The Identity Stack

You are who you are, because of what you believe about the past.

Just like with consciousness, identity is built in layers. Working backwards, it’s the story of you, and how you came to be where you are today.  It’s the story of your siblings, parents and grandparents.  It’s the story of your people, tribe and religion.  It’s the story of your race.  It’s the story of where you came from …

Layer upon layer, story upon story, your identity is built along a unique path from the past to present.  While the order may vary, the lower levels are typically set when you are young, and become more entrenched and difficult to change as you age.

On top of it all lies ideology, or how you project yourself into the future. Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, or a Nazi, you embrace your beliefs because they are consistent with and build upon the foundational stories of your life.

Historically, when large groups of people change foundational beliefs, big things happen — governments fall and new religions are born.  This is how our republic was formed, and how the former Soviet Union ceased to be.

And it feels like big things are happening now.

Until next time …

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