uch a widespread use of digital technologies has seemingly enabled greater connectivity among people, but at the same time, it has facilitated the emergence of the modern Narcissus, a self-centered individual who is dependent on their smartphone and the opinions of others.
How can we rid ourselves of these illusions?
The figure of Narcissus comes to us from ancient Greek-Roman mythology. The myth says that Narcissus grew up to be a young man of exceptional beauty, but also vanity. One day, after a hunt, he became thirsty and stopped at a spring to drink. Upon seeing his reflection in the clear water, he instantly fell in love with it. He remained there for days and nights, gazing at himself and desperately trying to reach his image. Physically, he deteriorated and eventually died. Even in the waters of the Styx, he could not stop admiring his own face…
Today’s digital technologies shape narcissistic men and women, thus favoring the emergence of a narcissistic society.
The phenomenon of modern narcissism is linked to the introduction of mirrors into homes.
In the 19th century, mirrors were… The mirror was once a rarity, intended for royal palaces and nobility. Slowly but surely, mirrors found their place in civilian houses and apartments, in bathrooms, changing rooms… and as a result, coquetry, fashion consciousness, and concern for appearance emerged.
Kodak’s camera in 1888 led to the democratization of photography, making it accessible to everyone. Civilian families would take photographs and create albums to show off their happiness.
Until the 1950s, photography aimed to capture the depth of the gaze of the person being photographed. The art of portraiture allowed for reaching the profound, elusive nature of a person. It was necessary, therefore, to remain serious, show a certain level of self-control, and never smile. However, with the development of film and even more so with television, new standards of photography were introduced. Smiling became mandatory, and emotions were expressed in an intrusive, superficial way, which was further emphasized by the emergence of emojis.
A smartphone as a camera Addiction to one’s own ego
The worship of one’s own ego is not a new phenomenon. All the great ancient philosophers and wise men, both from the East and the West, mention it as a catalyst for their own “narcissification”.
Today’s Narcissus is fascinated by his own reflections on screens. Reflections such as his “selfies” or photographs (again of himself) that he receives from others, his pictures on social media or descriptions of his activities… These modern tools further enhance the preoccupation with his own appearance and the need to achieve general approval at all costs.
“Likes” and comments on social media are not used for the purpose of exploring and promoting truth, but serve subjectivity and shallowness. This is the era of so-called “post-truth”.
Social media encourages us to shout our opinion from the rooftops: to show anger, to express ourselves without hesitation, without concrete participation and taking responsibility for the consequences of our statements. They often function as a way to seek validation and boost our ego, rather than fostering meaningful and constructive dialogue. let’s indulge ourselves. For those of us who are lonely in our micro world of beliefs, the only thing that matters is what we ourselves have created or adopted. In our egocentrism, we even interview ourselves. This approach gives us a feeling of unlimited power. “Everything” information is available to us, and we can create and publish our opinions without restrictions.
Filling the void and distancing ourselves from inner life
The use of smartphones effectively fills gaps, erases loneliness or boredom. There is no more “idle time” in waiting rooms, elevators, or traffic jams… That time is now filled with news, messages, or anything that interests us, available with just one click.
For ancient philosophers, solitude was necessary, sometimes even salvific. It allowed them to find themselves, engage in a dialogue with themselves, and be creative. Today, however, it is quite the opposite. Market laws and Western culture in general impose the belief that we should escape solitude because it is a sign of sadness and failure. , and we can effectively break free from it precisely thanks to the screen.
The excessive use of modern technologies, contrary to popular belief, actually leads to isolation from society, while on the other hand it prevents access to our own inner selves (with whom we can more easily connect in silence, tranquility, and solitude). Hannah Arendt, a philosopher from the last century, even mentioned promoting isolation as the main way of controlling individuals and their free will in totalitarian societies. Today, we live in a softer form of totalitarianism that fulfills our desires and fills moments of boredom. Phones and screens have become invasive, imposing themselves, inserting and offering themselves in every unfulfilled moment. Small devices with immense power! Of course, beautiful photos can be seen through these devices, but it is more important to cultivate admiration by directing our gaze to the world around us, instead of exclusively focusing on some screen.
Superficial and listless individuals
James William, co-founder of Google, who has since left the company, reproaches society “To social networks, systematic encouragement of thinking and behavior that dehumanizes.”
Practically glued to the screen of our mobile phones and the image that others send us about ourselves, we become obsessed with our synchronous self (current, adapted to the situation, superficial self) and avoid seeing our diachronic self (deep self, the one that is built and created over time). We care more about the current state we are in than our own future.
Our will is no longer ours at all, we have made it available to our smartphones, various algorithms, and electronic devices. And instead of serving us as useful tools, these devices have become our masters, they possess us.
Our tastes, moods, sometimes even our decisions, and our lack of connection to ourselves, all of which are related to the use of new technologies, leave us without will and without our own thoughts. The time we passively spend in front of interfaces is lost in this hypnotic trap.”
As it is often said, “A man who spends too much time on the internet forgets his true self and becomes a slave to technology.” James William says, “Because of that (lost time), we pay the price daily with the goals we haven’t pursued, the things we haven’t done, and the versions of ourselves we could have become if we had directed and utilized our time and interests differently.” He also emphasizes, “We must resist, oppose, and fight against these tools that rob our fellow citizens of their willpower.”
A failure of the political pact brings about the downfall of the concept of “unity.”
The international covenant on civil and political rights, which promised individual freedom and social harmony, has failed. Its repeated failures, increasingly evident in recent years, have caused deep disappointment. The most common conclusion drawn is as follows: an individual can only rely on themselves and their own perception of things. Since all subjective views are of the same type, the feeling of isolation becomes very strong. This phenomenon is intensified by the widespread confinement to our own virtual microcosms. isolation, society generates collective isolation. This gives birth to an individual tyrant, a person who measures everything by self-created values, little interested in the rest of the world, learns little and nothing. All of this increasingly distances him from spirituality, collective action, and a philosophical approach.
How to create lasting change?
To begin with, reduce the use of smartphones and social media as much as possible. In this way, we can prevent them from overwhelming us, eroding our will and causing addiction. Then, try to rediscover the enchanting beauty of the world around us. Discover our inner life. And finally, feel the thrill of collective action again. For example, Tocqueville suggested: “create as many opportunities for collective work so that people feel that they depend on each other.”
The aforementioned feeling of self-sufficiency is just an illusion. There are several ways in which we can regain a deeper connection with ourselves: by engaging in art, contemplation, , selfless volunteering, or similar.
So, simple actions that can bring life to one’s presence, as well as to others, and promote concrete connections of mutual assistance, far from the black mirrors in which the modern Narcissus is drowning today.
1 Post-truth: a concept according to which we find ourselves in a period (called the era of post-truth or post-factual era) in which personal opinions, feelings, and beliefs have more influence than objective facts.