“When a person can’t find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure” Victor Frankl.
The downfall for many indigenous peoples worldwide, when they met the outsiders (mostly European) roaming across the world’s oceans, was being seduced by technology. It’s human nature to want anything that makes life easier and more comfortable. For instance, before 1492, the Americas had several quite advanced civilizations (e.g., Aztec, Inca, Maya, Hopi) that ‘got in the way’ of the Europeans wanting to take things they wanted. While the Europeans imposed their worldview on the world, the main things that they brought that appealed to the natives of these soon to be colonialized lands, were horses, guns, and iron tools and weapons – things that made life a lot easier. Few indigenous peoples liked the European mindset or lifestyle, but they sure did like the new technology.
Jared Diamond in his book Guns, Germs and Steel, talks about Cargo culture and how a lust for technology caused many indigenous peoples to allow themselves to be coopted over time by the colonizers supplying the technology. Diamond argues that Europeans were just lucky in being able to develop iron tools and then steel, which required a complex manufacturing process of “large quantities of iron ore and plentiful, carbon-rich forests, plus access to fast-flowing water for power and transport. All of which were readily available in Europe.” Many indigenous peoples, either because they lived too remotely to be bothered by the Europeans (e.g., New Guinea, Amazonia), or were steadfast in their own spiritual values (e.g., North Americans) were able to utilize the newer technologies without losing their sense of connectedness to the natural world. That isn’t to say that all North American tribes kept their sovereignty, since many hunted many animals almost to extinction (e.g., the Beaver) to satisfy European thirst for natural resources, in exchange for more steel technology in tools and weapons.
The most destructive aspect of the European colonizers was their long-time worldview of dominion over what was perceived as an inert natural system with little regard for the long-term ecological consequences of their destructive technological (of the time) systems. Like a Disney cartoon song, they considered “the Earth as just a dead thing to be conquered and used,” and they were the conquerors. If we fast forward to today, and we find that worldview alive and kicking even with billions around the planet yearning for something better but feeling trapped by the economic behemoth that was spawned by the industrial revolution. We now have a global system predicated on creating money at the expense of everything else, using extremely seductive technology that has made the modern world. But at what cost to the human psyche and soul?
The malaise that dominates so many people within the developed world is understandable once you recognize that modern living has been reduced to a hedonistic focus on self-gratification and acquisition of material goods. Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with enjoying all the wonderful things life has to offer – food, drink, travelling, hanging out with friends and family, etc., and having wonderful technology. But the material-consumer mindset places self-gratification above all else. I have written quite a bit about becoming self-actualized (e.g. see links Spirituality 2 {March 2018}, Personal Sovereignty 3 {November 2018}, Spirituality, Service, and Connectedness – Part 18 {November 2021}, and Thinking Anew – Part 18 {April 2022}) and coming from a place of spirituality and life purpose. Finding meaning in life and not just a nihilistic birth, live, die mentality that makes life seem meaningless.
There is a whole body of psychological-socio-philosophical research on purpose of life and the search for meaning, and most of it is not theological (religious) based. So, why bother to find meaning and not just seek hedonistic pleasure? The simple answer is that people who have purpose and meaning in their lives are healthier and happier in everything they do, not just when they are in pleasure seeking mode. They also feel a more profound connection to all of life.
Having purpose gives your life meaning, and when you have that you feel a greater sense of connection that helps you move forward with every task that much more easily. It doesn’t mean that everything becomes easy, but your attitude changes towards everything. I have a favorite ‘Far Side Cartoon’ that shows this nicely (cartoon). If your life feels meaningless, even empty, then your value system and moral life code can also be screwed up. Core values that define what you think as ‘right’ things to do give worth to you and all that you do. People like to feel useful, and having purpose and meaning gives you confidence what you do. It makes you feel like you are on track with making a real difference.
Self-worth is part of that achieving self-actualization and being an authentic person – it’s not being selfish, but being the real you, and not living up to whatever society, your friends or family expect you to be. I’m always amazed at how so many people live life to be ‘liked’ by others. I recall many students I advised in university who were miserable because they didn’t want to be there but did so because it was expected that they pursue a degree. I recall advising several to take leave time off to explore their options, several found that they were happier doing something that gave them purpose.
My grandson was typical of this generational malaise. He decided to skip the college route and become a journeyman electrician. He loves working with his hands and enjoys seeing the ‘fruits of his labor’ every day. It also gives him the flexibility to enjoy his passion for the outdoors much more than a typical office 9-5 job! Having his ‘skills’ and ‘experience’ recognized has given him a great sense of self-worth that translates to his feeling being able to face any challenges in life. And like many of his generation, he may be coopted by the social media and electronic joy (he is an ardent gamer), but is in the process of finding a new simpler way to live that while still hedonistic isn’t marred by the need to acquire more and more ‘stuff.’
It’s a start in a new direction. I can only hope that their quest to explore new lands and travel translates into a greater sense of gratitude for the natural world that sees it as something to be cherished and not a check off on a bucket list to impress others. Maybe when they realize just how living a life with a more spiritual purpose not only increases ones sense of self-worth and confidence, but also leads to more happiness and a sense of feeling more fulfilled by life. The true secret to a happy life is being completely fulfilled by the life you’re living. We are social creatures that need to realize how this comes with a need to make a difference living a purpose that places us squarely with a place within society where we can express our individuality and sovereignty.
Living hedonistically means believing that material things bring us happiness, when what truly matters is how meaningful, purposeful, and useful is what we do that gives us satisfaction. The other big benefit about living a purposeful and meaning full life is that it is good for both your mental and physical Health. There is a whole spectrum of biological research that shows how being needed, being helpful, and adding value to the lives of others has a measurable effect on both your physical and mental health. Amazingly, this translates to reducing many of the common modern causes of death like heart disease, stroke, and cancer, as well as reduced depression.
And it doesn’t stop there. As we again begin living more community-based lives, we will reap the benefits of increased health and longevity as well. That’s part of the Roseto effect, which I will talk about more in the next post.
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