Introduction to Maximum Advantage Collection by Travis B. Part 11

The development of individuality has historically been defined by societal forces and trends (see previous post for diagram). In order to develop a sound and independent frame set through which to pursue cultural transcendence, we require the stamina and insight made available through social criticism. As argued at the beginning of this introduction, our personal and collective Shadow have permitted the exploitation of our self-constructed and self-perceived vulnerabilities. SRL discusses not only how we are manipulated as individuals, but discusses specific societal myths that are utilized for this purpose[13].

With the anti-natural perpetuation of these false beliefs we loose the opportunity to extricate ourselves from this vicious circle, to be lost in a dreary haze of distorted meaning and frustrated visions. Our society’s “stage of proximal growth” has been afforded after most major wars, while those afforded by peace are rarely pursued. The cleansing of our anti-natural instincts and false beliefs is necessary for the genuine individuation of the individual as well as the group. It of course needs to be recognized that to cleanse oneself from the outside in, or from the inside out, is to be regarded as two distinctively separate processes. Cultural and historical movements produce an externally determined expression of the individuation process within a unified, safe, and political context. It is supervised, controlled, defined, as well as determined. As a result the individuation process in this context does not produce genuine equality, self-expression, or question the existing balance of power. When we cleanse ourselves starting from within--the process is selectively and individually determined. It is a private matter for each of us as human beings to explore our identity without the unnecessary influence of the anti-natural archetypes.

[13] The author's most important analysis concerns the myth of "progress". Other examples include "Productivity" in: Chomsky, Noam. Et. Al. The Cold War and the University. NY: The New Press, 1997; or "Meritocracy" and "Seniority" in: Albott, Andrew. The System of Professions: An Essay on the Division of Expert Labor. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1988.