What if the desire to be the best were a disease? A pervasive pathology infecting the way we perceive ourselves and the world around us? I am talking about a syndrome that has wormed its way into our collective psyche, something I'd like to call 'bestism'.
In essence, bestism is the pervasive belief that we need to categorize different entities along zero-sum linear ranking systems. It propagates the view that one student is better than another, one industry more valuable than its counterpart. It uses a simplistic binary logic of comparison and ranking that stifles our ability to experience and appreciate the multifarious aspects of life.
The Consequences of Bestism
From my personal experience, the earliest signs of bestism showed up in my school years when I was labelled as a 'gifted' student. This simple categorization created a divide that posited me as 'better' than others. But how does this practice shape the minds of students who don't make the cut?
Does not scoring higher on a standardized test make them less valuable? Is their worth reduced because they can't complete homework as efficiently as their peers? This perspective not only demoralizes students but also constrains their ability to contribute to the world.
While I am all for rewarding merit, a society built on bestism reduces diverse talents and capabilities to a single model of success. We need to challenge this ideology that recognizes only a few kinds of superheroes while ignoring the myriad others. It's detrimental to humanity's future and negates the unique, dynamic potentials that each individual possesses.
Moving Beyond Bestism
We can extend this critique of bestism to how we perceive industries and technologies. Is AI inherently better than web3? While AI may have a larger market cap, it doesn't diminish the unique and crucial role that web3 plays in creating a decentralized identity layer. Attempting to rank them against each other is a futile exercise that ignores the fact that these technologies can synergize to revolutionize our infrastructure and elevate our civilization.
The same principle applies to roles within a company. Can we declare that a marketer is less important than a UX designer or an algorithms expert? Each role is essential, enabling the company's mission to succeed. Compensation disparities should not eclipse the unique and vital contributions of each role.
Embracing a Holocratic Culture
These reflections point me towards the principles of holacracy, a system where individuals deeply respect each other's superpowers and responsibilities. A holocratic culture would resist the temptations of bestism, choosing instead to value diversity, cooperation, and mutual respect.
However, a crucial question remains: how can we cultivate a holocratic culture in a society as vast and diverse as the U.S. Maybe we start with a country as compact as Montenegro? Sadly, bestism is deeply entrenched in places like LA or New York where there seems to be a limited number of success slots. The scramble to occupy these slots often breeds a toxic culture of competition and a disregard for the environment and life itself.
We need to ponder how bestism affects our lives, how it warps our perceptions, and impedes our ability to appreciate the world's diversity. Is Indian food inherently better than Italian? Is a burger superior to Chinese food? These questions expose the absurdity of ranking diverse cultures and experiences.
Moving Forward
Although the way forward remains uncertain, the first step is recognizing the harm of bestism. We must strive to foster a society that appreciates the unique value of people, industries, technologies, and cultures. Let us make space for the celebration of diversity, appreciating every flavor life has to offer, rather than trying to decide which one tastes 'best'. Only then can we truly progress and unlock the full potential of our collective human spirit.