Saturday 20 February 2010

SELF

'We speak the language of the self as our native tongue. So much of the "common sense" advice that's given these days includes some variation on "self":
  • Worried about how to act in a social situation? "Just be yourself."
  • What's the good thing about your alcoholism/drug addiction/murder conviction? "I learned a lot about myself."
  • Concerned about your performance? "Believe in yourself."(Often followed by "anything is possible.")
  • Should you buy that new pair of shoes, or get the nose ring? "Yes, express yourself!"
  • Why should you leave the unfulfilling relationship/quit the boring job/tell off you mother-in-law? "You have to respect yourself."
  • Trying to get rid of the bad habit? "Be honest with yourself."
  • Confused about about the best time to date or get married? "You have to love yourself before you can love someone else."
  • Should you express your opinion? "Yes, stand up for yourself."'
Jean M Twenge, Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled - and More Miserable Than Ever Before, p.50.