The Rubinshteinic Method To Fight Back A World of Superficiality

(Philosocom's Subcategory on Shallowness)

Article Synopsis by Ms. Gabbi Grace

"The Rubinshteinic Method To Fight Back A World of Superficiality" is a philosophical article that explores the negative effects of superficiality in modern society and offers a method for combating it through intellectual and emotional growth. The author uses personal insights and philosophical arguments to emphasize the importance of depth, self-awareness, and resilience in an increasingly shallow world.

The article has strengths such as its engaging and reflective tone, comprehensive structure, philosophical depth, emphasis on actionable steps, and integration of heart and mind. It encourages readers to think deeply about the issues presented and how they may be influenced by societal pressures. The references to philosophy as a way to enhance one's life are particularly powerful, linking the abstract to the practical.

In conclusion, "The Rubinshteinic Method To Fight Back A World of Superficiality" is a thought-provoking and well-structured article that invites readers to engage in self-reflection and intellectual growth.

(Background music)

Introduction: The Growing Trend

Modern society, characterized by rapid technological advancements, instant gratification, and an unproportionate emphasis on entertainment, has recklessly fostered a culture of superficiality.

Superficiality can be defined as a lack of depth embedded within something, someone, or within life itself. It's something that can make us feel empty inside, feeling that there is far more to be desired. It can be expressed in disappointment, as we expected something or someone to be deeper than they actually are.

Part I: The Decline of Wonder

As the initial impressions towards the subject fade, so might be our desire to be with them.

In the world of romance, a lack of depth in someone we once loved, could be one of the reasons we might feel inclined to leave them, as heartbreaking as it may be.

Excitement, once found mainly as children, fades slowly with time as we realize that this world isn't as exciting as it appeared to us back then. In fact, the more we learn about this reality, the more we might feel its emptiness. This can be seen as part of our maturity, as we grow up and realize that not all that glitters is gold.

Shallowness and Losing Ourselves

Losing our faith in a deeper reality, could lead us to depression, as it led me for many years. Initial excitements fade as a way to get accustomed to something or someone. Emotions, as desirable as they are, can easily distract us from the roles of daily life. As desiring as we feel to taste true love, to go on adventures and to discover this world, there are bills to be paid, jobs to do that many of us hate, and so on.

As we are focused more and more on work and surviving, we might lose touch with reality, and namely, with ourselves. From all the work we might do, voluntary or otherwise, we might forget our inner light, our hope for a better world, and our faith in love and in those who are dear to us.

We can feel hollow, for we lost touch with who we are deep down, and with our true ambitions, as we sacrifice our lives away for paychecks and for following society's flawed norms, so we won't be rejected.

This pain, slowly becoming a motivator, can grow the more we pretend, the more we mask our inner light. With our dear ones, we can feel that we are unseen, and therefore misunderstood, more and more throughout the years. We give up on our dreams just to please others, so we won't find ourselves lonely, rejected and sometimes, even homeless.

Part II: Back to the Light of the Sun

I believe that such societies that promote the erosion of our inner lights, our inner spark and our true selves in such a ruthless manner, deserve to be opposed with revolutionary potential. Either opposed, or abandoned, as we lurk in the dark and build up our own societies. Societies, powerbases of our own design, societies where we are allowed to be more of ourselves.

When our authentic selves are embraced, then, then we can not only embrace our inner light but also find that there is such "light" in reality around us. We might become aware of the beauty of nature around us, the beauty of scenery, and the beauty of love, found not only romantically, but also in our hopes and dreams. And also, exposed to the beauty of this universe's reasoning.

And for that, we must develop the ability to tolerate one another, as eccentric as some of us may be. The more we try to accept each other, even at the sacrifice of our own standards, the more compassionate we can be. The more forgiving we can be, which then will allow us to let go of much suffering.

Why We Diminish our Own Light

To me, the term "professional" seems insulting to those that are not. As if we are somehow "lesser" for NOT being professional -- Mr. John Duran

Much of our suffering can come from not being good enough, to people who might not necessarily care about us. To people who might forget our inner light, and abandon us, despite the time and emotion we invested into them.

We might ask ourselves, what is wrong with us? What crimes exactly have we committed, that made people reject us? Are we worthy? Do we deserve other people? Do we deserve ourselves?

