This is very interesting on a couple of levels. First, individualism. The idea that different relationships in our lives give us different identities vs. the modern individualism that seeks to assert one personal ego identity over everything else seem to be correlated. Lack of former probably leads to latter and latter may be cured by more of former.
Secondly, am a bit perplexed to read about Sweden as being a traditional place. I read this book The Almost Nearly Perfect People: Behind The Myth of Scandinavian Utopia by Michael Booth and it presented a very individualistic side of Sweden. I wrote about it here: https://www.fairobserver.com/culture/should-scandinavians-give-us-advice-on-modernity/. It would be great to have your thoughts about Sweden perhaps in a new post!
Thanks Garima. Sweden is very interesting. I usually refrain from commenting, because I think we can never fully understand cultures, since they are fluid. Sweden is both individualistic and community oriented. I could be wrong but the individualism is state infused, meaning quite modern. Say less than 2 centuries. Having said that ---the harsh climate can support both individualism since you need to be prepared and community since you need help of people to sustain such harsh climate. And I think marriage breaking today is because of this crazy idea...that that one relationship is end of everything. Healthy relationships often happen in a network. You learn a balance of speaking up and learning to be quiet when need be.
Most of the modern/contemporary problems, I realize now, are due to modernity. Cutting off from nature, corporations wanting single households coz it spells profit for the market (connect it all also to mass production. Until the early 1990s, the only ready made clothes people got were jeans and t-shirts. With advent of ready made (which lost the whole idea of customized clothing)--combined with internet, people lost the connection with need and consumption. Since it's available all the time, you consume all the time. In addition, in all countries until the mid 20th century, clothing for young adults and adults was pretty much the same. The whole idea of youth clothing is new. Again, it's an identity creation, a temporary identity associated with consumption. Not a young person in transition on their way to becoming an adult. From there start all other issues such as generation gap, disconnect between generations and a whole new youth culture which insists on thinking differently from adults, no mater the cost. Reinventing the wheel, and ignoring wisdom. And as you say SM is dangerous because people are looking for approval not wisdom. Read https://www.amazon.in/No-Sense-Place-Electronic-Behavior/dp/019504231X
This is very interesting on a couple of levels. First, individualism. The idea that different relationships in our lives give us different identities vs. the modern individualism that seeks to assert one personal ego identity over everything else seem to be correlated. Lack of former probably leads to latter and latter may be cured by more of former.
Secondly, am a bit perplexed to read about Sweden as being a traditional place. I read this book The Almost Nearly Perfect People: Behind The Myth of Scandinavian Utopia by Michael Booth and it presented a very individualistic side of Sweden. I wrote about it here: https://www.fairobserver.com/culture/should-scandinavians-give-us-advice-on-modernity/. It would be great to have your thoughts about Sweden perhaps in a new post!
Thanks Garima. Sweden is very interesting. I usually refrain from commenting, because I think we can never fully understand cultures, since they are fluid. Sweden is both individualistic and community oriented. I could be wrong but the individualism is state infused, meaning quite modern. Say less than 2 centuries. Having said that ---the harsh climate can support both individualism since you need to be prepared and community since you need help of people to sustain such harsh climate. And I think marriage breaking today is because of this crazy idea...that that one relationship is end of everything. Healthy relationships often happen in a network. You learn a balance of speaking up and learning to be quiet when need be.
I see, so it's not a Sweden problem but a modernity problem. And completely agree!
Most of the modern/contemporary problems, I realize now, are due to modernity. Cutting off from nature, corporations wanting single households coz it spells profit for the market (connect it all also to mass production. Until the early 1990s, the only ready made clothes people got were jeans and t-shirts. With advent of ready made (which lost the whole idea of customized clothing)--combined with internet, people lost the connection with need and consumption. Since it's available all the time, you consume all the time. In addition, in all countries until the mid 20th century, clothing for young adults and adults was pretty much the same. The whole idea of youth clothing is new. Again, it's an identity creation, a temporary identity associated with consumption. Not a young person in transition on their way to becoming an adult. From there start all other issues such as generation gap, disconnect between generations and a whole new youth culture which insists on thinking differently from adults, no mater the cost. Reinventing the wheel, and ignoring wisdom. And as you say SM is dangerous because people are looking for approval not wisdom. Read https://www.amazon.in/No-Sense-Place-Electronic-Behavior/dp/019504231X
no sense of place.
Very interesting. Am currently working on something that takes a similar view. Thanks for the book recommendation, shall definitely check it out.