Studying contemporary American society, one struggles to find the single greatest characteristic that is responsible for the daily absurdity. Most Americans cannot afford the absurd, we still need to focus on the issue of providing for ourselves and our families but there seems to be a class of Americans with plenty of extra time on their hands to find ever new avenues of ridiculousness.
I first thought a lack of seriousness is the issue, but it seems the most absurd are also the most serious about their absurdity. If you have ever discussed almost any belief held by a POTL (a person of the left) with a POTL, you know that they are profoundly serious about their unseriousness and will go to great lengths to not only defeat your position, but as many are finding out, to personally destroy you as well.
It seems to come down to one thing – superficiality, superficiality within American society is its worst aspect – and I use the term “in” for a reason – there is a distinction to be made between society and culture. Cultures represent the beliefs and practices of a group, while society represents the people who share those beliefs and practices. Because the superficiality is not endemic to all facets and people of American society, seemingly infecting a minority segment, a culture (or sub-culture). The issue being that minority segment is now in control of government, institutions of higher education, public K-12 schools, woke corporations, social media and traditional print and broadcast media.
If we assume that cultures bear the personality traits of the people who live within them, it seems reasonable these cultures will outwardly exhibit the characteristics of superficial people, some of which are:
Having no conscience or “inner compass” to guide them. Most decent people (those who live by moral principles) remain grounded in certain beliefs and principles and those tenets set a foundation for their interactions with others and their own life choices. There are literally no beliefs or opinions that cannot be altered or rendered mute, superficial people (and cultures) are not grounded in any way. To be grounded requires a certain depth of thought, and that takes work to examine and shakeup one’s attitudes and behaviors, superficial people simply cannot be bothered with such trivialities.
An inordinate emphasis on style over substance. A superficial person is always focused on physical attraction, they place a premium on how people look, rather than who they are. Superficial people pride themselves on hanging out and hooking up only with individuals who meet their physical “standards.” They also equate their self-worth with membership in groups they consider “cool” or fashionable.
The absence of any degree of self-awareness. These folks lack the ability for introspection or self-observation entirely. They are either unwilling or unable to examine their statements, positions, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors with any attention – but since they place a huge emphasis of being with the “cool kids” (as in Item #2), they will alter their behavior. Since they have little capacity for introspection (or shame) they only change if someone of “high status” within their group admonishes them in some way. As is par for the course for any superficial person, any change based on shaming will last only long enough until the memory of embarrassing situation fades.
Being narcissistic and materialistic. Superficial people believe the adage, “There is no such thing as bad press”. Unable to grasp the difference between good and bad attention, they will overreact, spread falsehoods, make outrageous and hyperbolic statements - whatever it takes to get people talking about them again. I would also add a degree of hypocrisy to this characteristic because superficial people, especially those in public life, will almost always pursue their own personal enrichment (either financially, in status or prestige), even as they claim to be “fighting” for others. Contemporary examples are Bernie Sanders, Patrisse Cullors of BLM fame, “Luv Guv” Cuomo and Saint Anthony of Fauci.
An astonishing lack of intelligence. Not talking about I.Q. scores (though one could make a legitimate argument about this), many of the superficial POTL are highly credentialed. It is self-intelligence they lack; more specifically, a basic understanding of things like the social contract, manners, grace, gratitude, and others. To quote Reagan here, “The trouble with our Liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so."
Extremely judgmental. Superficial people are unabashedly judgmental. They will form negative opinions about someone without any evidence, often it is a “you are with me or against me” proposition. If you are not explicitly on board with them, you are evil and deserve to die. No doubt that at one time or another, everybody has held ignorant beliefs about a person or group of people or has held a position that just does not meet muster. The difference between superficial folks and rational, non-judgmental people is that the former does not normally reflexively or habitually judge others and when they do and are presented with evidence that counters their beliefs, they are willing to change.
Thrive on gossip, rumor, and innuendo. These are their stock and trade. They are backstabbers. Superficial people almost always construct scenarios where other people are bad, just to make themselves seem better, more virtuous, or more moral than other people. When a “journalist” claims a source is “someone with knowledge of the matter” - look out for what comes next because there is a better than a 50% chance it is not going to be factual.
An extreme sense of entitlement - Healthy, responsible adults have all discovered a fundamental truth about life: the world gives us nothing and owes us nothing. Either we work for something or go without, period. Superficial people possess a sense of entitlement that often dwarfs their oversized egos. They “deserve” to be rich, to have nice clothes, the best house, a new car, and the best-looking partner, just for being them.
Superficial people are shallow (by definition), so it is best not to expect much from them. They are not going to be reliable because any association or relationship with them is all about what you provide, not what they bring to the party.
While I am not qualified to psychoanalyze anybody, simple observation and deduction would seem to be enough to make this diagnosis.
What do we do about it?
Most people would avoid these people, but now that this culture controls the important institutions of American society, ignoring them is not an option. Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals” does provide ways forward, especially Rule 4, 5 and 8.
Make them live up to their own rules, ridicule and mock them, and keep the pressure on, never let up.