The Dark Heart of Individualism
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The Dark Heart of Individualism
David Brooks • The Relationalist Manifesto
It’s liberation from the idea that we can self-optimize ourselves to the point of not needing anyone else. That if we work hard enough to survive in a competitive economy, we’ll be able to buy, order, or summon anything we might need within 24 hours, and that is somehow progress. That instead of asking for help and support from the people and frien... See more
Thomas Klaffke • Aliveness: Reframing Productivity
Nicole Woods added
kev and added
Keely Adler added
When hyper-individualism kicked into gear in the 1960s, people experimented with new ways of living that embraced individualistic values. Today we are crawling out from the wreckage of that hyper-individualism—which left many families detached and unsupported—and people are experimenting with more connected ways of living, with new shapes and varie... See more
theatlantic.com • David Brooks: The Nuclear Family Was a Mistake - The Atlantic
sari and added
On the one hand, we have the breakdown of traditional family structures, of belief in God, and of nationalism—the things in which we have historically found a sense of purpose that transcends the self. As these collective myths break down, the void has been filled by the rise of extreme individualism. There are no gods, no objective moral truths, a
... See moreRichard Meadows • Optionality: How to Survive and Thrive in a Volatile World
Power is shifting away from institutions and towards individuals. If we’re going to have more control over our own lives, working from anywhere, owning the internet, governing the institutions that support us -- then we need to figure out how to handle that responsibility. We need a self-governing philosophy. Existentialism is a great place to star... See more
Packy McCormick • Existential Optimism
sari added
Perhaps most damaging, it includes a toxic individualism that creates barriers to deep connection and intimacy. When we are oriented toward doing it ourselves and getting ours, we cut ourselves off from the kinds of relationships that can…
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