WHEN I was young, I was asked repeatedly what I would like to be when I grew up. I almost always told everyone I wanted to be a scientist because some days I also wanted to be a pilot or an astronaut. My sister wanted to be a doctor, but she discovered that the medical field was not for her, so she pursued becoming a lawyer. It was challenging for her to finish law school, but it was all rewarded when she passed the recent bar examinations. And no one could have been prouder than our whole family.
Today, ask a kid what they would like to be when they grow up and you would still hear familiar answers, but several would also say they would like to be influencers or vloggers on YouTube or some other social-media platform. Not that there is anything wrong per se with these dreams, but it somehow reflects the kind of society that we have become. And I am bothered.
The currency for influence is no longer based on reputation and credibility built over time, but on what is popular at the moment. And ad agencies encourage this kind of behavior by putting a premium on engagement rates and reach, more than integrity built over time. Is it wrong? Not entirely. But it begs to be reexamined in the face of the increasing number of kids dreaming of becoming the next influencer or famous vlogger. What happens when every kid’s anthem is the Pussycat Dolls’ “When I Grow Up?” What then becomes of our society? I know this is an exaggeration, but do we just let all our children become famous?
Some people would say this is a generational issue and that Boomers pushed the Generation Xers and Millennials to a point where they had to fix what they have accused Boomers of having ruined. And in doing so, they became independent and self-reliant. So much so that they think they can do anything by themselves, that they forget they are part of a community beyond their age group. I am all for labels and defining generations but only insofar as it helps us understand how to work together. It should not be used to excuse bad behavior or unprofessional conduct. People today look at what is in it for them more than how they can help their group or their community. We seem to have forgotten that we are all in this together, and our actions have repercussions on our communities.
This “me” mentality has permeated every facet of everyday life and has even seeped into other generation’s mindset. Think of the Karens in the US who defy socially accepted behavior and insist on what they want because they believe it is their right to do so at their own pleasure. Or the traditional politicians in the last election who used every conceivable form of disinformation just so they can retain or regain their power. When people fall victim to these lies, the entire country suffers. Notice also that the Karens and the traditional politicians have one thing in common—they do everything they can to get what they want at whatever expense because they think they are entitled to it. Is this the kind of society we aspire to be?
There is a popular story about Margaret Mead, an anthropologist who gave an interesting answer to a question of what she believed was the first sign of civilization. She answered that it was a thigh bone that was broken and then healed.
In ancient times, if a person broke his leg, he would easily become food for other animals because he could not easily evade his predators. But a healed person indicated that someone took the time to take care of this person. She went on to say that “helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts.” What makes us civilized is our capacity and desire to help others.
In a sense, this is similar to Jean Jacques Rousseau’s concept of the social contract where obedience is subsumed to the general will or the common good. In its simplest form, the social contract denotes being part of a community of shared values and interests. The common interest of the group is followed which also means that if a ruler usurps its power, people have the obligation to rebel and uphold the common interest. In this way, both the ruler and the ruled have the duty to protect the social contract which upholds the common good.
What bothers me is how individualism has corrupted the way some people see their communities. Instead of ways of building it up, they see their communities as a means to an end—to be more popular, richer, or more influential. And it pains me when I hear a kid say he wants to be an influencer or a vlogger because they think these people earn so much in so little time. They think that it is a shortcut to their dream of becoming famous and rich. But in reality, influencers come and go as soon as the next “best” influencer comes along. What would happen then to those who have arrived at their sell-by date in the blogging/vlogging landscape? What are we teaching our children that they aspire to be famous and influential more than to be productive members of the society?
The values that we hold on to and the values we teach our children reflect the kind of people they want to be when they grow up. If we do not lay down a good foundation for the next generation, it will all come tumbling down. But if we build a community that depends on each other and enhance each other’s ability to help others, we form a base that can support the next generation of lawyers, teachers, nurses and other professionals who serve the common good. Your work now may not reflect your childhood dream but I hope it reflects the same childlike hope of making a difference to help others.
Image credits: Aqviews on Unsplash