Group Based Creativity?
The essence of democratic social choice seems out of reach.
Do we give such wide license to individual self-expression, because we believe society as a whole is incapable of change?
Do we seek and find creativity only in the acts of individuals, because we despair of social change?
It seems that we start with an assumption that society is determined by some preexisting and largely arbitrary set of conditions. We thus give up hope of societal change and are satisfied to offer ritual honor to the rebel and the martyr.
This creates a politics of waiting, of patience. Our view is on the horizon. We await the individual who will save us. The incompetent Sheriff cowers in his office. We welcome the “Lone Ranger.” Or the “Great Leader.” We seem to believe we cannot do better.
Alternatives? What might we achieve if we could shake loose from these self-limiting ideas? Nothing less than the possibility that together we can organize and balance our society in new and better ways, ensuring that all of us enjoy lives of purpose and dignity.
Citizen based government. John Dewey called it democracy.
"The Boys" on Amazon does a fun but interesting look at the role of individualism, or should I say the corrupting effects of the strong over the weak philosophy in our society and the resulting power dynamic that results.