THE NEW RELIGION OF SELFA Deep Dive into Modern-Day Narcissus Culture
I just came back from 3 weeks of travel and was struck by something very concerning. To be honest, I have been concerned about this for the past several years, as I have seen more and more people that I thought I knew make life altering decisions based on what can only be described as ‘The New Religion of the Self’.
Across the globe, an unconventional religion is rapidly growing, and it has nothing to do with deities, scriptures, or spiritual beliefs. It's the escalating cult of the self, otherwise known as "Narcissus Culture", a term coined after the ancient Greek myth of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection.
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In today's digitised era, a considerable portion of society seems to be adhering to this new-age religion, defined by excessive self-interest and a lack of consideration for others. This growing trend has profound implications for individuals, societies, and humanity at large.
"We are living in an age of self-obsession, selfie-obsession. We are turning into a society that's got a really heavily overdeveloped sense of self. And what comes with that is a sense of entitlement." - Will Self
Emergence of the 'Me-Centric' Society
Today's society is rapidly becoming increasingly 'me-centric'. This shift can largely be attributed to several intertwined factors, namely, technological advancements, the rise of social media, and consumer culture, all of which encourage a pronounced focus on the individual.
With the advent of personal computers, smartphones, and the internet, we've been ushered into an age where personalised experiences and instant gratification are not only possible but are becoming the norm. We curate our own entertainment, information, and shopping experiences, often in isolation, further reinforcing the notion of a self-centric world.
The social media landscape, populated by platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, provides a fertile ground for the proliferation of self-worship. Users create meticulously curated versions of their lives, which often encourages comparison and competition, and, inevitably, a stronger focus on self-image and personal branding.
Contemporary consumer culture, characterised by advertising and marketing campaigns that emphasise personal satisfaction, also plays a significant role in promoting the self above all else. The message is clear: to be successful, happy, or loved, one must continuously strive for self-improvement, often materialistically defined. The message is also clear, to be relevant, one needs to seek constant attention, even if it means taking a selfie that results in you plummeting to your death.
Ramifications of the Self-Worship Culture
The implications of this narcissistic trend are manifold, affecting interpersonal relationships, mental health, and societal cohesion. As individuals become more self-absorbed, relationships begin to suffer. Empathy, understanding, and cooperation can be overlooked in favour of personal desires and agendas, leading to increased conflict and disconnection.
The rise of self-worship also coincides with an increase in mental health disorders. Numerous studies have linked social media use with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. The constant comparison to others and the pressure to maintain a perfect image leads to decreased self-esteem and increased mental stress.
A society where self-interest trumps communal concern is likely to see a decline in social cohesion. As more people prioritise their own wants and needs, the collective bonds that hold communities together are weakened, leading to increased social disparity and reduced community support.
Shifting the Focus: Toward a More Balanced Perspective
While self-care and self-improvement are essential components of personal well-being, they need to be balanced with empathy, communal responsibility, and consideration for others. Incorporating these values into our everyday lives, education systems, and social policies can help foster a more balanced perspective that values the community as much as the individual.
In an era of increasing self-obsession, it's essential to remember that we are inherently social beings. Our growth, survival, and overall well-being are dependent not just on our individual efforts but on our ability to cooperate, empathise, and care for others. Perhaps the most sustainable route to personal happiness and societal prosperity lies not in self-worship, but in recognising and nurturing our interconnectedness.
The Modern Worldview: An Obstacle to Communal Cohesion?
Is this ever going to happen on a wide enough scale to tip the scales back to community as an expression of a healthy humanity?
Indeed, the shift from an excessively individualistic society to one that values community can seem daunting, if not unachievable (sadly, mention community these days, and you are labelled as a socialist). Our modern worldview and the institutions that are shaping it appear structured to foster self-obsession. This perspective promotes the notion of "survival of the fittest", a dog-eat-dog mentality that encourages winning at any cost and relentless pursuit of self-interest. Everything speaks to this, from lauded billionaires to our sports ‘gods’.
Modern societal institutions and power structures have subtly manipulated societal norms over the past decades and our expectations, promoting individualism over communal cohesion. This is visible across several sectors, including the corporate world, political landscape, and mass media.
Corporate Interests: The corporate sector, which significantly influences the consumerist culture, benefits from our self-obsession. As long as consumers are focused on self-improvement and personal gain, they continue to fuel economic growth. The rhetoric of "survival of the fittest" used in the corporate world further endorses this culture of competition and self-interest.
Political Exploitation: Political systems and power structures, too, can exploit this "cult of self". When citizens are excessively self-focused, they may overlook broader societal issues. This myopic view allows those in power to pursue their agendas with lesser public scrutiny or opposition.
Mass Media Influence: Mass media, including social media platforms, reinforces this self-obsession. It promotes narratives of personal success and competition, fosters a "like" culture that thrives on external validation, and perpetuates a cycle of comparison, self-absorption, and isolation.
The Power of the Collective: A Threat to the Status Quo?
While the forces pushing us towards self-obsession are indeed powerful, it's crucial not to overlook the latent power of the collective. Power structures recognise that a united public poses a significant threat to the status quo. Together, we can challenge unfair practices, demand change, and hold power structures accountable.
If we become more community-minded, focused not just on our individual rights and freedoms but also on our responsibilities to one another, we can initiate significant societal change. However, effecting this shift requires us to overcome the pervasive culture of self-worship, a task easier said than done.
Undoubtedly, shifting the societal focus from self-obsession to communal responsibility is a colossal task. Given the stronghold of modern institutions and the allure of self-worship, the journey appears arduous and fraught with challenges.
However, history has shown us that societal norms can and do change. With increasing awareness of the harmful effects of self-worship and the growing mental health crisis, there's potential for a cultural shift.
Emphasising empathy, cooperation, and shared responsibility in our education systems, promoting positive communal narratives through media, and implementing socially conscious policies can all contribute to this shift. It's a monumental task, but not an impossible one.
In this battle against the cult of the self, the key weapon is awareness. Once we recognise the manipulation inherent in modern structures, we can begin to push back. I am always reminded here of the words of cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." It's time we reclaim our collective power and challenge the rising tide of self-worship, and we can begin with ourselves first.
SUMMARY OF THIS ARTICLES MAIN TAKEAWAY POINTS
There is a rising global trend referred to as 'The New Religion of the Self' or 'Narcissus Culture', characterized by an excessive self-interest and a lack of consideration for others.
This trend is being driven by factors like technological advancements, the rise of social media, and a consumerist culture, which all encourage a focus on the individual.
Social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook enable self-worship, as users create curated versions of their lives, leading to competition and a focus on self-image.
Consumer culture, which emphasises personal satisfaction and success, contributes to the promotion of self-worship.
The trend has several implications, including strain on interpersonal relationships as empathy and cooperation are overlooked for personal desires.
It coincides with an increase in mental health disorders, with studies linking social media use to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
Social cohesion is under threat as people prioritise their own needs, weakening the bonds that hold communities together.
The article calls for a balance between self-care and communal responsibility, promoting empathy, cooperation, and consideration for others.
Modern societal institutions, such as corporations, political systems, and mass media, promote individualism over communal cohesion, further encouraging self-obsession.
A united public can challenge these power structures, but overcoming the pervasive culture of self-worship is a significant challenge.
There is a potential for cultural shift with increasing awareness of the harmful effects of self-worship and the growing mental health crisis.
The key to combatting the 'cult of the self' is awareness of the manipulation by modern structures, and re-emphasising empathy, cooperation, and shared responsibility in our education systems, media narratives, and socially conscious policies.