[How About This Book] The Dilemma Faced by Modern People... Is the Problem Me or the World?

Unlike the Past When We Adapted to Our Environment, Now We Become the Masters of Our Own Lives
Widening Gap Between Ideals and Reality, and the Burden of Choice... Increasing Anxiety and Depression
To Live as Our True Selves, It's Time to Ask 'Why' Rather Than 'How'

"It's not my fault." This book begins with this phrase, commonly uttered by modern people as a habit. While it may sound like an evasion of responsibility, the author, a supervising professor at the Graduate School of Sociology at China University of Political Science and Law, diagnoses it as "closer to a murmur about the basic logic of how society operates."

Behind this diagnosis lies the individual who exists as a ‘tool.’ Humans have functioned as part of social systems, intertwined with the lives of others within communities. Especially after the Industrial Revolution, as division of labor intensified, individuals were increasingly regarded as ‘means’ and tools. As a result, responsibility for structural problems was frequently shifted onto individuals.

However, this phenomenon did not significantly affect individuals’ emotions until modern times. People lived conforming lives within ‘mechanical solidarity’ based on blood relations, regions, and religion. In societies with strong religious beliefs, the purpose of life was already determined by doctrines and traditions, and it was natural to silently endure worldly hardships for the sake of the ‘afterlife.’ Additionally, values such as loyalty (忠), filial piety (孝), philosophy, and ideology guided people to find the meaning of life outside themselves. "When examining the ‘value domains’ where people in traditional societies placed the meaning of life, one commonality can be found: meaning was sought not in ‘myself’ but in external domains such as religion, politics, family, and ethics."

The problem began to emerge seriously when the awareness that ‘I am the master of my own life’ took root. In the past, life was accepted as ‘given,’ but now more people view it as a series of choices and pursue ‘self-realization.’ However, as the gap between ideals and reality widened, people realized the limits of human ability and will, and experienced shrinking under the pressure of responsibility for their choices. Although there are many options, problems that cannot be solved by individual effort alone have increased, leading to sighs of "It's not my fault" everywhere. The author points out that this is a cause that deepens modern people's anxiety and depression.

"Modern people do not seek the ultimate ‘meaning of life’ in ‘external’ sources such as heaven described by religion, the sacredness of monarchs, or ancestor worship, but try to find it in their own bodies and lives, only to experience ‘disillusionment’ each time. (...) For young people, the boredom of ‘not knowing why they should live’ seems to have become a fixed value. Perhaps wandering in search of the ‘meaning of life’ has become a kind of ‘sign of the times.’"

This phenomenon sometimes leads to escapism. The author explains that modern people, unable to find the meaning of life and experience true freedom, enjoy ‘illusory freedom’ in the anonymous online world. To avoid the burden arising from the gap between the ‘real me’ and the ‘me existing in others’ recognition,’ they hide in online spaces free from evaluation and judgment. "They want to be understood and loved, yet fear socializing with people and strongly dislike being hurt in the process. (...) The online world offers modern people the greatest possibility and stage to freely show themselves without being hurt."

The problem of escapism deepens as algorithms dominate online spaces. Personalized content recommendation technology, reflecting individual preferences, is certainly convenient but also has great potential for misuse. The author warns that algorithms operate within a ‘depersonalized order’ and that there is a risk of cognitive colonization depending on the intentions of those who design the technology.

"Algorithms can be ‘processed’ by people according to various purposes and tastes. In other words, the direction of algorithm operation can vary greatly depending on the values and goals of the designers and creators. (...) If continuously exposed to such personalized information over a long period, the form and appearance of our lives can gradually be redefined in new directions regardless of our own will."

Although there are positive effects of good algorithms, the author views this issue critically. In the past, information was monopolized by a few, but now anyone can produce and disseminate information through smartphones, increasing confusion. Malicious editing that distorts facts and indiscriminate spreading by ‘bystanders’ cause serious harm. "A kind of ‘decontextualization’ is reflected in the expression mechanism. When this mechanism deepens, objective understanding of the truth of events becomes difficult, and the online space becomes a hotbed of cyber violence where ‘abstract opinions’ and baseless malicious comments run rampant."

This phenomenon also connects to the current chaotic domestic political situation. Those caught in fandom algorithms spread false information to attack opposing camps, affecting real society beyond the cyber world. Particularly problematic is the attitude of accepting only limited information and not valuing truth. "One important thing modern people forget is that the ‘truth’ ‘witnessed’ with their eyes online is actually just a fragment of encoded facts. The reason different interpretations arise from the same act is due to the angle of the camera lens."

So, what should we do to live as our ‘true selves’? The author emphasizes the need to ask the question ‘why’ rather than ‘how.’ Instead of setting the same goals as others and finding methods, we should explore the value of life with our own reasons.

"Considering the high fluidity of modern society and the sacred meaning of free will and independent will, theoretically, every modern person has the most unique life journey. Accepting this fact is the first step to starting a life true to oneself."