Falsely, we can learn that we are not okay. That we need to reject ourselves as others rejected us. Then, we diminish our own inner light, cooperating with those who hurt us. And yet, that inner spark is necessary for wonder, necessary for philosophy, and necessary for love.

Part III: The Functionality of Depth

Philosophy allows us to go on intellectual adventures throughout oceans of ideas and insights, beneficial to help us realize the hidden depths of our universe. It can help us feel hopeful to live, not just for the next paycheck or duty, but hopeful for studying the truth, and understanding it.

The depths of truth can set us free from worries, stress and anxiety. It can help us better survive in this world, while letting go of fears caused by our own ignorance. The fearful mind, trying to protect us from the clutches of uncertainty, will go to long lengths to deny our painful reality.

Anxiety, while necessary for survival in stressful situations, isn't healthy for us when it is excessive and regular. This natural emotion, necessary for our self-defense, can reach an overload, which then would only harm our bodies and minds.

The over-protective mind is like an anxious, clingy mother whose anxiety brings us grief just because she is trying to protect us from the harms of this world. We may argue with her and make her suffer as a result. In reality, however, we should use the truth to not only calm ourselves but also others.

The Calmness of Clarity

Understanding the depths of this reality, that we can have meaning and reason in this world, can bring much calm to our overprotective minds.

Knowing that even in distressful times we are safe, for example, can bring much relief to both others and ourselves. Reality is filled with many silver linings. When we see reality in greater clarity, we are exposed to its logical depth. Then, we might realize that we don't have to focus on what causes us grief, but what inspires hope in our hearts.

Deep inside, many of us seek the truth in our own ways. We seek it in the honesty of others, as well in going on travels across the world and so on. We do it, because deep inside we seek to relieve ourselves from feelings of emptiness and vain. These feelings are painful for us, as our exposure to them, within our internal worlds, can make us question the reasoning of our continued existence. Of our suffering and of our pains.

Part IV: How Depth Can Make Us Want To Live

Shallowness is therefore a problem because it deters us from realizing the true depth of this world. The point of this depth is not necessarily to bore us, but to help ourselves survive. Not only survive, but to thrive. To want to live. To live by choice, not by mere consent. To live not only because others need us, but also because we want it. Thrive against the darkness of this world. Against our loneliness and against our distress.

Beauty might be subjective, but using philosophy as a way to want to live on, despite all odds... For me it's one of the greatest things. One of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves and to others. The true recognition that they are relevant, that they matter, not only in their work but also in their being. That they are loved and valued and that their inner spark does not go unrecognized.

To Feel Seen and Loved For Our Depths

It should be the contrary. Their inner glow is to be desired. Our desire should be to embrace it with our warm hearts and arms. To know, that in this largely-empty universe, we can still find reason that goes beyond mere survival. Reason that justifies our most sincere desires, and not just our needs.

Our desires reveal who we really are while our needs are there for things to either be preserved or further developed. Yet, our desires can exist regardless of our instrumental needs for food, water and shelter.

To Make Others Seen and Loved For Their Depths

The more we try to understand and embrace our own desires, we can then find others who also have these desires. Then, we can relate to them, and feel that we don't always have to compromise ourselves as much as we do in the vain world of ordinary society.

Logic has its limits, and so do our hearts. However, the fact that something is limited or flawed, does not mean we should discard it (Nirvana Fallacy). Thus, we have little reason to discard nor our rationality... nor our hearts.

Part V: Call For Greater Internal Synergy

The heart should cooperate more with the mind, and vice versa. We should use compassion and the ability to forgive, as a way to better understand people. With these two abilities we can then realize that others are also limited and flawed, and that might be fine.

Ruthlessness, either to others or to ourselves, is done out of pain. Pain and desperation. We do not have to follow Kant, and see our current policies as categorical imperatives. Instead of explaining why someone is wrong, and discarding their worth in our eyes, we should strive for a more balanced, Tao-like approach.

Yet, sometimes we have to be ruthless. Ruthless in the name of our dreams, ruthless in the name of our own survival in a largely-unforgiving world. However, as it can make us forget our inner light, that inner light can still remain, and not extinguish entirely. This inner light can help us understand the pain of others, as we can use it to heal others.

