Ambition

I have one overarching ambition.

At first, it was a typical, cliché dream of success—building skyscrapers, founding a global IT company, taking on the challenge of entrepreneurship. Leading thousands of employees, contributing to the world through an unshakable business model. It’s a grand and admirable goal. But to me, it never held much personal appeal. In the past, I might have envied those who built massive enterprises and wanted to prove myself through such achievements.

But I’ve changed a lot since then. While I believe the world is moving in the right direction, I also expect the worst possible version of it. And that worst version, in my view, is war. The war between Ukraine and Russia has dragged on for years, with the possibility of North Korea’s involvement looming. NATO's level of intervention could tip the balance further. The increase in military spending, as confirmed by various global data sources, sends a chilling signal. If Russia’s aggression is eventually legitimized by global acceptance, would that lead to more armed conflicts or fewer?

Social issues are also frightening. I fear a Great Depression where all currencies become worthless. Looking at the actions the U.S. has taken in recent years to curb inflation, it's clear that America's influence has become a global standard. As life becomes unbearable for ordinary people, the poor fall off a cliff. The collapse of the middle class is not a phenomenon limited to a few countries—it’s happening everywhere. Currencies are devalued while labor value fails to catch up.

Even if I achieve moderate success and buy a nice home in Seoul, what good would that be if society collapses or if World War III breaks out and nuclear fallout blankets the northern hemisphere? I don’t see the AI-driven future with optimism either. I believe the world will transform to fit a drastically reduced population. Many global economic forums paint this in a positive light—robots and AI will accelerate in place of a shrinking workforce. And yes, that future will be great for those who can afford to command the robots. You won’t need a housekeeper, and except for the top-tier talents, most workers will be replaced.

Professor Jordan Peterson once said the future will be hard for people with low IQs. And he was right. Jobs that used to be accessible to them are now out of reach. If autonomous vehicles start replacing workers in the logistics and transportation industries, around 20% of the global workforce could lose their jobs. Those who were once considered the middle class may no longer hold that status. The gap between those who can own robots and those who can’t will become extreme.

Emerging countries, whose only competitive edge is cheap labor, will lose their edge. Only those with abundant resources may have a chance to plan for the future. As AI improves exponentially each year, it will instill fear and devalue human life. More people will either have to lower their worth to compete with AI or find entirely new jobs. A society skewed toward a small elite class is a perfect breeding ground for social unrest.

In such a world, predatory business models will thrive by exploiting the unstable majority. Cults are already doing well in Korea, and they will likely grow even more, with more people handing over their money to self-proclaimed messiahs. Poor countries will get poorer, and those that can’t keep up with change will fall behind. The likelihood of military conflicts in disputed regions will rise, raising the risk of full-scale war. Whether we are witnessing the end of Pax Americana or a new era of peace enforced through superior military might, the global order is visibly shaking. Just look at the ongoing Hamas conflict in the Middle East—it’s evident. You might wonder, what does their war have to do with us? But if even one nuclear warhead is launched, there will be retaliation, and the radioactive fallout will spread globally through the air.

In a world where war is a real possibility, small successes lose their meaning. Rather than building on the ruins, it’s become more important to find a place that won’t collapse and establish a resilient business there. To protect myself and the people I love, I must be able to respond swiftly to change.

In this rapidly shifting world, the majority of people tremble like a candle in the wind. What path can protect them? What is the boldest ambition a human can have? After long contemplation, I believe the greatest thing a person can do is to save and feed others. If I can save people who seemingly have nothing to do with me, I could say I loved them like family—even if we share no blood ties.

If I make decent money and live with a wife I love, maybe I can be a father to one or two children. I could then spend the rest of my life protecting my family, raising my children, and supporting those around me. That would be a fulfilling life. But I want to go beyond that. If I can save and feed even 100 children whose names I don’t know, I could take on the role of their father. I often think about the countless children growing up in orphanages without parents, or babies who die in pain shortly after birth for reasons they’ll never understand. They don’t need to repay me. I just want to help them. I just want to love them. If I could dedicate all my strength and time to saving even one more life, I can think of no greater pride in life.

To walk this path, I may have chosen a dangerous road. I may have to become a villain in someone’s eyes or be called a disgrace by others. But if my path is right, there will be countless children standing by my side. And if my life was a lie, my death will be filled with mockery.

What is the purpose of life? It is to deliver love. Even if the world didn’t give it to me, I can still give it to others. That, I believe, is what makes humans fundamentally different—and greater—than animals.