I read a fascinating article the other day that suggested existential dread is closely tied to the election of strongmen leaders, even apparently predicting the impossible popularity of Donald Balboa Trump in America.
The human psyche is already tied to a negative bias based on thousands of years of ‘told you so’ when things inevitably go wrong.
Put that together with existential dread, whether it’s the fear of climate collapse, a house-sized meteor or nuclear war, and the picture is complete.
In that regard, we should be envious of other animal species because according to science, they have no knowledge of death, hence living each day to the fullest free from such trivial human concerns.
And yet there are many species which scientists also claim to be self aware: corvids, cetaceans, not to mention our closest genetic relatives, the great apes ( interesting factoid: the genetic trajectory of the human louse can be tracked all the way back to a living louse relative specific to gorillas – go figure).
All animals, however, feel pain.
Going back to existential dread, the article. I read claims that not only does it predict leaders with a messianic bent but it also reinforces deep seated cultures; as if identifying with a particular culture, religion or tribe gives us the necessary meaning to get through life.
But that is a toxic cocktail at a time when everybody should be pulling together as a species to counter climate crisis, mass extinctions, poverty and worst of all, ignorance.
Most of us in the first world have the privilege of living lives masked from the worst pain. We live in a work, sleep and play cycle amusing ourselves to death with shopping, eating,drugs and other distractions.
In other worlds, pain is never far away; a reality that the majority of humanity must endure.
Without the conceit of glugging Coke and joining hands and singing in perfect harmony, we need to at least acknowledge our commonalities.
Culture aside, none of us is ‘the other’.
I recently injured myself and, for a brief time window, experienced a good deal of physical pain ( luckily quickly dampened by pharmaceutical grade meds and care).
I noticed that pain is a very good antidote to existential dread. It forces you to give pause and step back from your insular life, and for a time, accept the comfort of strangers and the support of family and friends.
Here I’d like to give a big shout out to all the wonderful and dedicated members of the care professions: respect.
Nobody here gets out alive but with gratitude, love and a common sense of humanity we can still achieve great things.
