Rising and Underlying Tension III

Different areas, similar patterns.

But this pattern of tension seems limited to humanity. Of course, the animal world experiences tension, but this is almost inevitably released through some form of instant aggression. There are no past grudges or future fears for these animals, their concern is the now and survival in the moment. So why is it that humanity must alone experience these forms of political and personal tension?

The answer to that question is intrinsically connected to the question "Why did society develop in the first place?". Both questions are just as complex and unclear. But we can be clear that this incessant living in the past and future is a social issue. From advertisements to the very language we use, we constantly regret past mistakes and 'look forward' to future strife. We cannot escape this any more than we can escape the fact that humans are social beings.

Like other animals, we are instinctively inclined to vent our aggression and tension when it arises. Social laws inhibit this and punish those that cannot control their tension. Instead, 'acceptable' methods of release like wars or passive aggression are allowed in the social system. Society may have developed naturally, but it fails to master the natural tendencies of humanity. In short, we are animal creatures that have adopted social patterns.

For this reason, explosions of tension in personal and political life are not likely, they are inevitable.

-The English Student

Rising and Underlying Tension II

Politics is the macro expression of a micro pattern.

Rising and underlying tension is just as prevalent within every human being. When we have an issue that has not been solved this problem does not just go away. We may feel like we are dealing with a problem and working through things when in actuality we are repressing the issue. This means that tension festers and multiplies on a subconscious level. It builds and builds until a person becomes more tense than human and fails to escape the cycle. We frequently live in the past and therefore frequently face apparently dormant tension.

Living in the future is equally problematic. When we look too far ahead it is easy to worry and anticipate issues. Often, an innocuous problem will be predicted very early and we increase its importance by dwelling on it. Fear and anticipation are a poignant mix that culminate in an increase of tension. We frequently live far into the future and therefore we frequently create unnecessary tension.

Both of these elements of personal tension leak into social relationships. If we cannot individually deal with the past in a healthy manner or resist the urge to look too far ahead then we are very likely to create similar issues with friends and family. A fight or misunderstanding occurs in the past and we fail to deal with it properly or a problem is foreseen and becomes more of an issue than it should be. This is all due to our personal inclinations and a failure to live in the moment individually or collectively. Rising and underlying tension builds until people and relationships explode.

So again I must wonder, is it better that we allow this 'explosion' to happen in the moment or risk building greater tension in the future? Must we wage personal wars to solve our problems?

-The English Student