Here is a quote – It is better to discuss things, to argue and engage in polemics than make perfidious plans of mutual destruction.
—Mikhail Gorbachev
In 2016, the entire world was shocked when news came pouring out that several youngsters worldwide had – and were – committing suicide because of an online game, ‘Blue Whale’ (also known as Blue Whale Challenge). Earlier, people used to ascribe suicide among the youth to abuse, mental illnesses, or failure – but now it just came out as an instinctive impulse. Since we don’t understand at a younger age what exactly our existence is, we don’t feel much fear while ending it. For us, it becomes a mere game, as at this age we are unable to imagine how our death would be like or how our death will impact others.
Why teenagers are most prone to destructive behavior
Thirteen to nineteen is universally considered a problematic age. We denote these years collectively as our teen years. It is around this age that we lose the tender looks of our childhood and begin our journey to adulthood. Suddenly, we are not innocent anymore. People stop overlooking our faults as they did earlier. Our body starts developing in ways that we might not like. It shows us the promise of becoming something, but we are not sure of its outcome. A tormenting dissatisfaction that is so characteristic of teenage envelops us and pushes us into the depths of self-hatred.
While we habitually blame teenagers for their attitude and behavior, we should not forget that this is how teenagers have always been. It is deeply embedded in their psychology. It has been seen that adolescents who were excessively obedient during their teenage years are unable to assert themselves as adults. Whereas, the rebellious ones, who were profoundly aware of the imperfections of the world might stand a good chance at changing the world once they are grown-ups.
The two sides of a coin
Rebels, too, can be grouped into two categories: positive rebels and negative rebels. Positive rebels perceive certain aspects in the outer world as the reason for their discontentment. If asked why they are unhappy, they would say something like ‘the educational system needs improvement’, ‘we need better politicians’, or ‘our nation should pay more attention to sports’. When committed to their purpose, these rebels show exceptional diligence and commitment. They will stand at the forefront of their cause and unhesitatingly bear the torch of change.
On the other hand, the negative rebels – just like the positive rebels – realize that society is imperfect. However, rather than deciding to change it, they make themselves imperfect. They move on to violence, drugs, and crime. If asked why they are doing this, they would try to convince us of their own mistaken beliefs. They might say something like ‘the world is an unjust place where being too good would never lead you to what you actually want.’ Such people lead troublesome lives, and unless they change their thinking and beliefs, will live an unproductive and wasted life.
The underlying destructive impulse behind rebellions
Many times, even positive rebels end up walking the wrong path. While change is what they ultimately desire, the way they proceed to effect it is something that differentiates them. To put it broadly, either positive rebels join revolutionary or terrorist organizations that want immediate change, justifying both killing and dying for a cause, or they patiently attempt to excel at something and try bringing the change into the world in a much more systematic and organized manner. Youth, because of their instinctive attraction to violence and chaos, generally prefer the path of a revolutionary. However, unless one is facing a completely tyrannical situation, it is far better to opt for a systematic approach.
The fallacy of hope
In the history of humanity, revolutionary organizations have tried to seize power several times, but they were mostly unsuccessful and produced nothing more than small heroic examples. However, the unthinkable happened in 1793, in France. In the French Revolution (5 May 1789 – 9 November 1799), the revolutionary party got such overwhelming support from the public that they were able to put King Louis XVI under trial, and executed him in 1793. Maximilien de Robespierre, one of the members of the revolutionary party, was elected as the president, and France became a republic. The French thought that now they would finally realize their dreams and had great expectations for the future.
However, it didn’t take long for those dreams to shatter. People wanted an immediate change, but nobody knew how difficult it would be to bring it. Robespierre and his party tried their best. They thought that by making execution the punishment for even minor crimes, they would induce terror among the people, and thus force them into forming an ideal society – which didn’t happen. Within a year of their rule, Robespierre and his party passed 16,594 death sentences, which angered the common people. The rule of Robespierre was dubbed as ‘The Reign of Terror’. In despair and frustration, the common citizens hoped for an opportunity when they could turn Robespierre’s own game against him, and they soon got one such occasion.
On 26 July 1794, while giving a speech at the national convention, Robespierre claimed that he had a list of several people whom he wished to execute for the betterment of the State. When questioned, he disclosed only three names. Most of those present at the convention were terrified, as they knew that their name could well be on the list. Subsequently, they all united against Robespierre, denouncing him as a conspirator and traitor. Soon, the opposition against Robespierre picked up momentum and he, along with many of his supporters, were captured and executed. The Reign of Terror ended. Later, the famous British art-historian Kenneth Clark named this episode of history as ‘The Fallacy of Hope’ 39in his 1969 BBC documentary called Civilization,as it indicated how false the early expectations from the revolution turned out to be.
The writer who actually changed the world
What happens to writers once they become successful? Well, they leave their job and choose writing as their sole profession. Some of them even take up the role of intellectuals. They criticize the government and people for their negligence, and never fail to raise their voice in support of a better society. But do their efforts ever succeed? Since what they are doing is immaterial, we cannot really say whether they are effecting a change or not.
One German writer, however, was completely the opposite of this stereotype. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe became an overnight celebrity at the age of 25 after he wrote The Sorrows of Young Werther which was a bestseller in Europe for 25 years. To everyone’s surprise, rather than focusing only on his writing career, Goethe decided to become a civil servant.
While criticizing the government, we completely overlook the myriad intricacies and the underlying complexity of the government machinery. We think that all that is needed to make the change is the will to set the ball rolling. Goethe realized early on that this is not the case. So first, he understood how the government works, and then he used his influence and initiative for bringing the change that he wanted around him. He was instrumental in establishing many theatres and parks, which was something that only the government could do at that time. For all these efforts and for his achievements in the field of art, literature and science, Goethe is still regarded as a true hero in Germany.
Overcoming everyday destructive attitude
Destructive attitude isn’t something specific to only teenagers or revolutionaries. It is present everywhere. It subtly reflects an inner dissatisfaction at being where we are, and the desire to be elsewhere, to have a different ‘status’. People with such an attitude sometimes seem overly moralistic, as they often talk about the problems prevalent in the world. However, a closer look will reveal that their problems are not related to the outside world but to their inner conflicts.
When fostering such an attitude, we forget that life isn’t all about what the world gives us, but it is more about what we give to the world. If you sincerely feel that there is a need to change something in the world, go ahead and 40satisfy that need. No one is stopping you. Otherwise, don’t grumble about it. Grumbling highlights only your problem and not the problem of the world.
One of the best ways of overcoming a destructive 41attitude towards life is by giving importance to others. For example, while working in a group, you should ask others what they think and, irrespective of how impractical their opinion might seem to you, you should listen to them carefully. Be generous with your friends, and every now and then invite them to a meal at your home, or to watch a movie or theatre with you. Donate money to charity. Do things that take away the overwhelming dose of self-importance that you shower on yourself. Only then will you realize that the best way of being happy in life isn’t by using others for your own happiness; on the contrary, it is by making others around you happy.
