We have become the most dependent group of individualist ever.
On the one hand, we completely value individualism (at least in Western society) to the point that the power to be me - really, the right to be me - has become an article of faith in modern society with an almost religious-like fervor. The world can and should do nothing except accept me precisely as I am.
On the other hand, we have become a society that is completely controlled by the opinions of others - that dreaded "peer pressure" society that everyone preaches against, yet we somehow all seem to be in. Opinions, actions, and beliefs that are not currently considered societally acceptable are driven from the public square with an animosity and a zeal resembling that of the Cultural Revolution. And in a rather amazing turn of events, elements of our society now need defending from words and ideas which they find to be offensive or "damaging to the psyche".
If you think that things are getting stretched to the breaking point, you would be correct. Such a thing cannot exist in tension for a long period of time. We are on the cusp of those who demand social conformance starting to eat their own side as, once they have driven out everyone else they disagree with, they will instinctively (but perhaps not consciously) seek out new targets to ensure that their view is the dominant one - even if that means destroying one time allies in the process. More often than not, revolutions always end up eating their own.
Sadly, we are almost at the point that every totalitarian society dreams of: a society where individuals go after aberrant opinions and zeal which the dominant power can never match, reaching into every aspect of life where the government cannot reach. And once people become used to living in such a society, they one day discover they have discarded their freedom for the privilege of being a societal slave, always living on the edge of having one's life destroyed by a stray word or thought or deed.
Do not believe me? Read the histories of totalitarian states, of Communist China and North Korea and Stalinist Russia and Nazi Germany, even of Rome under Caesars. And then get back to me on your right to "be" who you want to the exclusion of all other opinions.
'Preachin' to the choir, TB!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely agree with you on this, TB. An Amen would not be out of place here.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and God bless you all.
Thanks Pete. At least I have the vindication of people I respect, even if I have no solutions.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda. I wish more people were attuned to a sense of "irony". It would be helpful, I think.
ReplyDeleteYes, people are getting extremely crazy about this. It amazes me at how quickly it's happened, seemingly out of nowhere. At one time I thought that particular segment of society was suffering from extreme insecurity. Now it seems more like insanity.
ReplyDeleteLeigh, I really do blame social media. It panders to our basest instincts and (literally) makes everything about me and how everyone perceives me. Combine that with the power that we have ceded to the media in our society, and it is not really surprising we have come to such a pass.
ReplyDeleteI am coming to believe more and more that the future of independent thinkers will be far away from social media - in fact, I am coming to believe more and more that they will have nothing to do with it. You can neither be shamed treated mercilessly if you do not engage.