Collective vs Individual.

in collectivism •  4 years ago 

This commercial has crossed my path several times. It struck me as an example of how the collective is 'good' while the individual is not.

The ad celebrates the 'small business', a term meant to elicit thoughts of individuals conducting business out of their home or a small office. There are clips of individuals packing boxes and sorting through inventory. But in reality, it is the group, 'small business', that is being celebrated, not the individual.

Why would I say that? Because an individual, tried to re-open his small CA art gallery and was subject to on-line criticism. He had to defend himself against government bullying. I say this because a barber in TX tried opening her salon, was called selfish and jailed (later released). Another barber in MI had to sue his state to re-open his small business. Each is an individual operating a small business.

Very few people cared. No one defended them with an appeal to protect the 'small business'. We were told these individuals threatened other groups, the elderly, the immune compromised. These individuals were selfish, a cardinal sin in today's culture.

America used to be the land of the rugged individualist. Many are finding it's difficult to practice that anymore. The culture sends signals like this to form groups, identify with a group, stay in the group. Venture outside the group and you are subject to ridicule and bullying in the best case or legal action in the worse. The group won't protect you, then.

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