“The False Gods of Modernity: Rethinking Our Heroes and Role Models.”

*Diary Entry — 2017*

Faulty role models are destroying our generation as well as social harmony.

As we move on the path of progress and modernity, we have violated certain fundamental laws of nature. The primary one is asking for more and more.

We cross the limits of our needs and land in the corridor of greed.

It drives the consumer culture that is good for business, profiteering and profit-making. Nothing wrong with that.

This, however, is just a part of the picture.

The complete picture is scary if you consider the spin-offs of mass consumer culture.

It makes you crave for more and more for your own self. You stand alone in the crowd, competing to gather more and more.

It basically turns you terribly self-seeking.

You forget about collective good. You ignore the common problems.

You idolise the people who have built huge reputations for themselves through working for their own interests.

The people who do something for the common good are relegated, unrecognised because their collection of material things is not that impressive.

The media, advertisements, hoardings—everything is flashing pictures of those who have built massive individual fortunes and reputations in business, sports, entertainment, bureaucracy, etc.

Not that they don't deserve appreciation. They certainly do.

But our definition of heroes should be extended to include eminent personalities and their socio-economic contributions in areas beyond their own profit-making.

Each and every species on Earth works primarily for its own upkeep and self-preservation.

By that yardstick, the so-called celebrities, heroes and modern-day role models are nothing but super animals.

Because what, basically, an ant does at the level of a milligram, they do at a larger scale, in tons.

In the cycle of evolution, we are privileged to occupy the top slot on Earth.

We are aware of our being. We can analyse. We have options.

So naturally, as the super species, our definition of role models has to include something extra, apart from doing something which is just a larger degree of the self-interest-driven instincts of animals.

The real role models should be driven by the feeling of responsibility for the larger domain, including Earth, environment, hunger, diseases, poverty, wars, etc.

Let a billionaire be considered wealthy not just by the money in his accounts, but rather by the degree to which he or she has been responsible for dousing hunger in the bellies of the poorest of the poor.

We need to overhaul our definition of role models and heroes to basically include their overall contribution to the greater common cause.

It is easier said than done.

These are generational changes.

The best thing is to start with education.

Children are very impressionable. Let them not be blinded by the consumerist bombardment.

A good job is not the end. Being a good human being is.

At least educationists can glorify the tales of real heroes who have been working in the shadows, away from the flashy lights of name and fame.

It is about changing the values you fight for.

Let these values be a bit larger than just the self—larger than the self-seeking, animalistic instincts.