Shein, Zara, H&M)

• Origin: Mass-produced, disposable clothing trends.
• Impact:
  • Environmental harm: Second-largest polluter after oil.
  • Labor abuses: Relies on sweatshops and child labor.

1. Financial & Speculative Systems
2. Bitcoin & Cryptocurrency (2009)

• Origin: Created by anonymous “Satoshi Nakamoto.”
• Impact:
  • Financial speculation: Turned currency into a volatile casino.
  • Scams & fraud: Rug pulls, Ponzi schemes (FTX collapse).

11. High-Frequency Trading (HFT) Algorithms

• Origin: Wall Street’s automated stock trading systems.
• Impact:
  • Market manipulation: Flash crashes, destabilizing economies.
  • Wealth extraction: Benefits elites, not average investors.

1. The Consequences: Materialism Over Humanism

These non-human icons have:
✔ Weakened democracy (social media manipulation).
✔ Deepened inequality (tech billionaires vs. gig workers).
✔ Eroded privacy (data harvesting, surveillance capitalism).
✔ Fueled addiction (doomscrolling, consumerism).
✔ Disrupted truth (AI-generated fakes, misinformation).

Final Verdict:

While these entities drive innovation and convenience, their unchecked growth has often come at the expense of human dignity, stability, and peace. The challenge for the future is regulating their power before they further destabilize society.

AI’s Threat to Jobs & Crypto’s Economic Impact

1. AI’s Disruption of the Workforce

Origins & Acceleration:

• 2010s: AI automation began replacing manufacturing and data-processing jobs.
• 2022-2024: Generative AI (ChatGPT, Midjourney) started threatening creative, legal, and customer service roles.

Key Impacts:
✔ Job Losses:

• 30% of tasks in 60% of jobs could be automated (McKinsey, 2023).
• Copywriters, graphic designers, paralegals at highest risk.
  ✔ Wage Suppression:
• Companies use AI to reduce hiring, pushing down salaries.
• Freelancers compete with AI tools (e.g., $5 AI logos vs. human designers).
  ✔ False Promise of “New Jobs”:
• While AI creates some tech roles (AI trainers, ethicists), the net effect is fewer stable middle-class jobs.

Case Study: Hollywood Strikes (2023)

• Writers & actors protested AI scriptwriting and digital replicas.
• Outcome: Weak safeguards—studios can still use AI with minor restrictions.

2. Cryptocurrency’s Economic Chaos

Origins & Hype Cycle:

• 2009: Bitcoin launched as a decentralized alternative to banks.
• 2017-2021: Speculative boom—NFTs, Dogecoin, “Web3” utopianism.
• 2022-2024: Collapses (FTX, Terra/Luna) exposed fraud and volatility.

Key Impacts:
✔ Wealth Extraction:

• Top 1% of crypto holders own 90% of assets (NBER, 2023).
• Retail investors often lose everything in pump-and-dump schemes.
  ✔ Environmental Harm:
• Bitcoin uses more electricity than Norway (Cambridge, 2024).
  ✔ Real-World Disruption:
• El Salvador’s Bitcoin experiment: Forced adoption worsened poverty.
• NFT scams: Artists plagiarized, buyers left with worthless JPEGs.

Case Study: FTX Collapse (2022)

• Sam Bankman-Fried (FTX CEO) stole $8B in customer funds.
• Result: Regulatory crackdowns, but crypto still operates in legal gray zones.

Synthesis: Materialism vs. Humanism

Force	Material Gains	Human Costs
AI Automation	Corporate profits ↗, efficiency ↗	Mass unemployment, deskilling
Cryptocurrency	Early adopters get rich	Wealth inequality ↗, energy waste ↗

Future Outlook: Can These Forces Be Controlled?

AI:

• Possible Solutions:
  • UBI (Universal Basic Income) to offset job losses.
  • Strict IP laws preventing AI from stealing human artists’ work.
• Likely Reality:
  • Corporations will resist regulation, worsening labor crises.

Crypto:

• Possible Solutions:
  • Ban energy-intensive mining (like China did).
  • Treat crypto as securities (not currencies) to curb fraud.
• Likely Reality:
  • Cycles of hype/crashes will continue, harming small investors.

