Beyond the Reach of Tyranny
We begin life in a state of pure freedom—playful, authentic, curious, spontaneous, and open. Yet, through the harsh enforcement of societal norms, we become painfully self-conscious. We stiffen into rigid behaviors, constantly fearing negative judgment. We lose our authenticity, become obsessed with managing our image, and shackle our minds to the oppressive conformity of our culture. We grow fearful of possibilities that lie beyond our narrow comfort zones. To call this process traumatic barely scratches the surface. But we don't see it as trauma. We're lost in a collective delusion of deeply ingrained cultural norms. Anything familiar becomes cloaked in a comforting illusion of normalcy, no matter how damaging it may be. A society that conforms out of status anxiety—driven by the need to signal adherence to fleeting social trends, the fear of judgment, and the dread of ostracism—is easy prey for manipulators and tyrants. When we deceive ourselves, erecting mental barriers aro...