Doing what drives you is the best way to move forward reguardless of what others say...only you know what is best. So trust yourself.

Testing out blogger text posting...

Autonomy or Automaton?

I've been hearing the word "automaton" a lot lately when a person is describing our future as humans, but more in the "we're not automatons" sense, a projection of where our species is heading. If you aren't sure what an "automaton" is here are two definitions:

Princeton's Wordnet:
Automaton: Noun S: (n) automaton, zombi, zombie (someone who acts or responds in a mechanical or apathetic way) "only an automaton wouldn't have noticed" S: (n) automaton, robot, golem (a mechanism that can move automatically)
http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=automaton

Oxford English Dictionary:
Automaton: noun (pl. automata /awtommt/ or automatons) 1 a moving mechanical device resembling a human being. 2 a machine which operates according to coded instructions.
http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/automaton?view=uk

I'd like to contrast this word with one that we would prefer to use to describe our species; Autonomous:

Princeton's Wordnet:
Autonomous: Adjective S: (adj) autonomous, independent, self-governing, sovereign ((of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces) S: (adj) autonomous (existing as an independent entity) S: (adj) autonomous, self-directed, self-reliant ((of persons) free from external control and constraint in e.g. action and judgment)
http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=autonomous&sub=Search+WordNet&o2=&o0=1&o7=&o5=&o1=1&o6=&o4=&o3=&h=0

Oxford English Dictionary:
Autonomous: adjective self-governing or independent.
http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/autonomous?view=uk


In some parts of the day we are automatons for our jobs or in our routines. Carrying out the will and wants of others in order to have our autonomy when we have free time. It is inevitable that we relinquish some of our freedoms to get others. Many suffer moral and personal dilemmas when faced with this conflicting truth.

On their own each is an extreme state. Extremes are very difficult to manage in and of themselves.

How do we work to find resolve or balance in a system that likes to spout off extreme ideals of freedom yet the way to get it is to work hard for someone else; independently employed or not? We will always have to give a little of ourselves to get a little of what we want. It's a barter system, though not always an equitable one - unless we negotiate wisely. It's up to us to be assertive enough to ask for what we need and want and to be realistic/pragmatic about the outcome.

That term itself: assertive is one that also causes confusion. It did for me. I always thought that being "assertive' meant being ego-driven, arrogant and aggressive at the expense of another. That definition never suited my personality. Here are the common definitions of assertiveness from a simple Internet search:

• assertiveness - confident and forceful
  http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/assertive?view=uk
• assertiveness - aggressive self-assurance; given to making bold assertions wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Definitions today have changed to a more positive view. I would say because being assertive does not mean you have to be aggressive, i.e. being mean.

Some new ways of defining assertiveness:

• assertiveness - Asking for what one wants or acting to get what one wants in a way that respects the rights and feelings of other people.www.careinaction.com/resources_dict_a.html
• for a detailed description: http://www.livestrong.com/article/14699-improving-assertive-behavior/

How does being assertive resolve the conflict created by the dichotomy of being an automaton and having autonomy? I may have mentioned my solution above: through negotiation, give and take, bartering, maintaining a realistic/pragmatic view of the situation... you need two additional things to achieve this: accurate information and the willingness to take perspective. Insight is important too but that is another post.

How does this all work together? By allowing yourself to be rational in making the decision and expressing emotion through assertive action you can balance the extremes of having autonomy and not being an automaton. We have to have both and it's okay, as long as you know where it all comes from in your life and you can find comfort in balancing it.

Apathy through constant distraction is dangerous, so is extremism. The future of our species will only suffer if we don't learn how to balance ourselves.

Just a little of what's working in my brain. Did it trigger anything in yours? Please share...

~ Tammy, anordinarygirl