A POST-HEDONIST MANIFESTO

by YEN

The most wanted emotion is happiness, yet in the vehement search for pleasure, we have become strangers to true joy. Surrounded by the abundance of fleeting ecstasy and superficial satisfactions, we find ourselves looking for something perennial. The pursuit of instant gratification, so entrenched in our lives, has left us hollow and disconnected. Objects and experiences that used to be important and mean something are now empty and manufactured.

“Man, that inveterate dreamer, daily more discontent with his destiny”, has trouble assessing the pleasures he has been led to pursue, pleasures that his nonchalance has brought his way, or that he has indulged in through his own efforts, almost always through his own efforts, for he has agreed to chase after gratification.

Hedonism: its consequences in society today

• Hedonism is defined as the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole good in life. As a philosophy it has been mainly under-explored, for various reasons, however it is silently one of the most prevalent in Western society and the global community.

• The rise of individualism, consumerism and postmodernism correlate positively with the widespread presence of hedonism today. Humans have increasingly become more isolated, apathetic and superficial.
• Over the past few decades we have seen these effects all around us:
  • Extreme individualism has promoted a lack of empathy, self-centeredness and harmed the sense of community.
  • Overindulgence has lead to choices that are detrimental to our health & wellbeing.
  • Hedonism has shifted the motivating factor to the accumulation of currency, leading to the pursuit of money being prioritized over that of passion and purpose.

Hedonism: the good aspects that should be selectively adhered to

• The pursuit of pleasure is something that is important in order to live a balanced life.
• Being motivated by the positive impact of pleasure and the negative impact of pain for ourselves and the world around us pushes us to make better decisions that have social value.

• Selfishness is innate and not necessarily a bad thing.
  • Selfishness is not just about gaining but giving as well.
  • This does not mean we should be selfish at a social cost.
  • In moderation, we should be selfish about what and who we care about, that way we treat people and our things with great value.
  • This innate selfishness allows us to increase social value and improve quality of life with our actions.
    • We should think about what is best for us however we should also take into consideration what is best for the people impacted as well.
  • By being selfish, we are invested in the things we do. The writing you want to accomplish, the project you want to create. 
• Personal fulfillment and self-care should be incorporated into our lives to contribute to a sense of purpose and create contentment.

Beyond Pleasure to Purpose

• One thing that will come up a lot in this text is balance. With the positive aspects of hedonism, they need to be integrated in a balanced and moral way.

• Being motivated by pleasure doesn’t mean always seeking immediate gratification but looking at the greater good and delaying gratification in the present for a more enjoyable future.
• Pursuit of meaning/purpose:
  • While pleasure and enjoyment are important they are not the sole aim of post-hedonism.
  • The essence of a life well-lived is also in the crafting of one’s narrative in the fabric of existence.
    • Our works should reflect this, the profound expressions of our personal world.
  • The pursuit of purpose may not only require the delay of pleasure and gratification but may require embracing pain and discomfort as a part of life.
• We advocate for “sustainable” happiness by moving beyond the mere pursuit of happiness/joy through short term pleasures but rather with purposeful and meaningful activities.
  • Being aware of hedonic adaptation helps us understand that most positive and negative events are fleeting and help us make better decisions that contribute to a better wellbeing and long-term happiness.
• Importance of self-realization

Importance of interconnectedness and empathy

• Where hedonism promotes individualism, post-hedonism recognizes the need for independence and self-love but advocates for communal bonds and the treatment of others with empathy as well.

• We encourage making decisions based on the pleasure it will bring but with the thought of others and how they will be affected.
• Treating every person as an end rather than a means, seems to be fundamental in most influential teachings. However, it is not evident in the way we interact with each other and the way institutions that are created for us treat people.
• Empathize with others whilst giving them a basic level of respect, even when it is inconvenient for you. Lead with kindness, and understand your reward is your peace of mind and spirit.
  • We do not advocate for naivety or being walked over but contempt or disrespect should not be the default for strangers.
• Conversation holds the power to convey so much between us and it is essential in most, if not all, interactions.
  • Enter conversations with an open mind, unprejudiced, to hear and understand each other.
  • Healthy discourse is an effective way to promote empathy and understanding.
    • Sometimes the best ways to understand is to talk through a disagreement. 
  • Considering conversation is such a powerful tool, it can also be used to manipulate so it is important to be mindful and discerning in our interactions.

