Eating Ideas
How’s it going today? I hope good things are coming your way and that present enough to enjoy it. This week I want to talk to you about something that I find deeply concerning with the current world we found ourselves living in. Then from there, bring up a thought which can aid us all in these strange times.
Beliefs have gotten a bit dogmatic in recent times. I’m sure you can say there was always an element of that in the past; but maybe due to the nature of the hyper connected world we live, where people from all around the world can share their thoughts and opinions with anyone at anytime instantly. Has cranked things up a notch.
I’ll say that I’m not against the internet or the sharing of ideas. These technologies are the reason why I can write this and you can see it. But it has opened up a pandora’s box type social experiment which we are all participating in. Some of the developments are noble ones, others are unforeseen and carry unexpected consequences.
For instance, look at the political or even just the social discourse that takes place. Far Right and Far Left groups at each other’s throats, Anti vaxxers fighting against health authorities and governments, Pro life anti abortion advocates and Pro choice groups… and the list goes on. This post isn’t about me sitting up on the high castle and casting judgement about who’s right and who’s wrong. No, instead this post is meant to highlight how ideas, oh and ideas inform beliefs by the way, can become so integrated within a person that they become solely just a mouthpiece for that idea.
The quote that I think encapsulates this concept I’m bringing forward is by Fyodor Dostoevsky:
“It was not you who ate the idea, but the idea that ate you”
It’s quite easy to see that the person being spoken to in that quote; thinks that they have uncovered some idea, consumed and digested the information then through that have gained a bit of knowledge or wisdom. But in reality, it is the idea that has consumed them, so now they are nothing more than human representatives of that idea, with little to no capacity to acknowledge anything counter to the idea they embody.
Something I have experienced and learned in life (Yeah I know I’m only 25 but that doesn’t mean I haven’t learn things right? Imagine if I hadn’t gotten to this point in life without learning anything… haha nothing going on in this head aye) is that ideas, values and beliefs that you hold have to be regularly reevaluated and challenged. That can only happen when you detach your sense of identity from those things.
It’s just something to keep in mind.
Like always, big shoutout to the Hedites who keep continuing to support and share the stuff I put out. Always such a huge help.
Also, I want to get more involvement from you the audience, so if you have any issues, topics or questions send me an email and I will try to tackle that matter for you. You can find my contact details on my site’s contact page. If you’re that lazy to click a button or two, here it is (jordanhediproductions@gmail.com)
Cheers,