We all want it. Actually, it's not just a want; it's a need. Because if we lack control, it's fear that takes its place. And that is what I want to address today; just how the idea of control is integrated into our lives.
There are two ways of looking at control. It could just mean that things are stable; that you're in your comfort zone. It could also literally mean that your in control of a situation. Whatever way you look at it, control seems to bring us a feeling of safety. Since we are holding the puppet strings, we can try and prevent bad things from happening. Control is a powerful aspect of society, but I'm not saying that it's incredibly bad or anything. On the contrary, without control, the world would probably be in a state of mass chaos; one where it probably would truly be the survival of the fittest. In a society this big, with millions of people that glow with the spark of intelligence, conflict is inevitable. So why aren't we all hunting deer and having mortal combat with elephant tusks? Because out of the masses, certain people have taken control. Governments were formed, agreements and truces signed, and the intellectual was allowed to blossom. In this view, control has kept the world in a relatively stable state. But the problem really isn't with the idea of control is it?
No, the problem is with the people wielding control. Control is just a static idea; a human being has a brain that can be manipulated like clay. Governments and such will never be perfect, simply because we are human, and our flaws allow for the abuse and misuse of control. Dictatorships, slavery; examples of control gone amok. So if we don't feel in control, we feel fear. If the people in charge lack or abuse control, some form of chaos is likely.
In the end, we can't rely on a higher power in our society to give us a sense of control. Control shouldn't be thought of as domination; it's simply being the master of your own life. It's being able to grapple with challenges without fear. To never feel regret or sadness. To be in control is to know who you are, and with that knowledge gain the ability to change the things around you.
B
ut this is just what I think. How do you view control? By all means, leave a comment with your thoughts.
There are two ways of looking at control. It could just mean that things are stable; that you're in your comfort zone. It could also literally mean that your in control of a situation. Whatever way you look at it, control seems to bring us a feeling of safety. Since we are holding the puppet strings, we can try and prevent bad things from happening. Control is a powerful aspect of society, but I'm not saying that it's incredibly bad or anything. On the contrary, without control, the world would probably be in a state of mass chaos; one where it probably would truly be the survival of the fittest. In a society this big, with millions of people that glow with the spark of intelligence, conflict is inevitable. So why aren't we all hunting deer and having mortal combat with elephant tusks? Because out of the masses, certain people have taken control. Governments were formed, agreements and truces signed, and the intellectual was allowed to blossom. In this view, control has kept the world in a relatively stable state. But the problem really isn't with the idea of control is it?
No, the problem is with the people wielding control. Control is just a static idea; a human being has a brain that can be manipulated like clay. Governments and such will never be perfect, simply because we are human, and our flaws allow for the abuse and misuse of control. Dictatorships, slavery; examples of control gone amok. So if we don't feel in control, we feel fear. If the people in charge lack or abuse control, some form of chaos is likely.
In the end, we can't rely on a higher power in our society to give us a sense of control. Control shouldn't be thought of as domination; it's simply being the master of your own life. It's being able to grapple with challenges without fear. To never feel regret or sadness. To be in control is to know who you are, and with that knowledge gain the ability to change the things around you.
B
ut this is just what I think. How do you view control? By all means, leave a comment with your thoughts.
3 comments:
That's a good point there. I think that some authority in life is needed (after all like you said, it's why we formed all these social institutions), but one can't rely on authority for everything. Some things you have to think and deal with yourself.
Well said.
Authority exists to keep a decent order I suppose; the rest is up to you.
Thanks for dropping in Z.
A world that relies entirely on authority is a dystopia, a world that has no authority is one person with a lot of empty space.
You're both basically right, finding the balance is the best we can do so far.
Feel free to add on, people!
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