Refusing Alienation

I wrote this essay for a mandatory philosophy course; I was prompted to write about my prospective career in relation to the texts we've read in class. Enjoy!

A New York Post survey revealed that 45% of Americans who experienced burnout attributed their exhaustion to work-related stress. (SWNS) I’ve experienced burnout. Since my retail job at 15 years old, I’ve known what it feels like to be overworked. I’m over it. I disagree. I object to this way of life. From the genesis of my professional career until my retirement, I refuse to participate in the mundane. I’ve done enough tedious tasks; I don’t enjoy them and would rather be doing something I enjoy. Duh.

Rather than choosing a career and forming my identity around it, I selected a path that I already identified with. I’ve loved fashion since I’ve been able to synthesize a thought. When asked, my answer to “What’s your dream job?” has unwaveringly been “Fashion”. My response remains broad as I approach graduation. I don’t really want to do Fashion, I want to be Fashion. I already am fashion; I just somehow need to make money off it. Therein lies the catch. I happen to live in a capitalist society and cannot survive off simply being myself. Marx diagnoses this symptom of our societal structure, “Capitalism offers [“the good life”] to a few but denies it to the vast majority.” (Ester 43) He coins this denial Alienation.

Elster describes Marx’s Alienation as “the lack of a sense of meaning.” (41) Dressing up gives me a sense of meaning, therefore I do not feel alienated. In fact, I feel that in the past two years I’ve been preparing myself for self-realization. “The pleasures of self-actualization come not simply from using one’s powers but from using them well.” (46) I’ve been doing what I do, but it’s time to start doing what I do well, I guess? Who’s to judge whether I’m doing myself well? “The evaluation must be performed by external observers according to independent, public criteria; otherwise, one would sink into a morass of subjectivity, never knowing for sure whether one’s achievements are real or spurious.” (Elster 46) I don’t much like this notion; that a jury of all the public are appointed to determine how successful I am at being myself. Does this not contradict the term self-realization?

“Self-realization, for Marx, can be defined as the full and free actualization and externalization of the powers and abilities of the individual.” (Elster 43) I question one’s ability to self-actualize in any society. An inevitable side effect of coexistence is judgement. A fully externalized individual, which I interpret as one whom the collective masses respect, is but an ideal. “Self-externalization is the process whereby the powers of the individual become observable to other people.” (Elster 44) My question is: how many people must observe and corroborate an individual’s excellence to allow them to self-externalize? My mother believes in me, does this one reference authenticate my powers? Are my capabilities only activated under surveillance? Must I hear my endorsements to self-actualize?

Marxism mentions the term self-esteem in relation to the ever-critical Others. “The risk is that the self-image may be destroyed if it is not confirmed by others.” He implies that our self-worth is built with compliments. Each nod of approval from the Others lays a brick in a structure that will never be finished.  In my opinion, self-esteem grows as one furthers themselves from the need of society’s acceptance.  I digress.

Self-esteem relates to confidence in one’s identity. If identifying with a profession is mandatory, should we quantify our excellence through work performance? This is the tragically logical way in which many Americans rate themselves. I am subjecting myself to this tempting ranking system by meshing my work and life so entirely. However, I have made my life my work, rather than making my work my life. That difference gives me the strength to fight back against capitalistic expectations.

Realistically, I’ll begrudgingly surrender to capitalism. Ideally, I’d strike a deal with society; I shall be the brand for which I work. I’ve still sold my soul for profit, but at least I get to be me. I’ll likely have to suffer through the mundane American corporate world for a few more years until I have the funding and stability to alert the world of my existence. I’ve studied marketing throughout my college career, I know how to advertise. Promoting myself is no different than building an apparel brand, it takes the same tools.

I’m sure you’ve gathered that I’m quite confident in myself. Perhaps you chuckle at my youthful arrogance that followed me into adulthood. Self-actualization “requires some willingness to take risks.” (Elster 47) Choosing this career path will not be the first time I took a successful risk on myself, nor will it be the last. You’ll notice I refer to an unmentioned “career path”. The vague concept of Fashion isn’t a profession. I purposely did not specify because I don’t know what I’m going to do! But Marx taught me to do it well.

REFERENCES

Elster J. An Introduction to Karl Marx. Cambridge University Press; 1986

SWNS. “Feeling Burnt out? Survey Reveals How Americans Increase Their Energy Levels.” New York Post, New York Post, 5 Jan. 2024, nypost.com/2024/01/05/lifestyle/feeling-burnt-out-survey-reveals-how-americans-increase-their-energy-levels/#.