The worst possible thing for a society is to be organized in such a way that individual interests are promoted over collective interests.
Recently, American culture has organized itself to care about self-interest. People don’t think to themselves that they shouldn’t litter because it would hurt the environment. Instead, they just throw their Doritos bag on the ground because walking five feet to the nearest trashcan is just too much effort.
Just a while ago, I was thinking to myself that if I tripped in the hallway during a mod change and dropped all of my things, with papers flying out of folders and books spread out all over the floor, I honestly don’t know if anyone would stop and help me pick up my things.
It’s a little upsetting, considering the pre-revolutionary war period when people needed each other and they depended on one another.
Our country would never have survived if individualism had been part of our ideals when Europeans first discovered the Americas.
Even the U.S. government organizes itself in such a way that individualism is key and each party looks out for itself. The division into two parties advocates individualism even more.
The Democratic and Republican party system is badly structured. To hold a position in office, candidates have to advocate whatever issues their party wants, which are not necessarily best for the country.
This divides Americans into two groups so instead of Americans we have Republican and Democrats so working together on an issue becomes impossible.
We look out for self-interests.
Everyone looks out for themselves, which keeps our country from getting things done and progressing as a nation.
How can America be the best country if we all do not work together to improve it?
Pop culture and T.V. teach people that it’s acceptable to walk over others in order to be promoted. They teach that it is ok to be a horrible person and that really, if you backstab your friend to get that promotion you will be so much happier.
In truth, you won’t be because you lost a friend and now what do you have? More money and that’s it. We know that money doesn’t bring happiness.
Individualism in itself isn’t bad but when it goes to the point of hurting society and people it is wrong.
Gabbrielle Joseph can be reached for comment at [email protected]