How do we survive in the complex society of today?
"This is how Deotyma discovered within herself an illness often found in contemporary human beings - an illness called civilization. It is a very irritating condition, to which soap, heart rates, complex mathematical symbols and chemical formulas, political economy, experimental research and the inability of human beings to have simple, but noble relationships with each other are central". (R. Musil, Man Without Qualities)
Nina Karlström - 27.09.2019 @ 16:23
Here can you read our article about the topic.
Patrícia Isztl - 13.11.2019 @ 18:45
Living within society
by Patrícia Isztl and Kira Sztaskó, DNG Budapest/Hungary
"This is how Deotyma discovered within herself an illness often found in contemporary human beings - an illness called civilization. It is a very irritating condition, to which soap, heart rates, complex mathematical symbols and chemical formulas, political economy, experimental research and the inability of human beings to have simple, but noble relationships with each other are central". (R. Musil, Man Without Qualities)
How do we survive in the complex society of today?
This question can be interpreted in many ways. How does society influence our views and thinking? How can we meet social norms and expectations while maintaining our own individuality and dreams?
Robert Musil's work, "A Man Without Qualities," seeks to answer, among other things, how we can follow our own ideas in our life in an ever-alienating environment. Ulrich, the protagonist of the novel, doesn't like himself at all. He lives in a fictitious world, modeled on the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, and wants to know how to use his skills to find a meaningful and useful role in society. In his opinion, most people are exposed to random living conditions and he believes, that no one lives a life, that they could fully enjoy and control.
“Life forms a surface that acts as if it couldn’t be otherwise, but under its skin things are pounding and pulsing.” – writes Musil. Expectations govern how we live, there is always someone, who tells us what we can do.
This isn’t different today. Society and expectations change from time to time and there’s no way we can ignore them. Today's young people are always under pressure from their parents, teachers, friends or even strangers on the street. We are constantly looking for feedback and confirmation from others, just think of the many posts on social networking sites like Facebook and Instagram. The likes we get out there reward and strengthen our confidence, we feel like we are finally recognized. But is this really a good attitude to life? Is this the kind of happiness we truly seek?
Many people say that this insecurity and over-sensitivity to the opinions of others hinders the (further) development of our personality. Perhaps the solution would be to find people who motivate and strengthen us, rather than diminish our hopes. We have to find our own path and keep our motivation to reach our goals.
So how do we find our "true" place in society?
Everyone knows people, who do something, but they are dissatisfied with themselves, because they think, that they could do something better. Let's just take a look at the old, grumpy neighbor, who works as a lawyer, even though he wanted to be a pastry chef since he was a kid. He earns a lot of money, but does not enjoy his job at all. He once thought, that he could make his dreams come true in his spare time, but in the end, he had no spare time left at all.
Society often sets inevitable obstacles that can destroy our ideas. At school, you have to live up to the expectations, pass exams, then find a secure job, earn enough money, spend time with your family, while not wasting your skills and life. You can then follow your dreams if you still have energy.
Finding the right place in life, while meeting social expectations is a difficult, but not impossible task. If you find an occupation or occupations that you like to do and that you have an interest and talent in, don't give up, no matter what others say.
You're in control of your own life.
You have the right to be happy.
Hey, I really like your text! It really is a great problem in our society that people are unsatisfied with their life and therefore try to seek satisfaction through feedbacks and recognition by other people. It is so sad that so many people do not know that they always can achieve their dreams if they really want to.
Anastasia Sobol - 03.12.2019 @ 15:52