Immersion: Cultivating Depth

• In a place, industry or situation, one should immerse themselves in the culture, tradition and history. This increases your value of and respect for the place. In this awareness comes a deep and wide knowledge that enriches one’s life and work. This allows works and designs to be full of context and significance, steering clear from the lines of appropriation. 

• Not only does immersion bring awareness to you, but your efforts translate to a feeling of respect and appreciation for the people.
• We follow a similar desire to explore design from the perspective of various art forms and industries by immersing ourselves in their creative processes, unique techniques, histories, and cultural contexts.

Continuous Learning

• Always be open to learning something new.
• Chase your curiosities, fall down rabbit holes.
• It is never too late or too out of reach to learn something new.
• We are met with educational opportunities everyday, let’s use them rather than being ignorant.
• Even if you are proficient in a topic, there is always more to understand!
• Filter your work through different disciplines from your own to gain further all around perspective. This allows for greater appreciation and advancement of your work.

Critique of Overconsumption

• Consumption, as defined by sociologist Alan Warde, is a multifaceted concept that encompasses the acquisition, use, and disposal of products and services, along with the cultural and social meanings attached to these practices, reflecting personal identity, social status, and cultural norms.
• In modern capitalist societies, consumer culture often markets products and experiences by appealing to individual tastes and the pursuit of personal pleasure. This marketing reinforces individualistic notions of self-expression and uniqueness, where personal choice in consumption becomes a form of self-identification and fulfillment.
• Commodification of art & design:
  • Products are being designed for the sole aim of profit.
  • There is a lack of innovation and originality with many works because of the dedication to trends.
• In this digital age, overconsumption has transcended physical goods and services.
  • The relentless pursuit of likes, shares, and followers drives a culture of perpetual engagement, where individuals are overwhelmed with a ceaseless stream of information, entertainment, and often superficial content.
  • As users consume curated glimpses into others’ lives that portray an idealized reality, they get a heightened sense of anxiety and dissatisfaction with their own.
  • The overconsumption of social media and the strong tether we have to our devices are mainly responsible for attention spans shrinking.
  • The algorithms behind these platforms prioritize instant gratification and continue to suggest similar content that creates an echo chamber, misrepresenting public opinions and thoughts. Social views and opinions now become led by the posts that garner the most attention, resulting in the masses to believe that said opinion is the general sentiment.
  • Public discourse is now led by the people with the largest megaphones and these are usually the most unqualified, trivial and uneducated, in the particular respect, people.
• We advocate for a radical reassessment of value:
  • Mindful consumption or moderation
    • Rate of consumption
    • Reason for consuming

Harmonious Integration of Technology & Nature

• Technology and the “natural” way of things often seem like opposites and two different sides at war. We propose a harmonious integration. 
• Instead of looking at AI art as opposition or a bastardization of art, recognize the opportunity and take advantage.
• Protect human artists to create a world where human creativity is still valued:
  • Market differentiation
  • Education & skill development
  • Support for artist communities

Building Trust

• Honesty, integrity, and reliability are the foundations of trust and must be held at the forefront of relations.
• Good design is no different, it must be honest, reliable, and hold integrity.
• Dishonesty with ourselves leaves one with a certain level of delusion.
  • We must know when we need to change or self-critique as well as change designs.
• Trust is the basis of all relationships:
  • It paves the path for decision making.
  • It allows for relaxation and guards to be let down.
  • Trust allows for one’s natural identity to come out and not feel judged, bringing the feeling of safety and comfortability.
    • The inner child can be at peace and roam as it wishes.
• When there is trust then every other aspect can be built upon.
• You are in a relationship with design or whatever your field of practice is.
  • Design does not come in bad faith, what you put in comes out.
• You must build a level of trust in yourself and your abilities to carry it into your relationship with design.

The Dynamic Equilibrium

• Many movements, including this one, are a direct response to a norm or previous climate. Though we are calling for a change, we see the need for balance between the ends of the metaphorical spectrum.
  • The dynamic balance between personal desires and communal well-being.
  • Balance between innovation and tradition.
  • Balance between interconnectedness and individualism.