I remember vocalizing a positive opinion about Elon Musk once at a social gathering. I had indulged in some of the available punch, perhaps a bit more than I should have. I believe the topic of Starlink had been the catalyst of my fond words towards Musk. This remark was influenced by a recent read of Walter Isaacson’s cordial biography about Musk. Discussing this with another academic at the party was met with a look of pure disbelief. The cause – an unwritten consensus among us conscious consumers and societal cognitives: we simply do not endorse Elon Musk.
Our dislike for Musk is significant, dramatic even. There was a time we dreamt of cruising in a Tesla, but that aspiration has faded. Everything about Musk is seen through a lens of distaste. It’s not only limited to Musk though. We find ourselves in an era where animosity seems to be a dominant sentiment. Political affiliations have birthed a stark divide among the liberals and conservatives.
Politicians, the elite, and even the elements of material culture like MAGA hats have not been spared the harsh reception. Widespread resentment extends to social media platforms, despite their incessant usage. The wealth disparity prompts contempt against the affluent sections of society. Some harbor a resentment against immigrants.
People’s distrust of the mainstream media is blatant. Corporations and capitalism are targets of this widespread enmity too. Elements of the modern societal political culture like wokeness and cancel culture face their share of detestation. Globalization and globalists face backlash. The current political climate has incited disdain for the incumbent president.
However, there’s a reservoir of warmth too. Be it for Beyoncé, Pedro Pascal, or even for the standing president. But the prevalent sentiment of hatred seems to overshadow this affection on inspection. Why does this situation persist? The famed philosopher Descartes theorized the coupling of consciousness and existence: ‘I think therefore I am’. Could the contemporary adaptation of this be ‘I hate, therefore I am’?
It raises an unsettling question: Are our identities shaped by our animosities? If hatred is a definitive character of our identities, why has this emotion assumed such significance at this juncture in time? Why does the notion of identity occupy a primary space in our collective consciousness?
Traditional avenues that previously offered a consistent sense of selfhood appear to have diminished in their capability. We are part of an age gripped by skepticism, an intense kind exposing our institutions and their proclaimed good intentions. It isn’t necessarily misplaced either. Personal experiences often instigate this skeptical outlook.
Recounting my own, revelations regarding the exploitation of minors by priests led to an unprecedented disdain for the Catholic Church – an institution I was raised in. The bitterness endures to this day. This isn’t an isolated occurrence. Many can share similar experiences, spurred by incidents like financial establishment bailouts, decisions surrounding Covid school closures or concerns raised on President Joe Biden’s alleged cognitive prowess.