The power of social context is less than well understood by humans today. The difficulty we all have with social context is the fact it is invisible even though it surround us [see photo].
So how, when, and why does context define YOU?
I would like to keep this simple so I will contrast a context that is closed with one that is open. I know that this is a cop out; but, I also know that this idea is complex, uncertain, and ambiguous - so I feel the need to reduce it to its simplest elements.
If you live inside a cocoon dominated by ideology, perception, patterns, habits, etc then your context is closed. Indeed it is a closed system with internalised feedback loops. This is the dominant factor which defines you. For example, you will believe that Climate Change is real and poses an existential threat to life on Earth. The reason I can predict that mindset for you is because you know that over ninety percent of Climate Scientists agree that this phenomenon is real and dangerous to human life. Naturally, I can not say that this absurd prediction will be one hundred percent reliable. The truth is you are a bundle of values, beliefs, habits, mindsets, etc based on the context of your life. In this year 2021 if you look around you will note that the context of your life is dominated by those who are close minded. This context provides continuity, predictability, certainty, and orderliness for you. If you live inside this cocoon then you are bound to be searching for meaning.
If you live outside the cocoon dominated by ideology, perception, patterns, habits, etc then your context is open. This means you live within an expanding universe and the contextual backdrop for your life is constant change. Your mindset is to second guess everything you thought, did, or believed in last week, last month, or last year. To those who live inside the cocoon you are unreliable, unpredictable, irresponsible, flighty, etc and so they have trust issues with your mindset. Remember they can not see, touch, feel, or experience the context that gives you constant feedback on life and living. Some try hard to keep up with you because your existence and persistence is a challenge to their very existence. The difference between those who are defined by an open context and those who are not is that the former seek "a purpose for life" while the latter search "for the meaning of life". The open context provides the paradoxes, ambiguity, uncertainty, and velocity of change that leaves little room for the contemplation of such bounded thoughts as the meaning of life.
Finally, I am a minimalist who has stumble upon a unique version of minimal-you and this was only ever possible because I have lived my entire life being defined by an open context.
Richard.
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