[Bucephalus355]

I really appreciated your post.

There is a trend I notice where current generations use the strategy of the last generation in order to live their lives.

In a sense, they’re using strategies / ways of thinking that are often 30 years out of date.

Since narcissism is such a well known issue now, I wonder if in the future there will be a “crisis of conformity” like there was in the 50’s? Maybe going to Law School will be considered a sound investment, or the mid-west will once again be the place to live. It makes you wonder if it’s all an endless cycle of old trend, new trend, countertrend, and so on.

[grasshopperpurp]

Yes, art works this way, too. Everything is a reaction to a reaction. We're constantly trying to find balance - rarely achieving it on an individual level, likely never achieving it on a societal level.

*perfect balance

[gt_]

I agree. I just feel like elaborating on my understanding of this.

And, as in art, success requires a mix of past combined with strategic changes to what is understood of the current contextual state, which is dependent on individual conscience for accuracy, or enlightenment. Societies do not have a conscience beyond the sum of individuals who influence it’s character. Once they become influential, they establish behaviors that resemble ‘lack of conscience’ as a norm. Although individuals acknowledge the narcissistic norms, gaining influence requires conformity with them. It takes a keen and educated bunch to break the trend, hence an Enlightenment.