Humanity has undergone many changes, both positive and negative, and the advent of modernity has undoubtedly provided the backdrop for these transformations. As previously stated, society is the product of the actions of individuals who shape and modify it at will, adapting to the situations that arise. But how much does society impact individuals? How can we explain the phenomenon of wanting to be equal to others at all costs to avoid exclusion? Can we still speak of the individual as a singular being, or are we all in the position of being equal to others? What are individuals like today? How has society changed?
Bauman's studies
One of the most important sociologists who has been interested in the study of modernity and consequently of individuals within this era is Zygmunt BaumanIn his latest works he has given ample space to the interpretation of the postmodernity meaning the latter as liquid and solid. But what does it mean? solid modernity It is defined as such because of its tendency to create lasting and stable institutions, which leads it to prioritize spatial and territorial connections over temporal effervescence. From this perspective, the main icons of solid modernity have been:
• the Fordist factory, which exalted standardization at the expense of spontaneity;
• the bureaucracy, who considered individuals not as individuals but as numbers;
• the prevalence of a power exercised through the model of the Panopticon by Jeremy Bentham, adopted by Michel Foucault to explain the modern powerAccording to this model, leaders were those who held dominion over time, possessing the ability to move, while subjects were those who remained immobilized in space. The former constantly watched over the latter;
• the presence of a totalitarian tendency capable of being exercised by means of a state with a high degree of sovereignty and centralization.
Within this framework, the element that stood out was a sort of right to equality and a constant aspiration to a " telos ," that is, a perfect society. In stark contrast to the solid vision is the liquid vision , the one that interests us today and in which we are immersed. In a liquid society, boundaries and social references are lost. Powers distance themselves from the control of people.
Same or different?
We live in a frenetic era, where everything seems to change in an instant, where there are no longer any reference points, certainties, or common ground. An era where it is no longer important stand out from the group ma to conform to it not only because perhaps certain values are shared but for fear of to be excludedWhat does it mean to stand out, and why should we do so? Every individual is unique and unrepeatable, but today it seems everyone is the same, not so much in their way of thinking or sharing certain ideologies, but in their way of acting and/or appearing. Today, there's a competition to see who has the most technologically advanced cell phone, who travels the most, who is the most fashionable. consumerism It has led individuals to look in one direction: that of wanting more and more, even if they can't afford it, just to appear perfect in the eyes of others, suited for a specific role. But is this really the point of being so? It's one thing to be part of the same social category, it's another to try to to conform to the crowd Doing things that don't belong to us. Put simply, a thousand-euro cell phone certainly won't give someone value and make them "enter" a social circle. Adapting to the attitudes of a group to avoid being and feeling excluded has a boomerang effect that comes back with much greater force than before because it risks destroying the very essence of that individual.
Social consumerism
In this regard Bauman states that thesocial exclusion It is no longer based on being alienated from the production system or on the inability to buy what is necessary to satisfy a primary need, but on the inability to buy to feel part of modernity. According to the Polish sociologist, poor, "liquidly," tries to conform to common patterns, but feels frustrated if he can't feel and see himself like others, that is, if he doesn't feel accepted in the role of consumer. Thus, in a society that lives for consumption, everything is transformed into a commodity, including human beings with sterile relationships; just think of how cold relationships between individuals have become with the advent of the Internet. However, this is a consumerism that is not so much aimed at possession as at the temporary use of objects of desire for satisfaction. finding them obsolete in a short time, and thus moving from one consumption to another in a sort of bulimia. Everyone should have their own style that distinguishes them even if they are part of the same social group. Not being like the others does not mean that one is out of place or not up to the task. Not being like the others is synonymous with diversity: but different is never negative.
Filomena Oronzo
I graduated in Sociology with a specialization in Social and Territorial Policies, and earned a master's degree in E-Government and E-Management in Public Administration. I love reading and writing. For me, sociology means experiencing everyday life in all its nuances and nuances. Today, I am an Administrative Assistant at the IRCCS Burlo Garofolo in Trieste, and above all, I am a wife and mother, the greatest asset of all.