Final Thought

These non-human forces could be harnessed for good (e.g., AI curing diseases, crypto helping unbanked populations), but unchecked greed has made them engines of disruption. The 21st century’s central conflict: Will humanity control technology, or will it control us?

Policy Solutions & Historical Parallels for AI & Crypto

1. Policy Solutions to Control AI and Crypto
2. Regulating AI: Taxes, Bans, and Worker Protections

Potential Policies:

✔ “Robot Tax” on AI Replacements

• Companies using AI to cut jobs pay a tax to fund retraining programs (e.g., South Korea’s 2017 robot tax debate).
• Problem: Tech lobbyists resist, claiming it stifles innovation.

✔ Ban AI in Critical Human Roles

• Healthcare: Prevent AI from making life-or-death diagnoses without human oversight.
• Law: Ban AI judges or automated legal sentencing (risk of algorithmic bias).

✔ Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a Buffer

• Pilots in Finland & California show mixed results—helps survival but doesn’t replace meaningful work.

Case Study: EU AI Act (2024)

• First major law to categorize AI risks (bans emotion-recognition AI in workplaces).
• Weakness: Enforcement lags behind tech advancements.

2. Taming Crypto: Bans, Transparency, and Green Rules

Potential Policies:

✔ Ban Proof-of-Work (PoW) Mining

• China (2021), EU (proposed 2025): Outlaw Bitcoin’s energy-wasting model.
• Result: Mining moved to Kazakhstan & Texas, still polluting.

✔ Treat Crypto as Securities (Not Currency)

• SEC vs. Coinbase (2023): If crypto is a security, exchanges must follow stock-market rules.
• Problem: Crypto firms flee to unregulated havens (Bahamas, Malta).

✔ “Green Crypto” Mandates

• Force Ethereum-style Proof-of-Stake (PoS) systems (99% less energy than Bitcoin).

Case Study: El Salvador’s Bitcoin Disaster (2021-2024)

• Adopted Bitcoin as legal tender, promised financial freedom.
• Reality:
  • 70% of citizens never used it.
  • Government lost $40M+ in taxpayer funds on price crashes.

1. Historical Parallels: Industrial Revolution vs. AI Revolution

Aspect	Industrial Revolution (1760-1840)	AI Revolution (2020s-?)
Job Destruction	Luddites smashed machines over lost weaving jobs.	Writers, artists, drivers protest AI.
New Jobs Created	Factory work, railways, clerical jobs.	AI trainers, data cleaners (often gig work).
Wealth Inequality	Robber barons (Rockefeller) vs. child labor.	Musk/Zuckerberg vs. precarious gig workers.
Government Response	Eventually: labor laws, minimum wage.	Still debating UBI, robot taxes.

Key Difference:

• Industrial Revolution created more jobs than it destroyed long-term.
• AI Revolution may never replace lost jobs at the same scale.

III. The Path Forward: Human-Centered Tech

1. For AI:

• Mandate human-AI collaboration (e.g., AI drafts legal briefs, but a lawyer must approve).
• Tax AI profits to fund lifelong education (Sweden’s model).

2. For Crypto:

• Ban anonymous wallets to curb crime (like bank regulations).
• Redirect blockchain energy to useful projects (e.g., carbon tracking).

3. For Society:

• Degrowth movement: Resist mindless consumption fueled by algorithms.
• Worker cooperatives: Let employees own AI tools, not just corporations.

Final Verdict: Can We, as Humanity Avoid a Dystopia?

• Optimistic Scenario: Policies ensure AI/crypto serve people, not profits. Humanism must not be lost to materialism.
• Pessimistic Scenario: A digital feudalism emerges—tech lords vs. unemployed masses.

What is Next for global operations?

• Will governments act before it is too late?
• Or will corporate power keep rewriting rules in its favor?

