Beware the Volatile Ego
September 30th 2006 10:52
Beware the Volatile Ego
Sometimes we creative people think we are such precious things. We begin to think that we are special because we are gifted and therefore deserving of much more than we get. Some even take it further declaring that they should have their own set of ethics because of the contribution they have made. There is a collective indignation across the entire creative and art world that because we are being ignored the world is worse off. Perhaps we do deserve more than we are getting and the world is a lesser place for it. Sometimes the only thing that keeps people following their creative ambitions is a big ego that can withstand the outrageous attacks that are made against us.
Ego is something that people find either a healthy kind of confidence or a dark monster of your own making.
There are several types of egos and despite Skyhooks telling us that ‘Ego is not a dirty word’ it does lead to dirty deeds. A fragile ego is something that many people are aware of when they come across it but it is no where near as bad as the Volatile Ego. The volatile ego is like a fragile ego on steroids. It is reassured by itself that it is a world authority and most talented person on Earth. Sometimes you hear about celebrities throwing tantrums like babies as the throw phones and vases at their underlings. This kind of rage is sensational because mortals like us do not act in such a way. Or do we, but on a much smaller scale?
Once an ego becomes a monster it must be fed, either through self adulation or denigration of others. When I watch ‘Australian Idol’ I see a side show that has one main purpose: To obtain wealth through humiliation. Two out of three of the judges on the panel could be described as a ‘has been’ to the unkind or ‘beyond their prime’ to kinder folk. Yet at least one in every series has the task of humiliating teenagers to the point of tears. ‘Wake up child,’ is the attitude, ‘if you want to be famous you have to take my insults without complaint, even the personal ones that have nothing to do with the performance?’ Instead of encouragement and help they are taught that the world they wish to be part of is ruthless and they must be ruthless also. The attitude of being able to crush someone like an ant is a lesson that won’t be forgotten by some. Yet if ever the position was reversed, what mercy would these former persecutors expect?
Sometimes the volatile ego does achieve success in the creative world, art, music, film or even writing. Instead of the words of a writer being their defense they become an offensive attack upon a list of enemies. Using there celebrity status as credibility they do not do the hard task of criticizing the ideas of their opponent, they attack them personally. So too can this observation be made about our leaders in the ‘bear pit’ of parliament. Listening to question time is like listening to a preschool after the teacher has lost control. Insults fly hard and fast where everyone is criticized personally before the issue is even spoken about. It scares you to think that these people are running the country.
It never ceases to amaze me that the people should be the most grateful for what they have are so wrapped up in themselves. Egos may be a healthy antidote to a barrage of attacks as long as it built mutual respect for others. A Super Model may think that she is a goddess but realistically she is just a clothes hanger. Actors brawling in the streets may point to a fine film as excuse but all they really do is learn lines. Even a writer may take pleasure in the living up to the arrogant and drunkard image but being able to scribble words on paper is a common skill. None of these people are performing a job that would save the lives of thousands. They are merely protecting an empire designed to serve only their own self gratification and narcissism.
Sometimes we creative people think we are such precious things. We begin to think that we are special because we are gifted and therefore deserving of much more than we get. Some even take it further declaring that they should have their own set of ethics because of the contribution they have made. There is a collective indignation across the entire creative and art world that because we are being ignored the world is worse off. Perhaps we do deserve more than we are getting and the world is a lesser place for it. Sometimes the only thing that keeps people following their creative ambitions is a big ego that can withstand the outrageous attacks that are made against us.
Ego is something that people find either a healthy kind of confidence or a dark monster of your own making.
There are several types of egos and despite Skyhooks telling us that ‘Ego is not a dirty word’ it does lead to dirty deeds. A fragile ego is something that many people are aware of when they come across it but it is no where near as bad as the Volatile Ego. The volatile ego is like a fragile ego on steroids. It is reassured by itself that it is a world authority and most talented person on Earth. Sometimes you hear about celebrities throwing tantrums like babies as the throw phones and vases at their underlings. This kind of rage is sensational because mortals like us do not act in such a way. Or do we, but on a much smaller scale?
Once an ego becomes a monster it must be fed, either through self adulation or denigration of others. When I watch ‘Australian Idol’ I see a side show that has one main purpose: To obtain wealth through humiliation. Two out of three of the judges on the panel could be described as a ‘has been’ to the unkind or ‘beyond their prime’ to kinder folk. Yet at least one in every series has the task of humiliating teenagers to the point of tears. ‘Wake up child,’ is the attitude, ‘if you want to be famous you have to take my insults without complaint, even the personal ones that have nothing to do with the performance?’ Instead of encouragement and help they are taught that the world they wish to be part of is ruthless and they must be ruthless also. The attitude of being able to crush someone like an ant is a lesson that won’t be forgotten by some. Yet if ever the position was reversed, what mercy would these former persecutors expect?
Sometimes the volatile ego does achieve success in the creative world, art, music, film or even writing. Instead of the words of a writer being their defense they become an offensive attack upon a list of enemies. Using there celebrity status as credibility they do not do the hard task of criticizing the ideas of their opponent, they attack them personally. So too can this observation be made about our leaders in the ‘bear pit’ of parliament. Listening to question time is like listening to a preschool after the teacher has lost control. Insults fly hard and fast where everyone is criticized personally before the issue is even spoken about. It scares you to think that these people are running the country.
It never ceases to amaze me that the people should be the most grateful for what they have are so wrapped up in themselves. Egos may be a healthy antidote to a barrage of attacks as long as it built mutual respect for others. A Super Model may think that she is a goddess but realistically she is just a clothes hanger. Actors brawling in the streets may point to a fine film as excuse but all they really do is learn lines. Even a writer may take pleasure in the living up to the arrogant and drunkard image but being able to scribble words on paper is a common skill. None of these people are performing a job that would save the lives of thousands. They are merely protecting an empire designed to serve only their own self gratification and narcissism.
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