Subversion is derived from the Latin
word “subvertere” which means to “to overthrow” or to “turn from under.” It
brings to mind the image of “turning a rock” over, which is a negative image.
Subverting is also considered a negative action, something that is to be
avoided, connoting a disruption of the status quo.
But considering the definition
itself, subversion need not be a bad thing. Challenging the status quo has
always been discouraged by the authorities (in a political arena) because it
usually means they have to justify their actions and reveal their intentions,
and most of the time that is not a very good idea from their point of view. In effect, subverting something can lead to
destruction and chaos. The propensity to self-subversion may very well do this,
but again that is not necessarily a bad thing.
Self-subversion can also be taken as
in the negative. By definition, it means to turn from under the self, the consciousness,
the being. In essence, you are questioning what you are, your intentions, your
goals and your aims. It questions your life as a whole. When does this usually
happen?
Propensity means a preference or
attraction for a certain activity, or object or situation. The human propensity
to self-subversion is usually a sort of psychological end-of-days. People usually start to question their lives
when tragedy strikes such as a death or accident, or circumstances forces
themselves to take account such as losing a job or a loved one to another
person. It never occurs when people are happy or complacent, when events favor
their existence and way of life. Bad news travels fast and tragic events
trigger self-evaluation faster than the wink of an eye. When self-examination
occurs in these instances, chances are what you see you do not like. But such
intensive examination of life should occur not only when things come to a head.
It should happen in anticipation of such events. Self-subversion should be
cultivated at each opportunity.
The logic in this is contained in one
phrase: a well-examined life is a life well lived. Accepting the way one’s life
is without questioning the why, how, when, where and what is life accepting
that one has no free will. It is to accept a person can only move in a certain
way as dictated by society and no further and no other way. It is to acquiesce
to the status quo. The problem is the status quo should be of a person’s own
making. Otherwise there would be no point in living a life not your own.
Self-subversion can occur at any
point in a person’s life, but preferably, when one is in a balanced state of
mind. In this way, the mind is clear and uncluttered from emotional or physical
stress. There are several ways this can be done.
Take notes. Noting down the pros and
cons of one’s life may seem strange, but that is the only way a person can
clearly see where he had been, where he is and where he is going. It is the
only way a person can take control. Concede that perhaps there are some things
that can be changed which have been maintained because of laziness or a fear of
change itself. This could be as simple as the sort of haircut you have. Perhaps
it is a cut you have had since you were ten and you have gotten used to it
although you do not like the way it tickles your forehead. Resolve to change
the things that can be changed. Try something new with the hair. Do it
gradually until you are more comfortable with the new look. Soon it will be
easier to make similar changes on different levels. These may seem simplistic
notions but changing the status quo often starts with the first step. Consider
this the first step to developing a well-examined life. The competence we
discover through propensity to self-subversion is worth the effort we put into
self-development.
