Is self-actualization possible in todays world? I find the idea of self-actualization to be very interesting.
The idea of self-actualization in the last twenty years or so is one that has been forgotten, or perhaps the aim to become self-actualized is not one that is deemed to be important to many.
It may be a consequence of the times, and our financial obligations that frequently force us to focus on money instead of self-fulfillment, or self-analysis, but the focus on material wealth instead of many other things that would fulfill us, or make us culturally literate is prominent.
I am simply questioning this predisposition with currency as the beginning, and end of our lives. It is hard to argue against, "you need to eat." in an urban setting but many people go on perfectly well growing their own food, and living without money as a daily part of their lives.
What am I trying to prove? You might ask, well I'm simply making a comment about the idea of self-actualization in the context of history, and todays culture.
Perhaps the 'rocking-the-boat', aspect of self-actualization is now harder, and harder to achieve, considering the widespread lines of communication that the world now uses, everyone is capable of rocking the boat quite easily, and maybe people simply have stopped noticing it.
Overall it is my belief that people no longer focus on self, and self-improvement, or self-actualization because of the emphasis placed on financial "success" and material gains.
I agree that financial success has become a standard measurement of achievement in today's society. Perhaps this has occurred due to the purely quantitative nature of money or due to the high value humans place on materialistic items. I think that social media and communication technologies have almost hindered our journey towards self actualization on an individual level. By focusing on what others are doing with their lives via Facebook or by following famous celebrities on twitter, we can easily lose focus of what we personally aspire to do with our lives.