Radical Reforms vs. Tech Oligarchy: Pros & Cons

1. Radical Reforms (Strict Regulation, Worker Protections, Decentralization)

✅ Pros:

1. Prevents Exploitation
   • Bans AI replacing jobs without safeguards.
   • Stops crypto scams & energy waste.
2. Reduces Inequality
   • Taxes tech giants to fund UBI, education, healthcare.
   • Breaks up monopolies (Amazon, Google).
3. Protects Democracy
   • Forces transparency in algorithms (no manipulative social media).
   • Bans deepfake disinformation in politics.
4. Sustainable Future
   • Green crypto laws (ban Bitcoin mining).
   • Ethical AI (no mass surveillance, biased hiring algorithms).

❌ Cons:

1. Slows Innovation
   • Strict rules may push tech development to less-regulated countries.
   • Could make the West fall behind China in AI/blockchain.
2. Corporate Resistance
   • Big Tech lobbies against reforms (see Meta vs. EU).
   • Risk of “regulatory capture” (laws watered down by lobbyists).
3. Unintended Consequences
   • Heavy AI taxes might hurt small startups, not just giants.
   • Overregulation could kill useful crypto projects (e.g., anti-dictator tools).

1. Tech Oligarchy (Laissez-Faire, Corporate-Dominated Future)[lxi],[lxii]

✅ Pros:

1. Fast Innovation
   • No red tape = rapid AI/crypto advancements.
   • Breakthroughs in medicine, space, automation.
2. Economic Growth (For Some)
   • Tech billionaires invest in futuristic projects (Neuralink, quantum computing).
   • Creates high-paying jobs for skilled workers.
3. “Efficiency” Over Ethics
   • AI replaces “inefficient” human jobs → lower costs for businesses.
   • Crypto operates freely, enabling anonymous transactions (useful in oppressive regimes).

❌ Cons:

1. Mass Unemployment
   • No safety net for workers replaced by AI.
   • Gig economy expands → no benefits, unstable incomes.
2. Hyper-Inequality
   • Billionaires control AI/space/health tech → feudalistic wealth gap, with greater inequality.
   • Average person priced out of advanced healthcare, education, transportation and home technology
3. Loss of Privacy and Freedom
   • Surveillance capitalism (Facebook, facial recognition AI).
   • Social credit systems (like China’s) could emerge globally.
4. Environmental Damage
   • Crypto keeps burning fossil fuels.
   • AI data centers drain water/energy resources.

Which Path Will Win?

Factor	Radical Reforms	Tech Oligarchy
Innovation Speed	Slower, controlled	Rapid, chaotic
Worker Rights	Protected	Exploited
Wealth Gap	Reduced	Skyrockets
Democracy	Strengthened	Eroded

Prediction:

• Short-term (2020s-2030s): Tech oligarchy dominates (governments move too slowly).
• Long-term (2040s+): Either radical reforms finally kick in, or society fractures into high-tech elites vs. impoverished masses.

As a reader, it is YOUR choice?

• Fight for reforms (even if difficult)?
• Accept corporate rule for faster technological progress?

Definition and Purpose of Iconography[lxiii]

• Iconography follows strict guidelines to ensure consistency and theological accuracy. Each element in an icon, from colors to gestures, has symbolic meaning.
• For example, gold backgrounds symbolize the divine light, while specific colors and poses convey different aspects of the holy figures’ lives and virtues.

 

Modern usage of the term “Icon”[lxiv]

Today, while traditional methods are still used, modern icons can also be created digitally or with contemporary materials, maintaining their spiritual significance. The term can be used metaphorically to describe individuals or movements that challenge and seek to dismantle established norms and values in a particular society or community, giving birth to a different establishment philosophies and individuals, often classified as revolutionaries, by the establishment.

 

The Bottom Line

Secular and non-religious icons from antiquity to the modern, commercialized era, have one primary goal in their motivation and that is to promote human zeal to the pursuit of amassment of materialism and wealth.  This is at the expense of humanism.  The comprehensive overview has explored commercialism, influential figures, symbols, and movements which have shaped culture, philosophy, science, and politics without being tied to religious doctrine or accountability toward the tenets of humanism.

The Part 2 of this series has contrasted the religious icons with the secular icons and it is glaringly obvious that religions do not matter in the 21^st century in the greater scheme of human existence. 

