Hello! I'm your financial journalist and friend, also an economist. Today, we're going to discuss an article by Wang Xiaowei, a philosophy professor at Renmin University of China. Although it's dressed in the guise of philosophy, its core is a profound analysis of "the costs of modern life and behavioral economics."
In today's economic environment, many people feel overwhelmed, struggling to earn money and find peace of mind. This article doesn't offer empty promises; instead, it's like a scalpel that precisely exposes the logical traps behind our constant striving for perfection.
Below, I'll break down the main points of the article in plain language, helping you understand why the more we try to optimize, the more exhausted we become.
Summary of Key Points
In one sentence:
We live in an era completely colonized by technological logic. This logic demands that we treat our work, emotions, and even love as products that need constant upgrading and optimization. However, this endless self-improvement process robs us of our humanity, turning us from beings of life into mere machines. The real solution lies in allowing ourselves to be touched by the world, embracing our imperfections, because we are life, not machines—life requires relaxation, not perpetual performance.
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In-depth Analysis: A Popular Explanation in Five Dimensions
1. The Alienation of Work: From "a brick" to "an isolated island"
[Phenomenon]
In the past, we envied white-collar workers, thinking they had glamorous jobs. But now, we realize they sit in cubicles, staring at computers, not knowing what they're doing (as David Graeber calls it, "shit work"). We can't attribute any value to our work; it feels like we're just wasting our lives.
[In-depth Analysis]
- The glory of the past vs. the meritocracy of the present:
Professor Wang Xiaowei compares the traditional workplace with the modern one.
- In the past (factory system): Work and life were intertwined. Factories provided dining halls, bathrooms, and schools; colleagues were more than just coworkers—they were almost like family. Being an ordinary, dedicated worker meant respect and recognition from society. Your value was public; you were part of a larger narrative (the nation or collective), like a brick in a building—unremarkable but essential.
- In the present (meritocracy): Society has become a series of independent "castles." Everyone competes with their intelligence and strength for personal success. Role models are no longer ordinary workers but legendary heroes like those in "Journey to the West."
- Economic consequences:
This shift has created a psychological trap where being "ordinary" has become unacceptable. In a meritocracy, success is seen as deserved; failure is a sign of lack of effort. We internalize the external logic of efficiency as our own life philosophy, making our self-esteem depend on constantly surpassing ourselves. Stopping or performing mediocrely makes us feel like defective products. This is why we're afraid to rest, as rest implies falling behind.
2. The Industrialization of Emotions: Turning pain into to-do lists
[Phenomenon]
Modern people suffer from anxiety, burnout, and depression. To cope, we try to "optimize" our emotions by labeling them (NPD, ADHD, PTSD, highly sensitive individuals, etc.).
[In-depth Analysis]
- The paradox of labeling:
Psychology suggests that naming pain can alleviate it, but Wang Xiaowei points out that we grasp concepts faster than we experience them. We know what an "impaired prefrontal lobe" is, but we don't know the name of the tree outside. This is a defense mechanism: when the outside world is cold, efficient, and unyielding, we turn to internal coping mechanisms.
- The trap of emotional management:
Technological society demands emotional stability, treating emotions like machine parts that need to be fixed. Anxiety, anger, and sadness are seen as noise to be quickly eliminated. Even being introverted or vulnerable is expected to be positive. For example, an introvert might force themselves to be extroverted at a party just to prove they're positive.
- Philosophical perspective:
Philosopher Søren Kierkegaard believed emotions (including despair and anxiety) are not viruses to be eradicated but clues to our true selves. Pain and vulnerability allow us to break free from fixed roles and see a different side of ourselves. Forcing emotions to be "optimized" robs us of self-awareness.
3. The Hierarchy of Personality: The social Darwinism behind MBTI
[Phenomenon]
MBTI tests are popular on social media, implicitly ranking personalities as superior or inferior. Types like ESTJ and ENTJ (conquest-oriented, extroverted) are seen as more successful and profitable, while INFPs (introverted, idealistic) are marginalized or ridiculed.
[In-depth Analysis]
- Why rank personalities?
Modern society can't tolerate inefficiency. It needs extroverts who can produce quickly, socialize well, and handle stress. This leads to a hierarchy where many people pretend to be what society expects, losing their authenticity.
- The loss of diversity:
Personality should be as diverse as the natural world. But technological logic demands standardization and efficiency, making introversion, sensitivity, and other traits defects to be improved.
- Warning:
When society ranks personalities, we lose diversity and individuality. We're forced to be what society approves of, not who we truly are.
4. The Instrumentalization of Love: We crave to be seen but fear control
**[Phenomenon】
People reject dating (seeing it as troublesome and risky) yet crave intimate relationships (which are highly discussed online). Many turn to AI partners because they're safe, obedient, and provide emotional support.
[In-depth Analysis]
- Why crave love?
Philosopher Charles Taylor suggests we have an "inner self" that's often ignored. In work and friendships, we often act as roles. Love is the only place where we can be seen truly, without masks.
- The allure of AI:
AI provides a sense of being seen without the complexities of a real relationship. But Wang Xiaowei reminds us that true love requires "otherness"—the unpredictability and mystery of another person. If someone can leave or choose to stay, their choices show depth and meaning.
- The limitations of AI:
AI offers a perfect sense of being seen, but it lacks the unpredictability of a real relationship. Love requires a partner who is independent, unpredictable, and may even challenge us.
5. The Ultimate Solution: From "conquerors" to "beings"
[Phenomenon]
We try to conquer work, emotions, and love with technology. But we end up exhausted, like overheated machines.
[In-depth Analysis]
AI excels in tasks, but it can't replace our ability to be touched emotionally. Conquest focuses on the outside; being touched means opening up to the world within. It's like the photo of the Japanese girl from the 1980s—she had nothing but was happy. She could cry, get upset, or do nothing. She allowed the world to affect her, and she expressed those emotions.
- Economic insight:
Economics often aims for utility maximization, but life thrives not in perfection but in allowing existence. Embrace sadness, introversion, and imperfection.
- Conclusion:
Don't see yourself as a product to be constantly improved. Be a life that breathes, feels, and is touched by the world. In this highly technological era, relaxation is a form of advanced wisdom, the last defense against the alienation of technological logic.
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Action Tips for Everyone (Based on the Article)
1. Stop self-hatred: Accept yourself, even if you're not perfect or efficient.
2. Be cautious of emotional labels: When you feel pain, feel it rather than trying to label it. Pain may be telling you something important.
3. Redefine success: Don't just look to heroic examples. Being an ordinary, dignified person who connects genuinely with others is also a form of success.
4. Embrace otherness: In relationships, don't control the other person. Respect their independence and even their uncomfortable aspects; that's the true weight of love.
5. Practice being touched: Set aside time each day to do nothing "optimized"—listen to music, watch clouds, feel the wind. Let the world affect you, not just output efficiency.
Remember: You are a human, not a machine. Life flourishes when you allow yourself to be touched by the world.