Understanding the Disarray of Modern Culture and Its Impacts
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Chapter 1: The Broken Mainstream Culture
The year 2020 served as a stark reminder of the fractures within our mainstream culture. The question arises: in what ways is our culture misaligned, and how can we grasp this issue to initiate change?
The ancient Greeks set a benchmark for a healthy culture by proclaiming, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." This can be interpreted as: "Without a constructive and healthy vision for the majority, society suffers."
Evidence supporting this notion is prevalent; a glance around reveals unnecessary hardship and distress.
To counter the negative definition proposed by the Greeks, let's articulate a positive vision of a healthy culture. This task is feasible thanks to two significant developments in rhetoric:
- The 1970s adaptation of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) into the Kiersey-Bates model
- The 2001 categorization of demographics into three groups by Paul Ray and Sherry Anderson: Traditionals, Moderns, and Cultural Creatives.
In 2020, it became evident to anyone observant that these demographics—Cultural Creatives, Moderns, and Traditionals—were increasingly at odds, each retreating into their respective enclaves to fend off external cultural pressures.
Section 1.1: The Demographic Landscape
Cultural Creatives exist alongside two older American cultural groups: Moderns, who make up 46% of the U.S. population, and Traditionals, comprising 29%.
Traditionals (or Regressives) seek a simpler, more predictable world aligned with moral and religious values, reminiscent of the 1980s and 1950s. While they provide a stabilizing force that prevents rapid cultural shifts, this is not currently a pressing issue.
Moderns prioritize material wealth, comfort, and economic growth. They are captivated by the latest technological advancements, often overlooking the exploitative and unsustainable aspects of these innovations. Their stance is pro-technology and pro-meritocracy.
Cultural Creatives, on the other hand, emphasize the importance of environmental stewardship, social equity, personal authenticity, self-actualization, and the freedom to forge meaningful connections with family and like-minded individuals.
Subsection 1.1.1: Cultural Polarization
Reflecting on Ray and Anderson's insights from 2001, we can observe that from 1965 to 2005, mainstream culture was teetering on the brink of a significant change. The pivotal question was whether Cultural Creatives possessed enough influence to emerge in positions of power, fostering a new culture that could supplant the outdated, self-serving elite culture that degrades our planet.
The 2008 financial crisis highlighted that mainstream culture was not shifting towards a healthier, more sustainable Cultural Creative vision; rather, Moderns remained firmly in control.
In 2020, the global population appeared to further polarize into three distinct factions, each aligning with one of the aforementioned cultural groups. Beneath the surface of the ongoing cultural debates, a rough equilibrium emerged, with each demographic constituting roughly one-third of the population.
A significant tweet encapsulated the dangers of this three-part polarization: "Dear America: You are waking up, as Germany once did, to the awareness that 1/3 of your people would kill another 1/3, while 1/3 watches" ~ Werner Twertzog, a fan of the German director.
Thus, we find ourselves at a crossroads. To be continued in 2021. Which group resonates most with you? Which do you believe holds the potential to effectuate meaningful change in addressing our existential challenges and overcoming the pervasive emptiness of modern existence?
To Learn More
If you are unfamiliar with the Kiersey-Bates MBTI framework, I encourage you to explore it, as it serves as a valuable tool for understanding interpersonal dynamics and group harmony.