Belonging: close or intimate relationship
Who wouldn't want that? Right? Isn't that one of life's great pursuits? I'm pretty sure Belle and Sebastian dedicated an entire album to it. And to be fair to the rest of art.... MUCH art is either dedicated in some way or created to get nearer to this inate desire for a "close or intimate relationship."
Now, this desire for a close or intimate relationship doesn't need to be fulfilled romantically. In fact, I would argue that this need for "belonging," is more often fulfilled in our live's by connecting with some sort of idea, group, community or team. For example, as a child I was a devout fan of the Detroit Red Wings. If you were a Colorado Avalanche fan I immediatley despised you. No joke. It would have been very difficult for you to convince me that you had any redeaming qualities.
This is of course rediculous and while I still root for the red wings I realize that the same fervor and affection I have for my Wings, Colorado fans have for their "lanche's" ---(how do you abbreviate Avalanche?)
That whole "my" Red Wings thing is where it gets weird though. People get so invested in their sports teams, their politicians, their religion, their favorite bands that they attach them to their identity.
Identity: the fact of being who or what a person or thing is
When someone or something threatens "who or what you are," you are hard wired to respond defensively. You are conditioned to protect yourself. It's innate. You are under attack. If someone is taking the Christ out of christmas, you are going to get pissed because YOU are under attack because you identify strongly as a christian. If someone is drawing a picture of Mohammed, you are goint to get pissed because YOU identify strongly as a muslim. If someone says Steve Yzerman is an overrated pussy then... well, then that person clearly doesn't know anything about hockey, but yeah... I may feel a bit threatened because a part of me still identifies with being a Red Wing fan.
We have this innate need to belong to something and this need is a GOOD thing in many regards. Hell, it may be why a lot of people seek out Hubski or other aggregators. We are pack animals, we need each other. But, it would be nice if we didn't need to go outside of actual inerpersonal exchanges to seek belonging. I'm pretty tired of religion. I'm really sick of it.
I'm also very tired of politics and nationalism. I like Bernie Sanders a lot. I've given the guy money and I've convinced no less than 8 people to vote for him, but I don't "identify" myself as a Bernie Sanders supporter. If someone doesn't like him I don't feel threatened.
I'm getting tired of all the hurt that the need for "belonging" is causing in the world. It's a real shame.
John Lennon famously sang, "I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me." --I think this is about where I'm at with things.
So, I used to identify as a Red Wings fan. These days, I would answer the title of this post with "I'm a musician." or "I'm a father." rather than I'm a ___ism." What about YOU?
How would you answer the question, "I'm a ____?"
I might say, "I'm a Hubskier."
:-)