I am important.
But, not in ways that are at the expense of everyone else.
We really have to move beyond individualism and, actually, back toward collectivism.
Some significant strides have certainly been made towards the value of the individual, especially in contrast to where that has sometimes been historically. Now, however, we seem to be running into some boundaries with regard to how individual freedoms are impinging upon the collective good.
Such ideology is quickly thrown into the air by claims of socialism. But, have you ever noticed how little constructive thought or conversation really follows such claims? Like many other things, terms like socialism are only really used as a means means of shutting something down...usually by the jeering of the home-team crowd.
And, in this case, it really isn't used very honestly:
It really would not be hard to add to this list.
So, do we really know what is meant when this term is thrown around or how intentionally it has been used by the echo-chambers of talking heads and political influencers for decades? It is really more the stuff of boogeymen than it is real.
I'm not even saying there are elements of socialism that can't be debated. But, for the most part, that is not what is happening in the common use of it today. Not to mention, coherent discussion among people with distinct perspectives, based on genuine curiosity.
This narrow, oft-politically motivated narrative on socialism is not really what is at involved when thinking about collectivism relative to individualism. What, after all, are the virtues of individualism? I'm not throwing shade here — is complete autonomy and independence as virtuous as it is purported to be? We cannot, after all, even live in such a state. The nature of all existence on planet earth is inter-dependent. Over and over and over again we continue to discover the depth and range of this truth .
But, for some reason, we continue hold out the mythology that one of the highest goods is that we shouldn't be bothered by (not to mention need) anyone besides ourselves.
...except for the exceptions that serve us (which really at base are socialism in the more purest sense) —we're fine with it then. Just not when it comes to other things...or other people.
So, how about a little more honesty (and a little less hypocrisy). How about some real dialog that life is not primarily for consumption purposes only? That we are all in this together, not for what we can profit for individual gain, but for the relationships we have with all of existence. For the good, in fact, of all (as opposed for just me).
Our questions need to shift from an exclusive focus of the rights of the individual back toward what is best for the common good and experience of all.
I am important, especially for the enhancement I bring to what is truly good...for everyone.
