It Made You Who You Are Today
But is that a good thing?
It made you who you are today.
That's something people say from time to time. They usually say it when they think back over their past and regret some kind of mistake or wonder about a path not taken.
And then they'll say, "well, I'm glad it happened, it made me who I am today."
That's an interesting phrase.
"It made me who I am today."
The saying implies that you could have been somebody different today.
More importantly, it implies that you have been made (as opposed to born) the way that you are.
You have been MADE.
I've said before that code programs computers and media programs people.
But the truth is, nearly everything you think comes from outside sources: media, advertising, your parents, your friends, your spouse, memes.
These influences all create the memes or programming that made you who you are.
But Who would you be without all of this programming? What if nothing and nobody had "made" you? Would you even exist?
"You" are somewhat of an illusion that has been made by society.
Children don't think this way. Children exist in the moment.
If you undo everything that society has "made" you into, there is little left except experience, enjoyment, love and yes, hopefully, happiness.
So next time you find yourself saying, "Well, I'm glad it happened, it made me who I am", stop and ask yourself, is that a good thing?
And then begins the long and painful process of unmaking ourselves...
Technology and marketing changes so fast now that the person I was ten years ago is no longer relevant. I’m having to re-make myself (not my personality) but how I exist in time, space and work. Trying to keep up with new social media platforms and their ever-changing algorithms is a source of stress, at least for me. Every system in our house is now computerized, my banking system is constantly changing, my car thinks for itself. I live by reading manuals. My days are loaded with learning how to use everything I buy or use. Then there’s the changing world of art marketing - more to learn and do. It’s difficult to get my mind to relax enough to get into the zone of making art. Not complaining… just a totally different world; requiring me to think and act differently.