Everyone becomes disillusioned as they grow older. This is a fact of life, much like death and taxes. However, I've always observed that the general population deals with this by ceasing to fight against the current and instead float with it. I always kind of assumed I would do the same thing one day. I've recently noticed that the older I get, the less inclined I am to fall in line with the status quo. My hatred for society gets more intense with each passing day. I think we exist within a fucked up system and I feel like with passing day I want to get further and further away from it. I don't want to exist within this cozy little world everyone has built for themselves. Are you guys like me? Did you learn to lift your legs and float or did the holes in the fabric of society become more and more appearant as you aged? My question is this.....how the hell do you deal with it? I just want to shake people and scream "this is not real. The entire make-up of society is fucked and has nothing to do with what is real. why can't you see this??" The thing is, its probably cute to say things like that when you're my age, but older people are expected to know their role in society a little better. fuck that... thank you for listening to my rant.
I don't know that I agree with your opening statement. I find a lot of the older people around me are becoming more mainstream. Giving me even less hope that life will make sense someday. And I mean just look at all the long hairs of the 60s that became the big-wigs and big-spenders of the 80s. But I do find myself becoming more and more alienated from the world around me, as you do. I deal with it by finding things that I can relate to, and ignoring how big of a following those things have.
I agree. I was trying to say that people generally deal with disillusionment by becoming more mainstream, more mechanical. This is why politicians, just as an example, are able to lie so well. Its not because they're idealistic and believe what they're saying, its because they're cynical assholes and their youthful ideals were ran over by a mack truck at some point. But what about people who aren't able to turn their disillusionment into a cold and callus means of fitting in with society? Where do we go from here? edit: I feel like my choice of language in that post is terribly dramatic lol.
I understand what you are saying. My parents and teachers used to tell me that I would become more conservative as I got older. I resolved there and then that I would fight that with all my strength. I have mostly succeeded. How to deal with not fitting into their value system? It can be healthy to say "no" to society. But it is also easy and cheap and has the potential to be morally and intellectually bankrupt. What makes saying no worthwhile is if you can find what it is that you can say "yes" to, and then base your life on that. In other words, "Be the change that you want to see in the world." You can't change all of society, or even a large part of it. When dealing with dinosaurs, sometimes you just have to wait for the comet to make them extinct. But you can influence those you interact with. Community involvement that puts your values into practice is where one person can make a huge difference, without having to suck up to corrupt politicians.
I feel the same way, more and more as I get older I feel the need to get away from "society". And my disdain for mainstream social ideals grows with each year. For me, it's mostly because I read a lot. Politics, history, anthropology, economics, etc. The more I learn, the more I see how fucked up the history of the world has been. I see how it's built upon exploitation and corruption. The corruption goes so deep. And I see how it has culminated in a truely insane culture today. Especially in the past couple years. I read tons and tons of material about economics and history. And the more I learned, the more messed up the world became in my eyes. The truth is not pretty, although history books in school try so hard to paint a pretty picture of it, it's a totally one-sided view full of half-truths and blatent lies that they teach to us in school. How do I deal with it? I plan on moving to a small town in the woods full of hippies, where people's thoughts and worldview are a bit more broadened. Just get away from mainstream society and sheep mentality. I am living in a huge city right now, and 99% of the people here are lost souls, everyday I shake my head in disbelief at how mindlessly people are living their lives. I'm going to escape city life and never look back. I've been getting deeper into spirituality lately. Yoga and meditation. Also i've developed sort of a militant individuality. Getting covered in tattoos. Basically just going against the "civilized" world and doing what I want to do in my heart. Trying to be financially independent helps a lot too. Which is difficult for most of us. Especially people like me who are poor. But I am doing what I can to break away from being a slave to the money system. I know it gets exhausting to try to wake others up and explain the REAL ways of the world to them. But it makes me feel good to turn people on to truth. And it makes me feel good to find like-minded people. Finding friends who think alike is important. Otherwise it's easy to feel like you are the lone bull in a herd of sheep. Nowadays I just speak my mind openly, even if people look at me like i'm crazy, I just don't care anymore.
Oh. I missed that paragraph somehow. I remember reading it, but I didn't bother incorporating it into my impression. I think a key is to balance yourself. Always hold onto your ideals and you can be an island in the sea of comatose. Stay active. Whether this means politics, activism, art, blogging, or just keeping your interests and hobbies alive; refresh yourself, don't let the good parts die. We all live in our own little worlds; keep your world strong and you can orbit the mainstream, rather than have it's pull suck you in.
All i will say is you are not alone. Most of the rest has been said by the posters above me. I myself lost all trust in governments, corporations, banks etc. It's full corruption, exploitation, bending the law and rules to benefit their own ideas and plans. I try to get away from it as much as i can by not watching television or listening to the radio. I read newspapers as if they are fantasy stories or soap opera's. They only show what sells anyway there is no "neutral" reporting anymore (or has it ever been). i just hook up with friends that have the same approach to life and try to have a good time while the rest of the world goes to hell.
