Wednesday 5 December 2007

Freedom of choice translated to freedom to ignore

There are myriad of choices laid out before us and our freedom of choice becomes overwhelmed. It becomes a freedom to ignore than a freedom to choose. The data the world lays in our doorstep are abundant, too many for all to be processed. We need to separate the wheat from the chuff.

Our freedom of choice is largely employed to ignore more than to choose. Alternative viewpoints presented to us and actions suggested are not considered. A rich bank of alternative ways of providing solutions to problems already exists in the world wide web, but we can not do anything but disregard a lot of them primarily because the pressures every day life bestows upon us, are so overwhelming that give us no time to fully explore their significance and applicability. The simplified models, each of us follow, become so overriding that push their directives right in front of us demanding to be chosen. Choices alien to our needs. The pressures to be in tune with others are paramount.

People continuously talk about the freedom of choice and raise that particular quality of mind to heights unparalleled for any of the qualities the human mind possess. They cherish their freedom of will more than it deserves, even when the choices made prove to be detrimental to their lives. It becomes so overriding in providing solutions to problems faced, that ignores all other options presented.

It stems from a general behaviour prevalent in the group each of us belongs to, and as a result the principle of being free to choose become free to choose to ignore. General behaviour based on cultural norms and attitudes that have constantly been an inexhaustible source of powerful suggestions. Suggestions which lead us towards adapting norms in our behaviour as caused by an external source instead of the self. We act how we believe we are supposed to act. Qualities like self-esteem and assertiveness is driving us to succumb to suggestions more easily. As we measure our self-esteem and assertiveness by gauging at the surrounding individuals responses, taking their suggestions as guides in our pursuit of achieving self-esteem and assertivenesses and therefore tend to conform overtly to the views of others without private acceptance or experience. Exhibit behavioral compliance without our acceptance or belief.

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