Control or Surrender?

This episode is centered on control, power, and the many ways it manifests itself in our day to day. I was really excited about tackling this topic for a number of reasons, one of which being, in our last episode, we talked a lot about trust, and then the episode before that, it was all about mating and the shifting dynamic between men and women in today's society. To me, a conversation on power and control was the obvious next step. I do also have a personal connection with it, as my therapist would surely tell you, if she wasn't bound by client confidentiality. But it's not that rare. Actually, I and many people alike have an issue with feelings of control. Whether you feel like your life is out of control or your spouse or partner is too controlling, the concept of wanting to have a say in what happens to us and around us is totally natural. ****. Wars have been started for less, and what's more human than war? Vying for power and control over territories, control over resources? I could go on, but I won't, because I think you get the point. Point being that the idea of control in our society is unfortunately nothing new. It offers a sense of order and stability in an unpredictable world, allowing people and institutions to exert influence over their surroundings. Hey, speaking of, have you guys heard that we're supposedly now in the age of influence? Yeah, I just recently heard the term, and apparently it's like a docuseries on Hulu now, too. But the term speaks directly to how influencers on social media have a certain level of control over what we as consumers use, buy, support, et cetera. And that fact is so insane to me. I mean, it's an insanely good name, too. It really rolls off the tongue. So props to whoever came up with that in the boardroom. But it's also insanely accurate, unfortunately. I mean, out of the lineup of the past few generations, millennials, baby boomers, Gen Z, et cetera. Gen Z? Despite being obviously the most tech savvy, was actually ranked the most likely to be influenced online. But just the idea that we're so easily swayed as a society is scary in itself, especially considering how much of social media is being dedicated to tracking and driving our actions and opinions one way or another, whether it be politically, socially or otherwise. It really ties into how much trust we have in the system that governs us, as we spoke about briefly last episode. And I mean, come on, that's just the Internet. What's more interesting to me, though, is we're all so pressed press to control and govern ourselves, make our own decisions, limit government or outside control when it's nearly impossible to truly have 100% self control anyway. It's like how kids and teenagers are in such a rush to grow up without really knowing what it's like to do so. I mean, it's a nice thought, but truth is, as humans, like 90% of us, can't handle that ****. Like, people were asked why they self harm, right? Cutting skin, picking, burning themselves, et cetera. And researchers came to a conclusion that a fair amount of them just wanted to feel in control of something because they lacked that feeling of control in other areas of their lives. At least this thing, this one thing, this behavior, is something they can have complete control over. And that makes perfect sense to me. Control makes us feel powerful. It makes us feel confident in our power. But a lot of us would misuse it if given the chance. I mean, just look at how corrupt our government is. I just find it so funny that we have no problem with control when things are going well for us, right? When they throw us a bone when you get a stimulus, we're happy. But if you're say a slave and masked and whip you this month, are you content? Are you happy with that? No. You would still want to be free overall. And that's a kind of touchy analogy, I know, but it's almost like, say, Stockholm syndrome in this country at this point. It's like we're trapped in this system, wanting to be led but not wanting to follow at the same time. Isn't that weird? In my opinion, a lot of us just don't want the responsibility that comes with true power and control. Like, I read an article that said 54%, you know, a majority of Americans say that the federal government has too much power, while 39% say it has about the right amount and 6% says too little. Taking it back to the last episode here, why don't we just trust ourselves? Why would we rather put trust in an outdated, corrupt system that clearly isn't working? I mean, granted, it is working for about 1% of us, but the idea of the 99% standing up and finally saying enough is enough seems like the far fetched plot of some book or movie