Over the last few years, I have noticed time and again that our society is moving in a direction that is increasingly worrying me: everyone seems to be doing only what suits them best - without considering others. You might think that this is the price of modern individualism, but it often feels more like increasing egomania. We live in a time in which self-realization is celebrated, but also at the expense of the common good. The idea of "every man for himself" seems to be gaining ground more and more, and I ask myself: where is this leading us?
The Change: From Individualism to Egomanism
I am a great advocate of freedom and self-determination. Everyone should have the right to live their life as they wish. That is one of the great achievements of our time. But what I am observing more and more often is that this desire for freedom often turns into recklessness and selfishness. It is no longer just about shaping your own life, but about putting your own well-being above all else - even if that comes at the expense of others.
Individualism used to be about finding yourself and developing your strengths without harming others. But today it often seems that the goal is to get your own way, no matter who gets hurt. Perhaps that's because we live in a world where success is often measured by how you present yourself and how much attention you attract.
Social Media: The Stage of Egomanism
I think one of the biggest drivers behind this development is social media. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok or Facebook are all about self-presentation. Everyone shows the perfect version of their life - always looking for likes, comments and validation. And honestly: who among us hasn't caught themselves scrolling through perfectly staged holiday photos on Instagram for hours and wondering whether their own life is "good enough"?
I often have the impression that social media is pulling us ever more into a spiral of comparison and self-optimization. It's always about putting yourself in the spotlight and showing how "good" you are - be it through your latest achievement, the perfect fitness program or the seemingly perfect lifestyle. It's easy to lose sight of the fact that there's more to life than just putting yourself at the center of attention.
A study from the University of Michigan has confirmed exactly that: It shows that narcissism increases significantly among young adults who spend a lot of time on social media (source: Psychology Today). The constant self-presentation increases the need to get more and more attention - and this inevitably leads to increasingly egocentric behavior.
How Egomanism Shows Itself in Everyday Life
It's not just online where this egomania is becoming increasingly apparent. I also encounter it all the time in real life - and you probably do too. Here are a few examples that particularly stand out to me:
In traffic : Maybe you know this too: You are driving relaxed on the motorway and suddenly someone comes up from behind, pushing and driving close to you, only to squeeze past you seconds later. It seems as if nobody has any patience or consideration in traffic anymore. Everyone just wants to get ahead faster and it doesn't matter who is endangered in the process. I often wonder why we so often lose any form of empathy in traffic.
In professional life : This trend is also evident in the workplace. It is no longer just about doing your job well, but more and more about putting yourself in the best light - at the expense of your colleagues. Competitive thinking is nothing new, but I have the feeling that in many areas of work today it is all about asserting yourself rather than working as a team. This "elbow mentality" ultimately harms everyone because it poisons the working atmosphere and makes collaboration more difficult.
In public spaces : Whether in restaurants, at the cinema or in the park - everywhere I meet people who behave as if they were alone in the world. They talk loudly on the phone, litter the area or simply don't care about others - it seems as if consideration has gone out of fashion. And this despite the fact that we live in a society that is actually becoming more and more interconnected.
What are the consequences of this egomania?
For me, the problem is obvious: if everyone only thinks about themselves, social interaction will fall apart. Empathy, consideration and solidarity - all of these will fade into the background. A culture of "me first" will emerge, in which the common good no longer plays a role. This not only endangers our coexistence, but also our ability to overcome challenges together.
One example that comes to mind is how we deal with the climate crisis. This is perhaps the greatest global challenge of our time, and yet many people act as if it is none of their business. Everyone does what they want, and the thought that our actions have long-term consequences for others - and ourselves - fades into the background. Selfishness here is not only harmful, but potentially catastrophic.
Is there a way out?
Despite all the negative developments I observe, I believe there is a way to curb the trend of egomania. It starts with each and every one of us. Instead of focusing only on ourselves, we should learn to pay more attention to others - be it on a small scale, in everyday life, or on a large scale when it comes to global challenges.
I firmly believe that we can only have a functioning society if we are willing to step back and think about the common good. This does not mean that we have to completely give up our own interests, but it does mean that we have to find a balance between self-realization and consideration.
Conclusion: Back to more togetherness
It is clear that egomania is a challenge that we cannot ignore. But I believe that we have the opportunity to find a stronger sense of togetherness again. All it takes is the will to sometimes put our own needs aside and pay more attention to the well-being of the community. Because ultimately, we all benefit from living in a society based on consideration and solidarity.
Sources:
Psychology Today – The Narcissism Epidemic accessed on October 19, 2024
University of Michigan Narcissism Study accessed on October 19, 2024
New York Times – The Age of Entitlement accessed on October 19, 2024
The Atlantic – The Social Media Trap accessed on October 19, 2024
The Guardian – Selfishness and Society accessed on October 19, 2024
Statista – Social Media Usage accessed on October 19, 2024
World Economic Forum – Narcissism and Social Media accessed on 19.10.2024
Research Gate – Egocentric Behavior in Modern Society accessed on October 19, 2024
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