Your Opinions Are Not Your Identity

For Western civilisation not to implode politically, we need to return to the idea that your views about politics, society, and art are not your identity.

Your views don’t define who you are. They inform who you are. But they do so at the level of your character, not your identity.

Unlike identity, character can evolve. Being asked to give up your identity is an attack on you, being asked to evolve your character is not.

This has a completely surreal consequence: everyone wants to have an opinion on everything. If opinions are identity, then having an opinion on everything is an essential way of locating yourself in the world.

This turns human conversation into an absurd “I’ll show you mine, and you can show me yours” ritual. A ritual of self-expression takes the place of engaging with the world and engaging with others - and precludes growth.