Without Our Tribe We Become Narcissistic

Narcissism Is Increasing. So You’re Not So Special

By Arthur C. Brooks, Feb. 13 2016 (LINK to article)

The fact is that the world does appear to revolve around ME, and it is my pain and pleasures which I experience directly. Those of others pass me by almost completely. It is the rare exception when they don't, when it is some one I feel close to and empathise with, and even then, its hardly the same. One may be distraught at a loved-one's pain, but you still can't actually feel it.

It is also a fact that we evolved as a member of a tribe, whose well-being and survival was more important than the individual, which resulted in us evolving to experience more profound pleasure from serving our tribe than just ourselves.

Then along came the state and did away with our original tribes, with the modern, "nation state" deceitfully posing as our tribe or nation itself, in order to legitimise itself, its ruling elites and the immense power they wield and abuse, not for the benefit of society at large, as they claim, but to facilitate its SELF-exploitation to their own, personal advantage and that of favoured (especially wealthy and academic) clients, at the expense (and ultimate self-destruction) of society at large.

Why is this not recognised by the academics we look to as authorities in understanding society, the state and civilisation?

Because the deceit works for them, as it does for everyone who is anyone in society, thus binding us to a tragic cycle of civilisational boom and bust.

As western civilisation approaches the bust phase of this cycle, the question is, can we put an end to it, BEFORE it puts an end to us?  We have the potential, I am sure, but do we have the will? Time will tell.