References:

[1] https://popculturemajor.com/pop-culture-icons-of-the-21st-century-the-figures-that-define-our-era

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_the_Great

[1] https://popculturemajor.com/pop-culture-icons-of-the-21st-century-the-figures-that-define-our-era

[1] https://jamesbishopblog.com/2020/08/08/what-are-religious-and-secular-symbols/

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestine_Liberation_Organization

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socrates#:~:text=Socrates%20(/%20%CB%88s%C9%92kr%C9%99ti%CB%90z%20/;%20[2]%20Ancient%20Greek:%20%CE%A3%CF%89%CE%BA%CF%81%CE%AC%CF%84%CE%B7%CF%82,,moral%20philosophers%20of%20the%20ethical%20tradition%20of%20thought.

[1] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aristotle

[1] https://archive.org/details/marcus-aurelius-meditations

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci#:~:text=Leonardo%20di%20ser%20Piero%20da%20Vinci[b]%20(15%20April,engineer,%20scientist,%20theorist,%20sculptor,%20and%20architect.%20[3]

[1] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Niccolo-Machiavelli#:~:text=Niccol%C3%B2%20Machiavelli%20(born%20May%203,%201469,%20Florence%20[Italy]%E2%80%94died,reputation%20as%20an%20atheist%20and%20an%20immoral%20cynic.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltaire

[1] https://magnifymind.com/age-of-enlightenment-vs-the-scientific-revolution/

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_Galilei

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin

[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6205949/

[1] https://www.eurekaselect.com/journal/46

[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7132033/

[1] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mahatma-Gandhi

[1] https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Karl%20Marx%20(1818%E2%80%931883)%20&qs=n&form=QBIR&sp=-1&lq=0&pq=karl%20marx%20(1818%E2%80%931883)%20&sc=1-22&cvid=95304C1ED2734611950467916BF6DCDD&first=1

[1] Nelson Mandela (1918–2013) – Search Images

[1] Reverend, Dr Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) – Search Images

[1] Steve Jobs (1955–2011) – Search Images

[1] The Evolution of Secular Influence in Iconography in the 21st century. – Search Images

[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/icon

[1] Epicurus (341–270 BCE) – Search Images

[1] Diogenes (412–323 BCE) – Search Images

[1] https://thestoicoptimizer.com/stoicism-vs-pragmatism/

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucretius

[1] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cicero

[1] https://www.sgoki.org/no/2020/07/28/carvaka-lokayata-the-rational-atheist-skeptical-and-materialist-philosophy-schools-of-india/#:~:text=India%20has%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20oldest%20recorded%20continuous%20atheist,in%20Rigveda%20are%20more%20than%203,000%20years%20old.

[1] https://elsevier.blog/legalism-vs-confucianism-shaping-chinese-philosophy-society/

[1] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hypatia#:~:text=Hypatia%20(born%20c.%20355%20ce%20%E2%80%94died%20March%20415,,whose%20life%20and%20work%20reasonably%20detailed%20knowledge%20exists.

[1] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thucydides-Greek-historian

[1] https://neo-citizen.com/%F0%9F%93%B0-top-100-most-influential-people-of-the-21st-century-a-thru-z/

[1] https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2020/

[1] https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/culture-magazines/scientific-revolution-and-philosophical-rationalism

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuval_Noah_Harari

[1] https://www.thetoptens.com/leaders/most-influential-leaders-20th-century/

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malala_Yousafzai

[1] https://www.worldpulse.org/story/the-story-of-malala-yousafzai-a-fight-for-education-68718

[1] https://www.fastcompany.com/53477/greatest-business-leaders-20th-century

[1] https://definitivedose.com/the-150-greatest-pop-culture-icons/

[1] https://www.addatoday.com/2020/04/amitabh-bachchan-filmography-full.html

[1] https://flibos.com/articles/philosophy-writers-influence-modern-thought/

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Harris

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Dawkins

[1] https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/home/

[1] https://christophegaron.com/articles/psyche/culture/20-of-the-most-controversial-people-from-history/

[1] https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/online-exhibitions/20th-century-heroes-villains/

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitalik_Buterin

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Tate

[1] https://www.bing.com/news/search?q=Elon+Musk+(Again,+For+X/Twitter+Controversies)&qpvt=Elon+Musk+(again,+for+X/Twitter+controversies)&FORM=EWRE

