We overestimate our own significance, which is why we:
- Hold ourselves back. My teenagers are terrified of looking stupid. They funnel that anxiety into nailing their outfit, avoiding phone calls and never asking a shop assistant for help. Most people barely register their existence.
- Think people give a shit. Councils think if they "tell their story" better, they'll have a supportive, engaged community. They're wrong. People don't think about Council unless they're paying a bill or pissed off about something - and nor should they.
- Construct online identities. Social media turns people into personal brands. Regular Joannes compile reels and curate photos to project a fake life. (Of all the ways the internet makes life worse, this makes the top 10 fuckedest).
This is no reflection on how loveable and special you are - to the people who know and love you, you are magnificent and irreplaceable.
But there is no cosmic significance to your life and almost nobody is watching, so do what you like.
Merry Christmas.
🎄 About 24 Days of Unpopular Opinions
This December, I'm calling bullshit, to keep you sane over the silly season. Over 24 days, I'll share 24 unpopular opinions - like an advent calendar, but filled with controversy instead of chocolate. Share widely to whoever else needs this.
Catch up on unpopular opinions you might have missed:
December 1: You don't have a strategy
December 2: CEOs are tiny babies
December 3: Women should be ugly and mean
December 4: Leaders are dry drunks
December 5: Conspiracy theorists are right
December 6: We should tell people to shut up
December 7: We should lose our Internet privileges
December 8: Self-help is a con
December 9: There's no right answer
December 10: Play the power game
December 13: We need to talk about class
December 14: Kiwis don't work hard
December 16: Money comes first
December 17: You're not important
