You can blame technology or wonder if it’s our de-evolution as a species, but anecdotal evidence suggests that we might be reverting into entities more self-absorbed than ever before. The recent pandemic and digital addictions surely coaxed us further in that direction via isolation, fear, new habits, and enhanced tribalism (over masks, vaccines, rules, rights, etc.).
M. Night Shyamalan, movie writer-director extraordinaire, summed it up when discussing his latest scare-fest, The Cabin at the End of the World in TIME magazine. He said, “Our culture has moved toward individualism. Technology really accelerated that and then the pandemic was the final nail in the coffin… Do we find purpose when we define ourselves not only as individuals, but as part of a greater collective?”
Personally, I hope the collective thing wins out, because lately it seems that while we associate with many interesting people, many simply aren’t interested. Locally, where we share pride in a certain ethos of caring and kindness, it seems nowadays that while people may hear us, they’re just not listening (or caring).
If you’re caught up in survivalism, escapist podcasts, inflation anxiety, and self-preservation, you’ve possibly developed (understandably) a kind of shell to safeguard yourself from a more aggressive, semi-dysfunctional world. While protecting ourselves and our loved ones is primal and vital, it might be a good time to ask yourself: at what price?
Someone just returned from a trip, and no one asked “how was it?” People mentioned that they just visited their kids on the mainland, and no one asked, “how are they?” with any real intent or further questions. Friends, neighbors, family, casual acquaintances, co-workers. Most everyone’s apparently too busy with their own thing(s) to give a hoot about anyone else’s thing(s).
Perhaps I’ve exaggerated a bit, but this is the last place in the world that I know of where people would become callous, disinterested, pre-occupied, or distant. I thought humans might be reborn coming out of COVID- more accepting, kinder, open, relaxed, and relieved; you know- we actually made it! Maybe this is just a natural phase- happily freed from hibernation, just a temporary byproduct compounded by the ridiculous inability of so-called national leaders to bring people together. Maybe it’s our human defense mechanism on steroids after so much pandemic angst, loss, economic concern, and uncertainty about next month or next year.
Whatever it is, I sure hope it dissipates. Soon.
Think about it…