Seeing The Bigger Picture With The Heart, Too

A purely logical person would only offer solutions, not compassion nor empathy. Yet, many of us need both. Therefore, logic is limited. Limited per our lack of heart.

The bigger we grow our hearts, and the more resilient we can become, not only we would be able to survive this world without getting hurt, but also understand this world better. Understand people, understand pets and even the natural environment. Then, we can expand our decision-making skills, as we realize we do not have to always be angry with someone because of their flaws. We can question our ways of problem-solving.

No. With our inner light we could see ourselves in the person we're lambasting. We can see other people, who were very important to us, in that person. Then, we might realize how that person is very similar to people and values we wish to keep cherishing.

Part VI: The Relations of Heart, Intellect and Perception

Without our hearts, our perception of this world can alter, as we view it as a shallow reality, while we ignore the deeper parts of it.

The parts which resonate with us! The parts which make us want to live!

That is really the beauty of philosophy, the ability to wonder and to be immersed by ideas we find not only correct, but wonderful.

A Literal Love of Wisdom

And as such philosophy can be seen as something to be loved, not only to be studied, or dismissed as "irrelevant". No. Philosophy has the power to heal our pains and the pains of others. Using the fuller synergy of the mind and the heart, we can enhance the clarity of our perception, and be better able to solve the problems of this depraved, alienating world.

And this love really begins by embracing our inner light. Love for wisdom that goes beyond mere disciplined regimen, but love that resonates with who we really want to be or already are, deep inside, beyond the shallow facades we taught ourselves to put on our internal worlds.

Yet, the depths of the external world can be embraced, once we are able to embrace our internal worlds.

Perception is not only a matter of eyesight, but also a matter of intellect. The more we grow our intellect, the clearer this world can be, with all of its highs and lows, allowing us to not sink to depression and despair, so easily...

Then, to combat superficiality, we need to cultivate intellectual growth.

Final Part: Countering Superficiality: A Path to Intellectual Growth

• Engage in Intellectual Pursuits: Prioritize reading, writing, and philosophical discussions to stimulate critical thinking and expand knowledge. Try even to see this world from a genius' shoes, and then try acting like true genius would.

  
  

• Alter Your Personal Media Consumption Philosophy: Be mindful of the content you consume and seek out sources that prioritize depth and substance. Try seeking out pieces of media that relate to yourself, and not just pursue it as a way to escape your problems. Maybe use media in order to detect ideas that could solve your problems instead.

  
  

• Cultivate Self-Discipline: Develop self-discipline to resist the urge for immediate gratification, and prioritize long-term goals. Remember that addictions can distract your mind and even make you forget who you really are, as you misuse your powers for malice, as a result.

  
  

• Embrace Eccentricity: Don't be afraid to stand out from the crowd and pursue your own interests, even if they are unconventional. "The Crowd" doesn't necessarily have the innate knowledge about yourself, that you have. Ideally, you should see yourself as knowing more about who you really are, and act accordingly to your values, as subjective as they are from the rest of "the herd".

  
  

• Overcome Peer Pressure: Assert your individuality and resist social pressures that hinder your intellectual growth. The reasoning for this is the same as the one given in the last point.

  
  

• Learn Logic: Study logic to improve your reasoning skills and avoid logical fallacies. As heartful as you might be, you can improve your rationality to maintain emotional balance, and free yourself from impractical concerns.

  
  

• Expand Your Vocabulary: Read widely and actively seek to learn new words to enhance your communication and understanding. As you expand your vocabulary your knowledge increases as well, which you can then use to better solve your problems, as well as help others.

  
  

• Prioritize Depth Over Superficiality: Seek out content that challenges your thinking and offers meaningful insights. As much as the mundane answers our need for comfort, must we always be comfortable, when it can reduce our sense of wonder in our perception?

By taking these steps, individuals can cultivate a deeper understanding of the world, develop critical thinking skills, and resist the superficiality that goes throughout modern society. With decreasing superficiality, we can remember how deep this world can be, and we can remember how deep we really are.

Always try seeing the deeper aspects of things. Doing so will help you retain hope, away from the frustration of the absurd, and the anxiety of the uncertain.