Check out my action thriller - Bushman
To cut through the noise and uncover our true wants, we must actively expose ourselves to new sources of information beyond our usual inputs. We need fresh perspectives and
contrasting data points to counter the unconscious inertia of following the herd.
For the speculative fiction writer in me, this means actively seeking out stories, worlds, and storytelling styles that shatter my assumptions about the genre. Explore works from other cultures, eras, and ideological perspectives than the ones I'm used to. Look for stories that play with form and push boundaries in uncomfortable ways. Let in the
strange, the unfamiliar, and the challenging. Adapt my creative brain to thrive amidst conceptual novelty.
On the streets, habits like reading books and essays from thinkers you typically disagree with, taking classes in subjects you know nothing about, or travelling to places that force you out of your comfort zone. You disrupt the feedback loops and assumptions that typically guide your outlook and decisions.
As you integrate new information, observe yourself. Notice how it makes you feel - energized, threatened, curious? Do priorities and desires change without reason? With self-awareness and exposure to true novelty, you train yourself to separate wants driven by fear of missing out from those linked to personal growth, creativity and life satisfaction.
The ultimate goal
is "individuation" - a cool word for carving out your own authentic identity, values, and goals rather than unconsciously mirroring those around you. This doesn't mean rejecting all social norms or collective identities. We are tribal primates, not lone wolves. Our wants and needs are shaped by both individual and collective influences.
But we must develop the self-knowledge to consciously decide when to align with
social/cultural pressures and expectations, and when to respectfully diverge based on personal autonomy and core values.
In a world aggressively shaping our wants through AI-driven messaging, it's no easy task. But it's a skill we need to acquire if we are to disengage from the autopilot of mindlessly mimicking and consuming. Ask yourself: What do you really want? Then, actively expose yourself to the experiences and ideas
required to truly know the answer.
Be Your Own Hero.
