What cultural phenomenon would you erase from history?

Modern feminism!

Islam.

Rugby

Minderbinder wrote: »

Please elaborate on your point.

I don’t think competitiveness is a phenomenon or a cult. It’s a natural thing and essential to our survival.

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Competitiveness is indeed natural, but the type of competition that is most common nowadays can only be described as 'hyper-competitiveness', this is in fact man-made, and in fact is highly destructive for the survivability of all species including humans

I don't think the thread was intended to go very deep into a topic, but yes, like Wanderer, I think there is a type of competitiveness that is closely linked to this narcissism we're all well aware of around us, and that is not the healthy, survival kind of competitiveness.

Be stronger, be faster, be better, be more productive, rise above the rest, achieve more, buy more, never stop ---ing, stand out, blend in, etc...

We are urged to both conform, and compare ourselves to our peers, and simultaneously, to detach from the group and make our mark or stand out : age group ("generation ..."), neighbours, classmates, colleagues...

In my job, although it involves humans so there are plenty of variables, I am urged to produce statistics and compare mine.

Sport, not just for its own sake, but for the competitive aspect of it, is promoted from Primary School and held as a holy grail, a healthy way to live (look at the running threads on here).

It is seen as a good thing when parents train and urge their children to compete in dancing, sports, talent shows, music... I have a child with exceptional talent in one area, she is attending classes and learning all the time, but we view competition as just one experience that is part of the overall learning process, and not a priority; I have lost count of the number of people urging to enter her in one contest or other, as if it was the be all and and all of that activity, as if it can only be sanctioned when it is assessed and compared to others' achievements.

It's not good enough to be interested in something, it has to be officially bench marked against others, and suitable rewards have to be clocked up. Actually people think you're silly or weird if you have no interest in these rewards. Picture a child with an ability in say, singing. They would be expected and urged to take part in talent shows, or if not keen on that, to at least get thousands of viewers on youtube, or even to go onto TV programs, like the little one from Cork who busked but whose family weren't too keen on the competitive aspect of it. It became an oddity, enough to be writing articles about her, and she ended up on the Ellen show ... Someone with talent with no interest in clocking up widely agreed benchmarks !

I'm thinking of the world of advertising but also social media, bloggers, influencers, life coaches, and in general, people, and the conversations to be heard in parents' circles, in schools, in work places.

And while all this is going on, and the children respond accordingly with more narcissistic tendencies as they grow, we simultaneously and confusingly reward with "certificates of achievement" that acknowledge participation more than achievement. We're sending mixed messages, and it's no wonder that new generations are confused and vulnerable.

Religion

The overuse of the work 'like'.

Humans and vegan zealots

But not necessarily in that order ...

Franz Von Peppercorn wrote:

Hmm. My niece keeps getting medals for coming mid race. I don’t think we live in a competitive age.

Disagree of course, but you do make a valid point. There will always be an element of inclusivity in society, or at least I hope there always will be, but I do believe there is plenty of evidence to support my claims of hyper-competitiveness in society. I do believe that when world leaders and politicans mention 'competitiveness', they actually mean 'hyper-competativeness'. It's becoming clearer, that power, wealth and control is becoming more concentrated as a result of this thinking, you must put on your macro head to think in this way, this is potentially very dangerous for the survivability of our species and planet.

Those gross looking big piercing holes in your earlobe. Eugh.

1980s pop music

And awful 1980s fashion :mad:

How the hell were punks, skins & heavy metal-heads etc of the 70s replaced by "New Romantics" in the 80s? I think most teenagers in the 1980s were somehow poisoned or hypnotised.