I want to pick up on the idea of the
autonomous self in relation to media and our contemporary society. Matthias’
presentation (week 11) was very thought provoking and made me wonder about
‘identity/individuality’, media caused ‘desires’ and how the human mind is able
to trick itself.
In its definition autonomous means that one
is not controlled by others or by outside forces, but an independent
individual. Deriving from Greek, the word suggests that the autonomous self is
living under one’s own laws (auto –
self + nomos – law). This notion
causes a few problems when talking about our globalised society: for one, established
rules are meant to regulate our interactions, and enforce peaceful living
conditions – so there are certain laws in our society that everyone should
oblige, and they are not necessarily the laws oneself would establish.
Furthermore, I wonder in how far true autonomy would be really desirable.
Humans are “gregarious animals” (G. Lichtenberg), we grow up independent from
others and we most likely stay that way, always looking for a sense of
belonging, for approval and security within relationships with other humans.
The psychologist Abraham Maslow proposed his theory of the hierarchy of the human
needs in 1943 in order to explain human motivation, why we behave the way we
do. In this theory, the most important need after all physical needs are met is
Security, followed by Love and Belonging (Maslow, 1954, see
image).
When looking at the pyramid I find it quite
interesting that most ‘human needs’ to me are a given, and I therefore do not
really strive for them. In some way one could argue that this is the fact for
most people in western societies, who have job or at least receive financial support
in some way or the other and not have to worry about the most basic needs such
as food and a general sense of security. So our needs transform into desires,
and I think it would be possible to add another ‘need’ to the pyramid:
Abundance. Looking, for example, at magazines, we can see a trend towards a
thinking that puts desires on one level with human needs, creating a belief
that we ‘need’ a new car, dress or haircut. This is only possible when all
other needs are satisfied, and when we live with a sense of abundance, a subconscious
knowledge that we have enough. (However, I am aware that this is only true
for very few people...)
Furthermore, what becomes apparent in this
hierarchy, whether in large or small social groups, we are always
interconnected and want to belong. As discussed earlier in the semester this is
one of the main reasons for the emergence of so-called subcultures (yet, the
term and concept of ‘subcultures’ is problematic and not adequate to describe
the group and identity forming processes. I found a really interesting article
on the issue, discussing the term especially with regard to youth studies and
popular music. Hesmondhalgh criticises also other suggested terms that came up
in order to substitute ‘subcultures’, such as ‘scenes’ or ‘tribes’ (2005,
p.22). As mentioned in another journal entry, I am thinking of these phenomena
rather as social and/or cultural networks...).
At the same
time, we are all individuals, and want to be recognised as such. Especially
advertisement and mass media is often utilising this fact, telling us to “be
yourself”.
Saussure argues that language is only possibly through and marked by difference. The same goes for humans, trying to find their own identity, going through a process of expression. Yet, we are all interconnected, want to belong and be accepted, and most of all, have the same needs. It is very hard to figure out, what we truly need and what we are subconsciously told that we need. I think we can be autonomous only by realising that we are not. Every person will always be an individual, with a unique identity. At the same time, we will always connect with each other and learn from another, (re)creating new ideas, needs and desires.
Resources
Hesmondhalgh, David. 2005. Subcultures, Scenes or Tribes? None of the
Above. In: Journal of Youth Studies, Vol. 8 No. 1, pp.22-40. Available
online: http://www.academia.edu/1534935/Subcultures_Scenes_or_Tribes_None_of_the_Above
Maslow, Abraham. 1954. Motivation and Personality. Harper and Row New York, New York.
Source of the image of Maslow’s ‘Hierarchy
of Needs’: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Maslow%27s_Hierarchy_of_Needs.svg&page=1
