Escaping Junk Culture
In his recent New York Times opinion piece, "The Junkification of American Life," David Brooks paints a sobering picture of our cultural landscape. It's a portrait that, while unsettling, rings true in ways that demand our attention and reflection. As we scroll through our social media feeds or reach for that bag of chips, we might pause to consider: Are we unwitting participants in a grand cultural decline?
Brooks laments that creative individuals, once driven by a passion for art, now find themselves coerced into producing mass entertainment under the weight of commercial pressures. The result? A cultural takeover by superhero movies and similar forms of escapism, a shift that has redefined art as mere entertainment.
And yet, even this entertainment industry, once dominant, now faces its own demise—Hollywood studios are laying off employees as TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms of distraction compete for attention. These bite-sized diversions require little thought but deliver dopamine hits that hook us into an endless cycle of seeking shallow pleasure.
The quest for pleasure mirrors a pattern in American society today. Opting for fast food instead of nutritious meals or indulging in click worthy content rather than meaningful journalism demonstrates a widespread craving for instant gratification that often leaves us feeling unfulfilled in the end.
As Brooks points out and psychiatrists have observed in hedonism patterns. The relentless pursuit of pleasure, for pleasures sake can ultimately result in anhedonia; a state where joy becomes elusive. The idea that immediate gratification leads to happiness often disappoints us. Leaves us feeling more isolated and empty.
In todays paced world with its demands and stressors draining our energy and self control abilities, to the core; many seek guidance from professionals, like therapists or fitness coaches to navigate their desires and reclaim a sense of balance in their lives. "Dopamine may come across as the antagonist, in this discussion; however it's also the motivating force, behind our creativity and drive for growth and advancement."
In our society nowadays the issue isn't an excess of desires but the shrinking of aspirations; individuals often opt for gratification, over pursuing loftier and ultimately satisfying ambitions.
Our culture used to be full of institutions that sought to arouse people’s higher desires—the love of God, the love of country, the love of learning, and the love of excellence in craft. Historically, institutions like religion, education, and mentorship helped elevate desires. A whole apparatus of moral formation existed to lengthen people’s time horizons and awaken their highest aspirations.
Todays our society has shifted its focus from nurturing these aspirations; therefore how can we reshape our yearnings. A higher aim? Looking back at history teaches us that individuals aspirations can be uplifted by exposing them to things that're genuinely worth desiring This dwindling cultural trend can only be overturned when individuals encounter the resonance of beauty.
Like an exceptional movie or book and music performance. Whether it be in an educational setting or elsewhere When one has savored something of depth and fulfillment it becomes more challenging to settle for anything.
