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The Root of All Evil: The Comparative Existence

An existence (and the creation of values) based upon the conduct, possessions and achievements of others; the negation of the authentic Self and the creation of 'photocopies' = those individuals who strive to exhibit the personality traits of others, living a life of continuous (and futile) comparison, ultimately resulting in the destruction of the Self.


  • In Favour of the Authentic Self

    Fashions, trends, fads, diets, cars, furniture, sports, hairstyles, shoes, electronics, occupations, salaries, income ... the list is endless.

    All of the above illustrate the concept of a 'comparative existence'; a conscious and idealistic life of comparison to others, and a dissatisfaction with the Self, in comparison.

    It all probably started a long time ago, when people created gods, and then desired to become gods. After all, fallibility and mortality are terrifying.

    The gods descended from the heavens and became people, and these people in turn became 'heroes'. The desire for recognition is so strong in the human being, even after our physical expiry, we mark a stone with our names, above our graves.

    In the 20 & 21st centuries, heroes stepped from their legendary, sketchy pedestals into homes. Suddenly, they could be seen on screens and heard on the radio...

    Psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists deal with individuals on a daily basis who have no contact with their own personalities, who have hidden themselves behind Armani shades, a Sarah-Jessica Parker attitude, a Jared Leto's carelessness and cold, intellectualised cynicism. Rudeness disguised as wit...as someone once said, and everyone laughs.

    The real loss, of course, is the absorbtion of and the endless strife to achieve and acquire what others have...aptly called 'competition' or 'ambition'. Super-imposing an image and an ideal onto something else.

    And what have we gained in the process? Nothing of value, I say. A wider variety of ego-satisfying products, more to buy however, the Newtons, the Einsteins and the Imhoteps of today, unlike the originals who changed the course of human history, are no longer looking into themselves for answers to their questions - they are in the cinemas, reading magazines, looking into the mirror every morning and wondering why they are not 'like everyone else'.

    The disintegration of the 'Authentic Self' or native personality traits, naturally cause psychological stress... the unfairness to both be or not to exist, at all, as...

    Someone other than who you really are.

    Voted for by Hertha.
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