Status Anxiety

12May08

                          

      Hello reader.

     Today I’ve chosen to take a few minutes to bring what I call a ’shadow-topic’ to the forefront of your attention. Author Alain de Botton wrote an insightful book on this subject aptly called Status Anxiety, which was published in 2004. De Botton raises the issue of lifestyle obsession juxtaposed with the economic and social pecking orders, where we stand on that ladder, and ultimately how we believe this affects our self-worth.

     Status anxiety is responsible for a large portion of societal misery. The concept of status is born from the theory that one person is “better” than another, or that their personal wealth and/or influence should reflect how much respect they “deserve” from others. Fortunately this logic behind status exists nowhere but in the human mind, and there is no basis whatsoever to suggest that status should affect the way we see ourselves in society.

     The true essence of happiness is being completely content both in who you are and what you are doing with your life, irrespective of whatever opinion others may have of you or your chosen profession or past time.

     I personally live in accordance with my instincts, and with the inspiration of mother nature. These two empowering entities, coupled with a strong sense of optimism, have made for a fulfilling existence. In all honesty, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Not caring about status or others’ opinions lifts a tremedous and unnecessary burden off our shoulders. It is only there because we form the idea in our head that it matters, when in fact it does not.

     When we look at what we are, it becomes even more simple. If we break it down to cells and atoms, which is what we are literally made up of, and break it down even further, we see that behind the atoms themselves is pure energy. This is true when looking at every living or moving thing. Our bodies are merely shells. Beyond that shell is the machine, the mechanics that make the body function. Beyond the mechanics is the magic. Pure energy. This realization can open a new door for the mind; the concept that, at the most fundamental level, we are all exactly the same. The beggar, the millionaire, the struggling artist, the priest, the soldier and the passer-by on the street.

     The above is to exemplify why status is a flawed concept which really, when looking at it objectively, causes nothing but stress and dissapointment on a personal level, and widespread societal discord on a local, even national, level. Take inflation for example. Many of us scramble to buy the “best” houses, the “best” cars, the “best” TV’s, the “best” clothes and so on, in a perpetual game of catch-up. The phrase “Keeping up with the Jones’ ” is particularly apt when looking at status-anxiety.

     It is saddening that such a thing exists (albeit psychologically), because it misrepresents true human nature, warping it in such a way as to yell out “Hey, THIS is what is important” and “THIS is what life is about!” It is a media-distributed lie. A certain propaganda which is carefully designed to sustain the status-quo of class divide. One may be curious to know: Why?

     Because status means everything to those who are on top of a pecking order, and It means everything to those who aspire to be on top of a pecking order. It is a human tendency to emulate people, especially those we look up to. However, as media has become more sophisticated this tendency has been grossly mutated into something materialistic and embarrassing. It is now a blatant expectation that consumers be “in vogue” not just with a product but with the societal trend of acquiring status. Status Anxiety has the capacity to create physical burnout, tremendous resentment, self-pity and the collapse of general harmony, which is why it is irresponsible of the media, and of individuals, to put any importance at all on status. Instead, the focus should be shifted to why status is not important rather than trying to make up reasons for why they think it is.

     To anyone suffering from this unfortunate problem, I say this.

     Take a step back. Ask yourself, why are the most simple, nomadic people on earth also the happiest? Why are the communal Norwegan and Swiss villagers more happy than say, high-rise dwelling Manhattan residents? Why is affluent Sydney Australia’s ’saddest’ city? How is it that those with the least worry the least, and those with the most worry the most? Is Tyler Durden’s famous Fight Club one-liner the clicher? “The things you own end up owning you.”

     Dare I say, yes.

     But what would I know? I don’t drive, I earn less than $50,000 and live on the Central Coast  :-)

     – BJH

    

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Tags: perception, status anxiety, stress