I had the privilege to have sat down and talk one on one with Senator Rockefeller a few years ago. I'm a veteran and we were making some commercials for his campaign. He's always been a champion for veterans. Anyway, by sitting there talking to him for about 2 hours, just him and me, we really got down on a personal level together. I really want to tell you, that guy believes in what he does and that his purpose is to do the best he can for the American people. And, because of his seniority, he's been able to accomplish a lot. I know there are many more in Washington just like Senator Rockefeller. They want to do what is right but politics is a dog eat dog existance. You get what bills you want passed, passed because you call in favors. You get favors by supporting bills for other politicians in other parts of the country for their constituates. They have to give and take. It helps to if they can sway the mdia to champion their cause. If a politician can get the whole country calling their representatives over an issue, they don't need to call in favors as much. I too am fed up with mainstream America though. I just want to strick out on my own and just go crazy! I've been tied to a job and life of rules for so long, I just want to thump my nose to society and say 'fuck all of you' and go off somewhere, grow and smoke pot! I'm rambling. I couldn't sleep so ran upon this thread. Very well written posts Meliai. Thanks.
Really good responses, friends. This website is always a nice reminder that there are people that think like me and disdain the norm. I love this. I hope this becomes a famous quote one day lol. exactly. Its a giant web of corrupt power, its an old, deep-rooted web, and this web influences almost everything that the average person does. Its insanely disheartening at times. I wish the average person read more and did more research and self-education. If the general population had more of a clue, the entire system would collapse under the weight of that knowledge. I would like to move to a small town in the woods. I really just want to live on a farm with my friends and completely turn my back on civilization. This is my ultimate goal one day. I think a huge part of my dissatisfaction is I live in the suburbs right now, so every day I give the oil companies money to put gas in my car, I get on the road with people who are angry and full of rage, who have no idea how to appreciate what really matters, and I drive past corporation after corporation on the way to my own soulless job. And I know a little too much about the evil of each corporation because I read about things too and I do a lot of research. Its depressing. I see the emptiness in all of it. I need to live in the country and I need to write and live off the land instead of depending on a corporation to pay my bills and put food on my table. My problem is breaking away from being a slave to the money system will require a few years of slaving away. I would really like to put myself in a situation where I can be self sufficient and away from the monetary system completely. Due to property taxes, this will never be 100% possible. Ditto. I've turned my back completely on any mainstream television, music, news, etc. And my friends have been and will continue to be my salvation. Thank god for like-minded people. I was watching a documentary about Jimmy Carter the other day and one thing that really struck me is they were talking about how, even though he had great ideas and was a really great man, he had absolutely no clue how to work the political system. He didn't know how to call in favors, work his party, or use things against others to get his way. I think its sad that of a genuinely good person with no sense of manipulation is ultimately looked down upon as a bumbling, ineffective president. Do it! why is this life goal delegated to the fringes of society while ladder climbers that step on others on their way to the top are applauded?
Disillusionment is a good thing. When we are happy and satisfied we become complacent. When we are disillusioned is when we are given the incentive to change things at least personally. I realized long a go that everything is connected and interdependent and creates a long series of interconnected chain events. If you change just one element in this chain of events you change the whole outcome. That is all you can really do. Just change your interaction with the Universe and you will in turn change the Universe. Stay Brown, Rev J
There are days that I get entirely fed up at the system and get depressed at the mere thought of the future. I have children and I wonder what are they being left to deal with? I find there is a big lack of community in the world and that as humans we need that sense of belonging and community and for many of us, it is not there. We are a disposable society whether it is an old tv or a relationship, I just get the feeling for the most part we are out there flailing individually, or maybe it's just me?? I think the only thing that really that gives me any meaning of living, is my personal relationships. and maybe that is where I get stuck since I value my personal relationships but feel there is a lack of community and that people dispose relationships readily.? Ultimately, my goal is just to be chill, have a smile on my face, and keep remembering this too will past. I might not be able to change the world but I can work on not letting the world change me.
My views on society, corruption , poverty etc have never changed since the late 60's. I will never become complacent or just "go with the flow". If one truly has ideals that come from deep within, age should not water them down. With age comes experience and with experience comes a deeper understanding. Keeping fighting for what you think is right is a lifelong commitment!
I Highly recommend reading Chris Hedges' "Empire of Illusion". It makes everything so clear. He really puts his finger on why it is so emotionally and intellectually frustrating to live in a society like this. There's something cathartic about having someone really probe the issue... it's validating.
Hi , i havnt wread all the comments on here just some{ive just woke up} though i would probably agree with them all. So ,how i see you are seeing society in general , CONGRATULATIONS !you appear to have a functioning brain , problem is my friend ,be prepared ,its pretty tough at the top of a ladder ,sometimes only room for one . We probably cant change the stupidity of most of societies thinking ,like someone said in a post on here ,we cant change Dinasoirs, The thing about Rats ,is theres only one of 2 things you can do ,, iether kill it or walk away , i chose to walk away . Best wishes to one and all :2thumbsup:
We become the change we want to see. It doesn't happen at once. I had to make a decision and then set goals. I've worked my butt off buying a little farm while raising two sons and learning how to live with others that don't have my exact perception of how things should be. I've had to work within the system while making my own ideal of reality. Life has thrown up many obstacles and at times it feels like 'the world' doesn't want me to succeed in my ideal, but I dont give up. Keep your eyes on the prize is what I keep telling my self. In the meantime I've been creating my own little Eden. Attitude and perseverance are the key. I too have to give my time to the corporate world but I also give to those that arent as fortunate as me. I believe in Karma and its so true. Also, 'Do unto others as you'd want done to you'. Is a code to live by that wont steer your wrong. Making our dreams come true is hard work. It's essential to find others to help build the dream. Becoming jaded and disillusioned is a powerful spark for change. Keep on keepin' on friend.
