The 21st Century Makings of a Sociopath
One moment you find yourself in cinema 3 enjoying David Lynch’s ‘Elephant Man’ and the next, you’re making your own ‘freak show’ of discovery in your personal life. When something unsettles me, I’m compelled to somehow justify really unjust actions. I’m always looking for the ‘why’ - which unfortunately is often unclear. I lead a surprisingly fulfilling life despite this, even though the ‘Whys’ of life eat my insides.
The Elephant Man' unfolds as a true story steeped in dignity but surrounded by the darkness of greed, apathy, and exploitation. Life's ironies are never lost on me, so the discovery of a betrayal akin to sociopathy mere minutes after drying my tear-streaked face with a Dyson hand dryer post-film was initially darkly humorous. However, as I sat overnight with this revelation, the deeply empathetic lenses through which I view the world compelled me to articulate my thoughts through the notes app on my phone. Thus, I endeavor to express my 'fly on the wall take': The 21st Century Makings of a Sociopath.
Joseph Merrick, famously known as 'The Elephant Man,' was born with numerous unidentified deformities. Rejected and mercilessly abused for his appearance, he was coerced into performing in a traveling 'freak show,' enduring beatings, starvation, and exploitation for profit. Those who flocked to witness his deformities made no effort to conceal their disgust. Despite his immense suffering, Merrick retained a tender, kind-hearted nature, a testament to human resilience in the face of cruelty. The relevance of Merrick's story to the makings of a 21st-century sociopath is profound. Parallels can be drawn to social media, often serving as a modern-day 'freak show display,' blurring the line between acceptance and exploitation in a world increasingly tolerant of sociopathic behaviors.
As a non-expert, I do not lay claim to qualifications or academic authority. Don’t reference me in your psych 101 class. I’m just a girl standing in front of a digital audience asking them to… like and share. Excess consumerism, materialism, and the pervasive influence of social media have not augmented but diminished empathy. The societal obsession with validation through likes, followers, and virtual approval has engendered a culture of narcissism and ego-centric behavior, fostering an acceptance of apathy and excess. Living in a world where technology-reliant society is the ‘only way to evolve’ is ! Scaring ! Me !
Sherry Turkle's insights from "Reclaiming Conversation In The Digital Age" resonate deeply. She argues that technology while promoting connectivity, has eroded genuine human interaction—the cornerstone of empathy and intimacy. The incessant pursuit of digital connection threatens to sever our ties to authentic human connection, substituting genuine dialogue with superficial validation.
“Across generations, technology is implicated in this assault on empathy. We’ve gotten used to being connected all the time, but we have found ways around conversation — at least from conversation that is open-ended and spontaneous, in which we play with ideas and allow ourselves to be fully present and vulnerable. But it is in this type of conversation — where we learn to make eye contact, to become aware of another person’s posture and tone, to comfort one another and respectfully challenge one another — that empathy and intimacy flourish. In these conversations, we learn who we are.”
In the debate between nature and nurture, the environment emerges as the dominant force shaping our behavior. The digital landscape, with its voracious appetite for validation and instant gratification, fosters a 'me-first' attitude devoid of empathy. The ubiquity of selfish actions, coupled with societal denial and objectification, underscores the pervasive nature of sociopathic behaviors in the digital age.
We are inundated with metrics of validation—follower counts, likes, and 'influencer culture'—propelling an endless quest for societal approval. While these tools can amplify creativity and community connection, they often succumb to the corruption of quantity over quality. The cultivation of a carefully curated online persona prioritizes attention-seeking behaviors, ultimately feeding the greed of the digital 'freak show host.'
Yet, amidst the societal pressures towards sociopathic behavior, individual agency and resilience persist as formidable defenses. Whether through off-the-grid living or self-awareness, critical thinking, and mindfulness, we possess the tools to resist the allure of digital excess. However, there is a palpable lack of self-awareness and prioritization of self-reflection, which could shield us from the pitfalls of social media's identity crisis.
We are all complicit to varying degrees—some in denial, others fearful, and many indifferent to the 'me before you' ethos perpetuated by modern media. The 'why' is glaringly apparent, but the path to equilibrium remains elusive. Christian Bale tried to warn us in 2002, yo! How do we preserve our empathy in a world that pressures us to relinquish it? How do we uphold our dignity, mirroring Joseph Merrick's resilience in the face of adversity?
Equilibrium, 2002.
I advocate for digital literacy education, offline interactions, and community engagement as antidotes to the perils of digital excess. By fostering a culture of mindfulness and self-reflection, we can navigate the digital age without forfeiting our integrity. While the allure of the digital 'freak show' may persist, there is a path forward—one that values quality over quantity and human connection over virtual validation.
(My next trip to the cinema will be for a comedy.)
Day X