I’m firmly in the camp that modern Western culture has taken individualism too far and this worldview has seeped into a dominant global worldview of prioritizing self over others.
Its a common trope in individualistic cultures that people living in collective societies lack personal development. But this ignores that much of personal development comes from how we relate to others. Often it is within the collective that we find ourselves and our purpose.
I find present day Western society to also be obsessed with the idea of an individual saviour, whether it’s in the form of a demogogue, a superhero or a religious figure. The creep towards far right authoritarianism throughout the West attests to this. Often the collective power of likeminded and strong willed people is diminished, which in turn suppresses overall social development.
Communities whither as people become more isolated allowing mental health challenges and drug addiction (which is often a response to these challenges) flourish.
I work in a profession that deals with many people. I meet perhaps 15 to 20 new people every week. The overall arc of what I see is a profound loneliness. I don’t see anyone truly actualizating themselves or finding their unique expression in that sea of despair.
I find present day Western society to also be obsessed with the idea of an individual saviour, whether it’s in the form of a demogogue, a superhero or a religious figure. The creep towards far right authoritarianism throughout the West attests to this.
… do you think far-right authoritarianism was weaker in the more collective past?
Communities whither as people become more isolated allowing mental health challenges and drug addiction (which is often a response to these challenges) flourish.
Mental health challenges and drug addiction are extremely widespread before the ‘modern West’, and outside of the West today as well.
I think the Western world, particularly America, has taken Enlightenment values and misused them to justify hyperindividualism. Everyone is their own hero who had to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. We shouldn’t lift each other up because that will disincentivize them from working for themselves. Its nonsense and it gradually pushes us towards a type of authoritarianism.
I’m not trying to say dynastic or heriditary authoritarianism didn’t exist in the past but its different in my view. The people didn’t have a choice then. Now they’re choosing authoritarianism.
Isolation absolutely increases the incidence of mental health issues and drug addiction, irrespective of region or era. Modern Westerners (especially in the US) are about as isolated as people can be.
I’m firmly in the camp that modern Western culture has taken individualism too far and this worldview has seeped into a dominant global worldview of prioritizing self over others.
Its a common trope in individualistic cultures that people living in collective societies lack personal development. But this ignores that much of personal development comes from how we relate to others. Often it is within the collective that we find ourselves and our purpose.
I find present day Western society to also be obsessed with the idea of an individual saviour, whether it’s in the form of a demogogue, a superhero or a religious figure. The creep towards far right authoritarianism throughout the West attests to this. Often the collective power of likeminded and strong willed people is diminished, which in turn suppresses overall social development.
Communities whither as people become more isolated allowing mental health challenges and drug addiction (which is often a response to these challenges) flourish.
I work in a profession that deals with many people. I meet perhaps 15 to 20 new people every week. The overall arc of what I see is a profound loneliness. I don’t see anyone truly actualizating themselves or finding their unique expression in that sea of despair.
… do you think far-right authoritarianism was weaker in the more collective past?
Mental health challenges and drug addiction are extremely widespread before the ‘modern West’, and outside of the West today as well.
I think the Western world, particularly America, has taken Enlightenment values and misused them to justify hyperindividualism. Everyone is their own hero who had to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. We shouldn’t lift each other up because that will disincentivize them from working for themselves. Its nonsense and it gradually pushes us towards a type of authoritarianism.
I’m not trying to say dynastic or heriditary authoritarianism didn’t exist in the past but its different in my view. The people didn’t have a choice then. Now they’re choosing authoritarianism.
Isolation absolutely increases the incidence of mental health issues and drug addiction, irrespective of region or era. Modern Westerners (especially in the US) are about as isolated as people can be.