Sunday 13th August

I have deliberately written Selfness, which is different from selfishness (which we may visit later).  Selfness is the putting oneself and one’s own interests above everything else.  It is the opposite of being a part of a society.  Almost since humans first walked on this planet we have been sociable animals, operating in small groups where everyone knew everyone, and each individual worked collectively for the group.  But the development of Capitalism has brushed this aside.  Now, most of us live in cities.  In cities it is impossible to know everyone, and even the few you do know may be scattered, coming together only for work or clubs.  And with the internet, we do not even have to meet or to know what our friends look like at all – they are simply names and memes we recognise as part of our ‘circle’.

And this very isolation brings with it Selfness.  We are taught from an early age to strive for good marks, excellent exam results, personal ambition to the fore – it is a tough world out there and to succeed you must excel.  And push hard.  Put yourself and your interests, your career, your ambitions – First.  We are taught that everyone can achieve their dreams – but of course that is not possible.  We also equate success with money and fortune.  The highest paid must be the best.  But all of this Selfness deprives us of real happiness.  Working together, with others is far more rewarding than anything you can achieve on your own.  Being part of a caring group of friends is far better than simply achieving, gaining wealth and status are pointless unless they can be shared.  Selfness is the essence of Modern Conservatism; each individual looking out for themselves – and the devil take the hindmost.  It is now one of the modern deadly sins and on the increase.

And as you get older and look back, what have you really ‘achieved’.  All materialism is illusion, a false god, a pointless exercise.  Sharing and helping others is what being a person is all about – not Selfness at all.