Summary
Highlights
The speaker notes that the initial post-communism euphoria of newfound rights and choices has given way to a feeling of being overwhelmed. Psychologists have observed that too many choices lead to anxiety and indecisiveness. This phenomenon is illustrated by the example of choosing wine in a restaurant, where fear of judgment from others (the 'big other') heavily influences decisions. Choices are not purely individual; they are social matters.
There are several reasons choices cause anxiety: firstly, choices are often made with an awareness of how others will perceive them. Secondly, the desire to make an 'ideal' choice often leads to dissatisfaction (e.g., constantly switching phone providers or partners). Thirdly, every choice involves a loss – the abandonment of other possibilities – which is inherently anxiety-provoking. The ultimate unchosen loss is death, which humans try to control.
The discussion shifts to ideology, contrasting belief in communism in Yugoslavia with the ideology of choice today. In socialism, people didn't believe in the communist ideal but pretended to, out of respect for others' purported belief. This 'belief in belief' still functions today, for example, in how people discuss sexuality. This creates a public facade of certain experiences and expectations, while privately, people feel they don't measure up.
The ideology of choice leads individuals to feel guilty for failures, especially in professional life. Losing a job leads to self-blame rather than criticism of the corporation. There's a shame associated with being poor, a stark contrast to previous working-class identity. Capitalism's ideology, centered on the 'self-made man' and the idea that 'everyone can make it' or become a celebrity, has pushed this to extreme limits where fame is desired for its own sake rather than for accomplishments.
Psychoanalysis shows that societal changes influence individual psychology. Capitalism, a system demanding faster work and constant consumption, creates a subjectivity where individuals believe they are in charge of their lives even when they are not, leading to submission. This overworked subject starts consuming themselves, manifesting in conditions like bulimia, anorexia, workaholism, and addictions. This self-criticism and anxiety over choices hinder social change, as people are afraid to risk what little they have by challenging the system.