Cyclical nature of influence
Forward Illusion or circular progression?
Any truly compelling influence should ultimately guide you back to its origin, giving the impression of continuous progression and a purposeful direction. A transformative journey—one that evokes thought, stirs emotion, and inspires meaningful change—can only resonate deeply if it naturally leads the observer to that realization on their own. While change can be imposed, it is rarely sustainable unless it aligns with the individual’s instinctual desires.
Human curiosity, a driving force in our pursuit of understanding, is perpetuated by exploration. To present knowledge as the final answer is to stifle that curiosity, which is an affront to human nature. People are drawn to those who exude confidence in their understanding, believing them to hold greater truths. When someone appears to have all the answers, they become a focal point for others' direction and purpose. In this way, we conform to the source of these "answers," allowing them to direct our lives.
Why do we idolize people, ideas, or material possessions? Because they seem to represent the answers to the questions we seek. They become beacons of understanding, shaping our actions and decisions. This dynamic is evident in all great movements—and in not-so-great ones. They tap into an individual’s yearning for truth and meaning, an instinctual desire that exists in every person. Is this yearning not the most potent and often unnoticed mechanism of control? A form of influence so pervasive it operates invisibly within the collective mind? One that gave rise to theories like Group Think and Social Learning Theory?
To break free from this control, independent thought is essential. Only through self-awareness can we recognize the strings that direct our lives and learn how to detach from them. Without this realization, we risk existing in a loop not of our own design. Hence the cyclical nature of influence. In a world that prizes certainty and reinforces it with a sense of urgency, the ability to pause, question, and step outside these constructs is not just valuable—it’s vital. Uncertainty bleeds humility
#BuILtIn
N.B.: My dive into Plato's Allegory of the cave sparked these thoughts in the sense that I can be mesmerized with what's right in front of me and loose track of what I instinctually believe to be true. Regaining agency over my mind is still an ongoing journey. I do know that true understanding must be experienced and not learned.
A YouTube video that breaks down the Allegory of the Cave Very neatly by After Skool;