The Fragmentation of our Society
There are these two young fish swimming along, and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says, “Morning, boys, how’s the water?” And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes, “What the hell is water?” — David Foster Wallace, Kenyon College commencement speech
Taking Stock
Could we be living in a reality that is so embedded in our consciousness that we are incapable of viewing it objectively, and thus fail to identify when we have strayed off course? Could our society be the water we all swim in, with all of us oblivious to its amoral functioning and the destructive direction it is orienting us towards? More and more people are becoming ‘awakened’ to the obscurity of certain cultural and social norms — be that through unexpected personal circumstances, their own voluntary undertaking of inner exploration, or external global events like Brexit and Donald Trump.
As infuriating as someone like Donald Trump is, the truth is that we are gifted the leaders in our society who reflect the values of that very same society. His displays of narcissism, celebrity, excessive self-interest, willful ignorance, obsession with status, and unchecked egotism are all pervasive elements of our modern Western society. Brexit was largely a consequence of nationalism, economic anxiety, and fear of ‘the other’ — inclinations that are a result of our drive towards a more separated, materialistic, and individualistic society which negates our inherent ‘oneness’ or connectedness.
Jungian psychology emphasised the idea of integrating the ‘shadow self’ that rests within our collective unconscious. The hero’s journey that each one of us may find ourselves compelled to undertake — but which demands a great degree of courage and fortitude — is to acknowledge our own capacity for the same traits displayed by those to whom we despise (including Mr. Trump). Only then can we guard against them, and do everything we can to promote values which are the antithesis to the ones currently being celebrated and inculcated by the participants of society.
It feels like we are headed in the wrong direction, and that we are at the precipice staring into the abyss. We are valuing the wrong things, and ignoring the many ills that have resulted from such a miscalculation of our priorities. Society is becoming extremely fragmented. Online discussion forums are filled with vile, hateful comments. We are becoming intolerant of others’ opinions, and increasingly isolated from those different from ourselves. Social media platforms — in particular Facebook — are contributing greatly to this fragmentation by creating insulated echo chambers within which we reside. Added to this is the fact that these highly addictive, dopamine-inducing ‘social media’ are eroding the traditional role of communities, personal relationships, and human contact — all of which is vital for the well-being and functioning of a healthy individual.
While there are a multitude of reasons as to why we now are where we are, I believe that highlighting the increasing separateness and division being promoted in our society is a good place to address.
The Problem with Identity Politics
The sad truth is that people who so vehemently campaign on the behalf of minorities are (mostly unintentionally) contributing to the problem of our fragmentation of society. The root of this fragmentation can be traced to the increasing leveraging of identity as a political tool: black versus white, Liberal versus Conservative, Muslim versus atheist, vegan versus carnivore. The list is inexhaustible. Not only that, but when one describes themselves as a ‘Liberal’ they are ostensibly prohibited from ever embracing any policy or viewpoint that may be deemed ‘Conservative’. Its an all or nothing pact. We see this too in the realm of food choices. I think the rise of veganism, vegetarianism, and more recently flexitarianism is a fantastic development for a variety of reasons, yet there are certain people within those groups who have become militant in their approach to their ideology. Life is not a zero sum game (again, this a theme someone like Donald Trump seems to believe in — in order for me to win, you have to lose).
I think this craving for identity hints at a deeper longing for significance. We all strive to ascribe meaning to our lives. Such cosmic significance can act as an antidote to the inevitable suffering of living, and as a way of transcending the tragedies thrown our way. Being part of a group whom we can identify with fulfills this purpose. There is a great deal of merit in being a part of a group, and I endorse such allegiances wholeheartedly. The problem arises when we begin to identify ourselves by our membership of certain groups. Then anyone who is not “in” this group automatically becomes someone to be opposed. Such thinking is a race to the bottom — as identities become more and more specific we further alienate and omit those around us. By creating identity groups, we filter out all of those great people who may not fit our identity but who support and empathise with such a group.
Without question campaigning for the rights of those who suffer oppression on a continual basis is paramount for societal growth and evolution. But I think we should guard against our ego becoming so invested in the identity we create for ourselves. It feels great to say “I’m a vegan” or “I’m a atheist” because we become part of something bigger then ourselves. “I’m a human” would encompass us all, and reduce that primal urge to fractionate into conflicting tribes.
Why even bother?
We must engage with those with whom we disagree. The answer does not lie in silencing those individuals who hold opposing views to our own. Acceptance is not the same as agreement. A healthy society has people who accept each other, but do not necessarily agree with each other. Disagreement is where the beauty and nuance of human discussion and intellectual progression takes place.
It is far easier to label people as “deplorables”, “snowflakes”, or “racists” because it abdicates all responsibility for thinking on the part of that person. Using a simple, all-encompassing one word allows the person to bracket the other ‘racist’ person without ever considering the nuances and subjective experiences of that individual. It is intellectually lazy and morally weak.
I believe that we are much more than our individual identities, and that we are doing a disservice to both ourselves and those around us by screening people to categorise them into whatever box we ascribe to them based on an arbitrary set of criteria. Who could forget that now famous Danish TV advert which highlighted how, regardless of our orientation or background, we have a lot more in common with our neighbour than we do differences. Just because someone identifies with a viewpoint contrary to our own does not imply that we cannot be acquaintances.
The Solution?
“No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it” — Albert Einstein
I appreciate that what I am about to say may seem too esoteric and abstract to be considered legitimate and pragmatic. But I sincerely believe in the validity and efficacy of focusing on shifting our individual and collective consciousness. When we come to realise the interconnectedness and essential oneness of our fleeting experiences, taking place in the blink of a cosmic second, we come to realise that all of our usual grievances and disagreements are mostly petty and unnecessary. When astronauts view Planet Earth from space they experience what is called the cosmic overview effect — all they see is one planet without differentiating nations, ethnicities, races, or sects. We have a lot more in common than we realise. The key lies in acknowledging our propensity to engage in tribal/group thinking, transcend that, and instead embrace the many things that share with our neighbour.
“Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth — Henry David Thoreau
The Ithaca Diaries
