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Do certain cultures promote or discourage egoism?

Karlee Rankcom

In today's world, where social media has taken over, it has become a very intriguing and complex question to answer whether certain cultures promote or discourage egoism. It has always been a debatable topic, as different people have different opinions on this matter. Egoism is usually considered as an individual's tendency to put their own interest ahead of others, which is not just limited to social media but is a part of human behaviour in general.

In terms of cultural differences, there is certainly a difference in egoistic tendencies amongst various cultures. For instance, in some Eastern cultures, such as Japan and China, the concept of group identity is considered more important than individual identity. In these cultures, people are encouraged to think more about the larger community and well-being of society as a whole, rather than thinking about themselves. In contrast, Western cultures tend to emphasize individual identity and self-promotion, which can stem from the country's historical focus on individualism as a value. However, the reality is that not all cultures in the West promote egoism and not all Eastern cultures discourage egoism.

That being said, it would be unfair to label a culture as solely promoting or discouraging egoism based on some generalized traits. Even within a particular culture, there exist various sub-cultures that may value different things, leading to a wide range of opinions and perspectives. For example, in the United States, people from rural areas may have different values and beliefs than those from urban areas.

In reality, the use of social media has also played a significant role in promoting or discouraging egoism within different cultures. On one hand, social media has provided a platform for individuals to express their opinions and connect with like-minded individuals. However, on the other hand, it has also encouraged people to showcase their individual identities and promote themselves in an increasingly public and hyper-connected world. In this sense, social media has created a kind of balance between promoting and discouraging egoism within different cultures.

Moreover, the social media platforms themselves have also helped to shape users' behaviours, developing a culture that is often very different from the societal one. For instance, Instagram has created a social media culture that emphasizes aesthetic perfection and self-promotion, while Twitter is widely known for its news-centric updates that are often focused on current trends and shareable content.

To conclude, it would be misguided to say that specific cultures promote or discourage egoism without due research and consideration of various factors. Different cultures have different values, beliefs and behaviours that shape individual actions. It is also important to recognise that social media has created new cultural values that are leading many users to promote themselves in ways that are contrary to their traditional values. While recognizing these differences, we need to also remember that we are more similar than different and the true essence of humanity lies in considering others before our own interests.