[1] https://www.academia.edu/1214357/The_Emergence_of_Iconic_Depth_Secular_Icons_in_a_Comparative_Perspective

[1] https://www.mbaknol.com/information-systems-management/decentralization-in-cryptocurrencies/

[1] https://coincodex.com/article/28459/satoshi-nakamoto-wallet-address/

[1] https://popculturemajor.com/pop-culture-icons-of-the-21st-century-the-figures-that-define-our-era

[1] https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=non-human+icons+of+the+21st+century+a+summary+of+their+origins+societal+impact&qpvt=Non-Human+Icons+of+the+21st+Century:+A+Summary+of+Their+Origins+&+Societal+Impact&FORM=IGRE

[1]https://www.bing.com/aclick?ld=e8qotMa24vwaKqY0yAOzYxHzVUCUzA6-yrqWAu-_W0LoeJjdy7zQa5_I1jlJ4YiHI_2Qdeb6zkTFgR_B22TsDjDNSpzFWzvyAbdxi7WFm8S25jtQ9amOXEbJjDRbQH-v8ia60CVoaxjZQumZFCWdMkrpSTRggml3jrrOxylNefEVosfHTIuP_sKDTbGyXDWdCgm9_m9g&u=aHR0cHMlM2ElMmYlMmZ3d3cucGx1cmFsc2lnaHQuY29tJTJmY291cnNlcyUyZmFpLWFsZ29yaXRobXMta2lzbWV0LXVkay0xMjQ4JTNmY2xpY2tpZCUzZGU2NTU2NmFkMWJlMTEyMjQ3NmQwMGViMjRlMGRjZTFkJTI2dXRtX3NvdXJjZSUzZGJpbmclMjZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtJTNkcGFpZC1zZWFyY2glMjZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24lM2R1cHNraWxsaW5nLWFuZC1yZXNraWxsaW5nJTI2dXRtX3Rlcm0lM2Rzc2ktZW1lYS1iaW5nLWRzYSUyNnV0bV9jb250ZW50JTNkZnJlZS10cmlhbCUyNm1zY2xraWQlM2RlNjU1NjZhZDFiZTExMjI0NzZkMDBlYjI0ZTBkY2UxZA&rlid=e65566ad1be1122476d00eb24e0dce1d

[1] https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/ai-algorithms/

[1] https://medium.com/@dhknarr/the-rise-of-tech-oligarchs-digital-feudalism-in-the-21st-century-744f8e50cf73

[1] https://justplainkris.substack.com/p/the-tech-oligarchs-playbook-how-musk

[1] https://artsology.com/blog/2024/09/what-is-iconography-understanding-its-meaning-and-importance-in-art/#:~:text=Iconography%20involves%20analyzing%20and%20understanding%20the%20symbols,%20themes,,those%20rooted%20in%20religious,%20mythological,%20or%20historical%20contexts.

[1] https://figures-of-speech.com/2025/03/icon.htm#:~:text=This%20modern%20use%20of%20’icon’%20was%20taken%20up,of%20admiration%20or%20respect.’%20That%20seems%20about%20right.

______________________________________________

READ PART 1

Professor G. Hoosen M. Vawda (Bsc; MBChB; PhD.Wits) is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment.
Director: Glastonbury Medical Research Centre; Community Health and Indigent Programme Services; Body Donor Foundation SA.
Principal Investigator: Multinational Clinical Trials
Consultant: Medical and General Research Ethics; Internal Medicine and Clinical Psychiatry:UKZN, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine
Executive Member: Inter Religious Council KZN SA
Public Liaison: Medical Misadventures
Activism: Justice for All
Email: vawda@ukzn.ac.za

Tags: Antonio C. S. Rosa, Freddie Mercury, Gandhi, Johan Galtung, Malala Yousafzai, Peace Studies, Steve Jobs Apple, Symbol

This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 19 May 2025.

Anticopyright: Editorials and articles originated on TMS may be freely reprinted, disseminated, translated and used as background material, provided an acknowledgement and link to the source, TMS: Peace Symbolism: Icons and Iconography Post 19th Century (Part 2), is included. Thank you.

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