Slaves of our Desires

By Dr Jan Resnick

We live in a constructed world built with ideologies that permeate everything from national institutions to individual and group identities. Economically, socially, politically, and professionally, we are the rope in a tug-of-war between the interests of our selves and the interests of the group: the local, state, national and global communities. This ideologically-driven battle has defined diverse political movements for more than a hundred years during which the very meaning of democracy and freedom is at stake. Due to the pandemic, this battle has taken a dramatic turn with profound effects for the scope of government and its consequences for individual rights and freedom.

Currently, the dominant socio-political discourse revolves around a nationalistic-ideology of supporting local industries by buying our way out of recession. Is this consumer-led approach where we want to get back to? It will help to answer this question to be reminded of where we have come from.

In reflecting upon the implications of the past for our future, I am reminded of the brilliant 2002 BBC documentary series by Adam Curtis called The Century of the Self, a must-see. Curtis documents the origins of consumerism from its humble beginnings to the obsessive-compulsive spending habits of the pre-pandemic world.