03/24/2024
Notes: 1. Cultural Attitudes Toward Newcomers: Societies often treat children not as full members but as candidates for humanity, undergoing a probationary period to earn their place.
2. Educational System: From an early age, individuals are put through a system of schooling that's always focused on preparation for the next stage, creating a perpetual state of anticipation rather than living in the present.
3. Career Path: The educational system leads into a career where success is always measured by the next achievement, perpetuating the cycle of preparation and anticipation without ever reaching a satisfying conclusion.
4. Retirement as the Ultimate Goal: The cultural narrative presents retirement as the time when one can finally enjoy life, but this often comes when individuals are less physically able to enjoy the things they once desired.
5. Work-Life Dichotomy: The societal system often divides life into work (which is generally seen as undesirable but necessary for income) and leisure (which is supposed to be enjoyable but is often not fulfilling due to the methods of achieving it, like passive consumption of media).
6. False Promises of Happiness: There's a pervasive belief that happiness and fulfillment are always just around the corner, with the next achievement, purchase, or life stage, leading to a continuous state of dissatisfaction.
7. Defective Sense of Identity: From childhood, individuals are conditioned to tie their sense of self and worth to external achievements and future possibilities, leading to a life of chasing an ever-elusive sense of fulfillment.
8. The Importance of Living in the Present: The narrative emphasizes the value of being able to fully live and appreciate the present moment, suggesting that true contentment comes from experiencing life fully as it happens, rather than constantly deferring happiness to the future.