Behind the Words of the SDGs - The Deception of Pretty Words and the Absence of Inquiry

"Leave no one behind." Behind those words, who is actually being left behind?
The SDGs sound as beautiful as any words could when speaking of ideals. But has the atmosphere that forbids even questioning those words robbed us of the ability to "inquire"?

In this note, I will re-examine the impact that "pretty words" have on society and the deception that lies behind them.
Isn't it the "attitude of continuing to ask questions" that creates a sustainable society? It is from that perspective that I deliver this final installment.

This note is the final installment of the series "AI and Our Social Design - Looking at an Age of Technology Without Ideals" (7 parts in total). It is fine to start reading from this piece.

Vol.1 How will work change in the age of generative AI?
Vol.2 The irony that the talent of "being able to follow a manual" is the first to be cut
Vol.3 The spell of reskilling - Not everyone can learn
Vol.4 The structure of first-mover advantage - Questioning that "correctness"
Vol.5 Basic income and the design philosophy of the "freedom not to work"
Vol.6 Who does technology belong to? - AI and DX that have become "control devices"
Vol.7 Behind the words of the SDGs - The deception of pretty words and the absence of inquiry

Introduction: When "doing good" feels suspicious

SDGs. Sustainable Development Goals.
Environment, human rights, gender, welfare, eradication of poverty—

The 17 goals set forth seem like "the right thing" to anyone who sees them.

However, I look at that string of overly pretty words with a certain coldness.
It is as if they are trying to cover something up with slogans wearing a mask of righteousness. That is the feeling I get when looking at them.

In this article, I want to re-examine the power and danger inherent in the "words" of the SDGs and think about what lies behind them.

Chapter 1: What is hidden within a society of slogans

Display the word SDGs. Just by doing that, it seems as if one feels they are doing something "good."
Companies, educational institutions, and politics all use this word, put up posters, and fill out checklists.

But what is the reality?

Claiming to be "eco-friendly" while producing products with a high environmental impact.
Checking the box for "gender equality" while tolerating discrimination against women internally.
Sending out messages to the outside world about "ending poverty" while expanding inequality within one's own company.

If we are serious about aiming for a sustainable society, we must first face our own contradictions.
But in reality, it even looks like the SDGs are being used as "words to hide contradictions."

Chapter 2: Pretty Words and Intellectual Stagnation

"Happiness for everyone,"
"Kind to the Earth,"
"An equal society"—

Such abstract "ideal words" have the effect of sealing off inquiry.

This is because doubting them is considered "evil."
There is an atmosphere where even asking, "Why should everyone be happy?" is not permitted.

As a result, many people stop thinking for themselves about "what the problem is" and simply accept the "pretty words" provided to them.
But is there any true ethics or agency in that?

"Unthinking goodwill" leads society as a whole in an ambiguous direction, and by exploiting those gaps, essential inequalities and structures of domination are preserved.

Chapter 3: The Growing "Sense of Doing"

The goals of the SDGs are composed of "good-sounding words" that are difficult to quantify.
That is precisely why they are difficult to evaluate, difficult to verify, and tend to be ambiguous in their effectiveness.

While saying, "Achieve gender equality by 2030," only stopgap events and PR accumulate, and the deep parts of systems and structures remain almost unchanged.

While "pretending" to do something, the people who should really be raising their voices are left behind.

Moreover, the "sense of doing" creates an atmosphere where it is difficult to criticize, and a "self-poisoning" that hinders essential improvement spreads throughout society.

Chapter 4: Re-questioning Pretty Words

What is important is not to believe in words, but to throw "questions" at them.

• Who are those words really for?

• Is someone being silenced by those words?

• Is there a contradiction between words and actions?

This is sometimes an act that breaks the atmosphere.
However, if we fear that, the meaning of words will become hollow, and deception wearing the mask of justice will gain power.

If we are going to use the term "SDGs," we should look even more closely at the contradictions and limitations behind it.
I want to look at the essence without getting intoxicated by the beauty of the words.

Isn't that the very first step toward a "sustainable society"?

Conclusion: Thinking that Sees Through to the Essence

"Beautiful words" make essential problems harder to see.
But if we don't look at the essence, the SDGs are just a pie in the sky.

We are allowed to be more skeptical.
We are allowed to pause more often and think about what lies behind the words.

What we should really be doing is not chanting "beautiful ideals" as slogans. Isn't it to keep questioning the methods to realize those ideals?

It is not slogans that change society.
It is the attitude of each and every one of us, questioning those words with, "Is that really okay?."

★☆★ Thank you for reading until the end.
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▼ Isn't resisting the manufactured atmosphere and raising your voice the first step to changing society?

▼ This is a magazine that compiles this article series.