Being Human in the 21st Century
The last few days have been emotional to say the least. Regardless of where your opinions lie about the current state of affairs, we all have one thing in common — a displeasure with the status quo.
Now more than ever it’s very important that we make a concerted effort to examine how the world around us has changed, how we are not keeping up with these changes, and that we really need to focus on coming together for positive change. Anger, bigotry, and hatred leave everyone worse off so we need to add what positivity we can.
We like to pretend that we are not animals anymore, that we have surpassed our planetary cohabiters thanks to opposable thumbs, a frontal cortex, and consciousness. Yet if we take an honest look at society today, it’s hard to not admit that there is a lack of rationality. Between corruption (e.g. Panama Papers), broken systems (i.e. prison, education, lack of effective training, etc.), and a general lowering of standards thanks to the power of consumerism and endless distractions via the internet and the closed minded-thinking that can lead to, we have no shortage of problems to fix and to address in trying to make both our own lives easier and the world as a whole a better place.
I propose we start by looking at some of the changes in the world around us. Then we take a look at ourselves within the context of that. From there we have to look to positively change ourselves and whatever else we can influence in ways that will lead to everyone being better off. The only way we can make this country the greatest place in the world is if we all take responsibility for what’s transpired to date and we all work on improving the situation together.
Instead of focusing on politics, I want to talk about other changes going on around us. Because I firmly believe that all of the changes we want aren’t going to come from a president, or politicians, or anyone else besides ourselves. Waiting for and relying on others tends to lead to disappointment so now’s the time we hold our own feet to the fire and start enacting change however we can. Let’s take a look at some things that include tech, social norms and expectations, being honest with ourselves, the purpose of life, and a call to action.
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Technology
I see technology as one of the largest forces of change. This is in terms of our relationship with/how we use tech, the new technologies being developed, every industry being reshaped, and a future that none of us can really wrap our heads around yet. Starting with the former, we need to use technology to our advantage and not let ourselves get sucked into its mighty web of consumerism and never-ending distractions.
Don’t get me wrong, I binge watch Netflix and generally waste time on the web with the best of ’em. Indulging in modern luxuries and rethinking what it means to be human in this day and age are by no means mutually exclusive. I am not some Luddite preaching that we shirk all technology and go back to simpler times or fight advancement — we just cannot let ourselves continue to blindly go down the path of endless distraction. We’re at a point in time where we humans, especially privileged ones, can accomplish so much to make the world a better place and to leave everyone better off at the end of day. In order for this to happen, we need to agree on the point of life before thinking about the structures of life and society, and how we fit into that.
Look within
Change has to start within. If we do not spend the time looking inwards to truly understand who we are, then how can we possibly assume that we are going to make the future a place we want to live? In order for a brighter tomorrow we need to understand ourselves and I firmly believe that begins with understanding one’s purpose in life.
Though there may not be an inherent purpose, we have the power to shape one. What I mean by that is that we do not enter this world with a purpose already predetermined for us. Our families, friends, and/or anyone else we encounter in our lives cannot force a purpose on us. A purpose or meaning for life has to come from within and be an underlying principle for all aspects of life. It gets heavily influenced by those around us, but there is a big difference between influence and force.
I think Viktor Frankl said it beautifully: “What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost, but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him.” (my highlights)
Lookout for your outlook
I think it’s also important to recognize that we are not in full control of most things in life. I think the thing we have the most over control is our outlook — everything else is dependent on others to some degree. Whether it’s our jobs, our relationships, our interactions, our hobbies, or just about anything else outside of a few truly solitary activities. We naturally want to feel in control of our own lives or at least of specific elements of it. It’s not easy to let yourself be truly vulnerable, but it makes us stronger when we do.
Comfort begets discomfort
Trying to focus our outlook on putting ourselves in a tensionless state, aka our comfort zones, where only pleasantries have been hand-picked means we rarely push ourselves outside of what we’re used to, unless it’s for a fun singular experience as opposed to doing so on a prolonged scale for the purpose of truly advancing ourselves somehow. We can’t let the subconscious fear of change or of appearing stupid/failure because we aren’t good at something (BECAUSE WE’VE NEVER DONE IT BEFORE) deter us from potential progress that we so desperately want to make. It’s hard letting ourselves be vulnerable, but it leaves us so much better off when we do just that.
Excuses, excuses
It seems to me as though technology has also made it so much easier to make excuses. Now that we’re inundated with options, it’s somehow ok to not worry about the value of other people and their time wasted when we can focus on our own pleasure maximization. Part of making excuses is not holding ourselves accountable. Somehow in the recent decades we have decided that our own personal interests trump those of others (no pun intended); that it’s totally ok to not develop a sense of community and instead to live in a world full of self-centered people.
You’re part of the solution or part of the problem
Let’s evolve as much as the technology around us has. Let’s start trying to make up for lost time. Let’s try to not just wastefully spend our money doing activities that do nothing for us beyond providing second-to-second amusement. Let’s try to pick up those hobbies that we never got around to. Let’s do all those crazy little projects or ideas that we’ve had since we were kids or teenagers. Instead of filling our time with as many fun things as possible before we lose our chance to make a mark on the world, let’s focus on what we want out of life and then fit in all the fun activities around that. Let’s not try to avoid taking responsibility. Let’s think, what are we willing to die in the process of trying to accomplish? Because if we don’t have that thought about anything, than why are we prolonging death? Wealth accumulation? Experience accumulation? Those things die with us. We should have a purpose that could outlive us given that we are but mere flesh-and-bone mortals.
What I find most beautiful about being human, especially in 2016 despite all of the scary stuff going on in the world, is that fact that it’s easier than ever to create something greater than ourselves. We are able to influence the lives of others in so many beautiful ways. Whether it’s by following a passion that creates goods or services that make the world a better place (not just more convenient — there’s a difference); by trying to create some kind of art, music, book, film, show, story, etc.; by giving back to the world with your time or money; by finding ways to affect change in the corporate world that helps move to a sustainable future; or by following whatever other calling we may feel, there are so many ways we can leave our mark on this planet. And when we don’t know what we should be doing, we should just do our best to focus on encouraging our curiosity and seeing where it takes us (for those of us who the luxury of being able to do so). I think going with the flow is important and part of that is also taking the opportunities that life gives us. That means not shying responsibility and holding ourselves accountable.
My call to action
Here are three references that neatly sum up how I feel right now:
“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” — Michael Jordan
“Words are weightless here on earth because they’re free.” — Queens of the Stone Age
Or said a little more bluntly and by good ol’ DMX, “Talk is cheap motherfucker.”
Let’s come together and not just voice our opinions but actively rethink what it means to be human in the 21st century not only so that we, our children, and the world as a whole make it to the 22nd century, but also so that it’s a much more beautiful place for everyone than it has ever been before. We only get one shot at this crazy thing called life — let’s all let ourselves be vulnerable, follow our passions, create more positivity in the world, and we’ll all be happily surprised with what we end up with. The only way to know is by trying to push ourselves and working together. I know I’ll regret it if I don’t try. What about you?
