By: Ricardo Abud
Technological revolutions have always transformed how people work, communicate, and organize their societies. The digital revolution is no exception. However, some economists argue that the current economic system can no longer be described solely as capitalism.
Economist Yanis Varoufakis proposes the concept of technofeudalism to explain a reality in which a few technology companies concentrate control of digital platforms, data, and the attention of millions of users. In this context, emotional intelligence ceases to be merely an interpersonal skill and becomes an indispensable tool for preserving autonomy, critical thinking, and freedom of choice.
Technofeudalism posits that the most valuable resource of the 21st century is no longer just money or production, but information and human attention. Digital platforms such as social media, search engines, and online marketplaces understand the habits, preferences, and emotions of their users thanks to the data they collect daily. Through increasingly sophisticated algorithms, these companies can influence what people consume, buy, believe, and even feel.
In this context, emotional intelligence takes on a different dimension. Traditionally, it is defined as the ability to recognize, understand, and regulate one's own emotions, as well as to understand the emotions of others in order to build healthy relationships. However, in an economy where emotions also represent a commercial resource, developing emotional intelligence means learning to identify when our decisions respond to a genuine need and when they are the result of stimuli designed to capture our attention.
The future will demand people capable of controlling their impulses in an environment where every notification, ad, or video competes for a few seconds of attention. Digital platforms use psychological principles to keep users connected for as long as possible. This can foster anxiety, constant comparison, misinformation, and social polarization. Emotional intelligence allows us to recognize these dynamics and act more consciously before reacting or sharing information without verifying it.
However, it is also worth critically analyzing the concept of technofeudalism. Although Varoufakis's proposal offers an interesting explanation for the power of large technology companies, some economists consider the term more of a metaphor than an accurate description of the current economic system. They argue that capitalism remains the predominant model, albeit with new forms of power concentration. This difference demonstrates the importance of critical thinking: understanding a theory involves evaluating both its contributions and its limitations.
Preparing for this future requires much more than learning to use new technologies. It also demands strengthening human skills that are difficult to automate, such as empathy, ethics, communication, creativity, and the ability to work as a team. Emotional intelligence allows us to manage stress, adapt to change, and maintain trusting relationships in an increasingly digital world.
Education will play a fundamental role in this process. Beyond teaching technical skills, it must cultivate citizens capable of interpreting information, questioning algorithms, and understanding how emotions can influence personal and collective decisions. In this way, emotional intelligence is complemented by digital literacy and critical thinking to strengthen individual autonomy.
The real challenge is not rejecting technology, but using it without relinquishing our capacity for free choice. Technological advances will continue to offer extraordinary opportunities for innovation and human development, but they will also pose risks related to privacy, manipulation, and the concentration of power.
In this context, emotional intelligence will be one of the most valuable skills because it will allow us to maintain a balance between technological progress and the values that distinguish people. The society of the future will need individuals capable of coexisting with artificial intelligence and digital platforms without losing what no machine can fully reproduce: conscience, empathy, ethical judgment, and the ability to build authentic human relationships.
THERE IS NOTHING MORE EXCLUSIONARY THAN BEING POOR.
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