On The Need To Belong: Part IV

Assumptions:
There is much pleasure in feeling proud.

I apologize now, if my criticisms of society have seemed too harsh. I must remind the reader that this is not a doctrine calling for drastic change or one that is directly attacking the underlying fundamentals of society. Instead it is simply meant to be taken as a consideration. If the reader can pull just one thought-provoking idea from these writings, then I will have completed my goal. Obviously, it would be impractical and nearly impossible for everyone to stop using "we" or "us" in conversation, and even I admit that this is nonsense. However, this is meant to serve as a theoretical ideal. If my assertions are at least somewhat sensible, then one would agree that the an ambition for world I have represented, not necessarily free from subjective thought, should be an immense emphasis on objective reasoning (much more so than it is emphasized today). It is something we as humans ought to strive for, but one that we can never reach. Although this may sound a bit paradoxical, as mentioned before in the opening words of this blog, just because we cannot reach our destination does not mean that we cannot keep getting closer.

Amazing is the feeling of pride, yet terrifying in one's recognition of it. In an enormous crowd of peers, trapped together in a great hall and listening intently to a powerful speech, it becomes easy and feels so natural to cheer with them. So fluidly does our mind regress into the notion that only the people immediately surrounding us exist, and so quickly do we forget that there are so many others beyond those four encompassing walls. The feeling that arises when placed within a group exhilarates the soul so powerfully and bites into the essence that comprises our instinct. And we give in, because the sensation drugs us, we are lured by its siren-like call. It is ironic how heartily we emphasize our individuality, but then clump ourselves together and throw it away! Pride corrupts the mind and we follow it. But alas, our only hope is to recognize this and fight against it. If we continue to pride ourselves by labels, culture, nationalities, or the like, then even though we may unite with those who share our labels, we may end up falling apart as a human race. But again, this is not meant to be pessimistic! This discussion simply exists to serve as a warning and perhaps to help guide us in the right direction.