Full transcript here 👋

Hey, good morning, good afternoon, good evening. This is your life. This is your chance. Listen.

The word for today is individual. How important is individualism to you? If you live in the United States, you’re likely to hold individualistic beliefs whether you realize it or not. Check if any of these sound familiar:

• Dependence on others is looked down on (think of middle aged people living with their parents or low-income people relying on government subsidies)
• Independence is prioritized (look no further than the phrase f-you money and the lust people have for it)
• The rights of individuals take precedence (consider how the amendments to the U.S. constitution are often a platform for individuals)

I’m not trying to convince you that individualism is wrong, just that we all hold implicit values whether we realize it or not. The recent Addams Family film makes the opposite, collectivism, appear trite and even creepy in its portrayal of cookie cutter people who want you to assimilate. I’d argue, though, that any push for individualism needs a recognition that the group is still necessary and valuable. At the same time, we can widen our definition of the group to include more people.

Today’s concrete challenge is to write or say the following soundtrack: “Humans are people just like me. Nationality and race are just ideas, and I will not let them separate me from others.” Are you feeling cozy and assimilated yet?

I’ll keep the music playing while you consider the implications of these ideas, and don’t miss the soundtrack at the end of this episode.

Before you go, repeat the following soundtrack, “I am the kind of person who is able to widen my definition of us.”

Let me know if this made a difference in your day by leaving a comment in your podcast app or at concrete.win/today.

Check back tomorrow for a new challenge. Until then.

References:

Individualistic Cultures and Behavior

The Addams Family (2019)

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