According to Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist, every society begins with a simple form of interaction. In such society, which he termed as a mechanical society, individuals are held together in solidarity, where members have similar aims and goals. As the society experience growth, and undergo economic advancement, it develops into an organic society, where there is a division of labour and specialization, with every member of the society having their own niche. Durkheim posits that no one society is wholly mechanical or fully organic, as even the most mechanical society requires some form of variation, and one will also find the simplest form of uniformity even in an ultra organic society. An abrupt, rather than graudal change from a mechanical to organic society will trigger the state of anomie which refers to normlessness, a condition where societal norm are no longer adhered to by individuals of the society. Due to the abrupt change, members of the society struggle to cope, and resort to deviancy to relieve the strain they have been suffering from as a result of the change.

To some extent, we can observe that the phenomena of anomie occur at almost every level of the society. It is not merely confined to the macro-society, but extends to the micro-society. In every organization and community, individuals started out as being altruistic, where the communal spirit trumps every other matter around them. But as the society grow and mature, individuals become more individualistic, and more egoistic in line with moving towards achieving their individual goals.

Speaking from experience, I have come to realize that as a simple micro-society move from their mechanical state to the organic state in an abrupt manner, a condition very much like anomie takes place, where individuals commit deviance, in the sense of deviation from their principles and values, the very principles and values that have kept the mechanical society together. The organic society is some sort of mini-capitalist. Everyman for himself and deviance thus occurs because individuals in the micro-society struggled to come to terms with the sudden change in the group’s direction. Individuals wrestle with their conscience, torn between what is wrong and what is right; what is good and what is bad. We then see all sorts of inconsistencies in individuals’ actions and words, not because they have become hypocrite, but because they cannot decide if they really want the organic society or the mechanical society. Quite simply, it’s between loyalty and looking after one’s own interest. In most cases, it is the latter.

Now, an organic society is not all negative, but an organic society that had experienced anomie will eventually crumble, as the rapid change will result in the mass efflux of individuals who believe in collectiveness, as they could not rationalize the sudden transformation in their society. What is left then are those individuals that are selfish and individualistic. This will create an imbalance in the society, which will finally lead to the breakdown of the new organic society.

Major religions explained the origins of man as being due to creation of God. The theory of evolution, however, suggested that homo sapiens are the descendents of more primitive species of primates, and that all current living organisms shared a common ancestor. 

Enough on the evolution and creationist theory though, because this entry is primarily on a controversial theory, devolution. According to the theory of devolution, man will reach a height of evolution – a ceilling if you may; and just like the current credit crunch, ka-boom, man will experience a sharp drop in terms of their intelligence and will start devolving. The end product of the process of devolution is the reversal of the whole process of evolution. Man will slowly devolve into primitive primates, and then to the more primitive reptiles before becoming a micro-organism.

During the process of devolution, man will start to manifest “uncivilised” behaviour – behaviour that one can only find in what man called “animals”. They start segregating people of other ethnic origins, thinking that those people are from a different species. Man cannot tolerate each other anymore: it is all about survival of the fittest. There will be war, alright, devastating war. Diplomacy is no longer the way, because man will forget how it feels like to talk. There will no longer be social norms and laws, because survival is the only way up.

Wait a minute. Aren’t we all living like these now? 

We are in an era of social devolution. The all embracing attitude that we have on Social Darwinism, survival of the fittest in the society through competition on limited resources is backfiring. Our morals and humanity that makes us humans have been long disregarded. The primary goal of our very existence has been to achieve supremacy: in any manner we could. Look at how our morals have eroded in pursuit of such supremacy. Slowly but surely, our social norms will be no different than those of animals. 

Devolution – is it inevitable?

“People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality; their feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that’s bullshit. Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they’re afraid to feel? Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they’re wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It’s all in how you carry it. That’s what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you’re letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain” Jim Morrison

How true it is – that pain is meant to wake us up from our slumber. I have been in pain, not over someone but over some things. Perhaps saying that I am in pain may be over-exaggerating. Maybe disappointment is more apt, but I do feel that pinch in my heart. I think the pain stems from the fact that very ideals I have believed in have been trampled on by people I respect. I have been torn between two worlds for quite some time, and this must stop.

It is something I will have to learn to live with – the pain of having to give up what I truly believe in, because to hang on to it will only cause more pain, as every second I spent in it erodes my principles even more. I once believed things will change, but the change did not came as expected. Perhaps I am just not that strong and brave enough to bring about that change,

It is time to be selfish. It is time to let go.