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Individualism is not building-up-towards or revealing-the-self, but destruction of the common, which translates as novel difference.
The seduction of new knowledge is arcane insights, which dissolves social norms for self separation. The knowledge -an alchemical agent for change- need not be new, merely distinct.
(Those who do not destroy the common are conformists, hence not individuals in this sense.)
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Finding purpose so we can live a meaningful existence is a crutch. Life is already meaningful: we are looking for additional security.
It is easier to glorify a singular principle (i.e., goodness, justice, God) and then submit to its precepts than to exist in an original state of chaos and confusion.
This universal submission may be for the net good, but it is slavery to a social ideal.
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Whether opening a pickle jar, debugging software, or growing your business, brute force is often the go-to move.
You can apply more force, more hours, more power, more dollars, or more bullshit.
This phase of problem-solving is when you are familiarizing yourself through practical experience — literally "feeling it out" — which grows into instinct and eventually begets elegant solutions.
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No one is forcing you to behave this way. You have chosen it.
Our behavior is goal-oriented but often comes from two instincts:1. To establish a consistent self (this is how I am and will always be.)
2. Protect yourself by signaling (I want you to know there is a cost to engaging with me.)
Example: If I choose to be miserable when you ask me to work, I make it painful for both of us while reinforcing my perceived character as a means to better train you.
Example: If you had a bad day, I would belittle your problems with my lousy life, winning at victimization while simultaneously declaring the strength to bear more than you. So, I’m always re-shaping our relationship to force you to defer to me.
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We see things dualistically: us v them.
Our interests (goals) are disrupted (blocked) by another, creating a conflict. This friction creates an invisible but powerful third object: the problem.
We can choose to fight each other and empower "the problem" or ally against the problem by collaborating.
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There is always one more hurdle, and the time is never right.
Instead, could you move the moment you feel it? Don’t delay even a second: be spontaneous and find yourself living a fuller (more authentic) life.
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Name-calling is labeling, which is a shortcut to feeling superior. Higher morality would require complex understanding, which leads to compassion rather than condescension.
Worse yet, once labeled (defined), we dismiss the hard work of further consideration or re-investigation.
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Bosses like to issue vague decrees and demands with little clarity and articulation.
This paradigm allows them to decide later how to react: anger at your failure to intuit the invisible or grudging acceptance when you magically do. A dominance play keeps you reliant on their mood with no fixed rubric for success, which comes at the high cost of repeated check-ins and edits, increasing frustration on both sides.
Yet, bosses are often unable to give up control and shirk the hard work upfront, making them the sloppy architect of their sabotage.
