culture “The trendAnd the personal decision:
Between the power of the group and the loss of the individual compass
At a time when news, ideas, and fashions are spreading like wildfire, a new term has emerged that encapsulates this phenomenon in one word: “The trend“.
Even if “The trend“In its origin, it refers to what is trendy or popular. Today, it has become more than just a digital term, but rather a culture that affects the way people think, make decisions, and live their way of life.
Amidst this storm of rapid influences, a fundamental question emerges:
Is what we decide today a conscious choice, or just conforming to what everyone else is doing?
First: the concept of “The trendAnd its cultural dimensions:
A trend is any phenomenon that spreads quickly and is widely talked about, whether it is a social issue, a fashion, a digital challenge, or even a passing opinion.
But trends are no longer just an indicator of what people care about; Rather, it has become a force directing public opinion, with the ability to formulate convictions, direct behavior, and even create models of success and failure.
Here lies the danger; Because what is popular is not always right, nor is what the majority does necessarily the best.
Second: How does culture influenceThe trendIn our personal decisions?
The disappearance of the voice of the self: When the trend turns into a compass, the person’s inner voice is lost, and he chooses a profession. because “Everyone works in this field.”or travels; Because “Popular destination”, or adopts an opinion; Just because it is “the most popular”, without wondering:
Is this what I really want? Does it suit me? Is it consistent with my values and orientations?
Hidden social pressure: Trend culture creates indirect pressure that makes the individual feel behind or strange if he does not ride the wave. This is what drives many young people to engage in choices that do not represent them, for fear of isolation or embarrassment.
Reducing meaning to appearance: Success today is measured by a number.Likes“And”Views“, not the quality of the idea or the depth of the experience. Sometimes the goal of the decision became to gain popularity, not to achieve self-satisfaction.
Third: Why are minds attracted to trends?
Because the human mind loves the herd: we feel comfortable when we feel that we are doing what everyone else is doing, as this reduces the feeling of guilt or error.
Trending provides a temporary sense of belonging: Participation in a trending phenomenon provides a kind of social acceptance.
Ease of access versus depth of thought: Making a decision based on trends is faster and simpler than researching, contemplating, and confronting oneself.
Fourth: Where is the personal decision in all of this?
The right personal decision comes from a deeper place than just… “What people do” It is the product of self-awareness: knowing what we want and what we do not want.
Deep understanding of priorities: What is best for my reality and circumstances?
The ability to sayno“Why doesn’t he represent me, even if everyone else does?”
Personal decision does not mean isolation; Rather, it means that the individual is consciously present in everything he does, even if others agree. There is no objection to desires intersecting; But the danger is that the self dissolves in the wave of the trend without resistance.
Fifth: Education in a time of trend:
Raising children and youth in this culture requires:
Promoting intellectual independence: Teaching children to ask “Why?” Before they get carried away with any idea.
Cultivating critical thinking skills: Do not reject everything new, but do not accept it just because it is popular.
Talking about values, not appearances: Why do we wear this? Why do we pursue that? What do we really want from life?
Sixth: Is it possible for the trend to be positive?
Yes, the trend is not purely evil. Great ideas, awareness campaigns, or development challenges may spread; But the key is: Am I participating because I believe in the idea? Or because I don’t want to be left behind?
And finally: In a time of rapid trends and tidal waves, the human soul needs an internal anchor to stabilize it in the midst of storms.
Perhaps the conscious personal decision is that anchor that keeps a person from dissolving into the group, and restores to him his natural right to be himself, and not a copy of someone else. Be present in your decisions, not a follower of what is said, nor absent from what you want.
Let your awareness, not the trend, be the compass.