Ego Bigger Than Libido

Ego-boosting things like receiving compliments and doing well on a test are more important than sex and money.

Researchers looked at wants and needs around sex, money, food, and friends, and sex and money were not ranked as high as expected.

They said this “should raise red flags about the role of self-esteem in society.” They think that people might be too reliant on ego-boosting, almost addicted even, which could lead to problems with looking for quick fixes in life. Even for ”social ill[s], from teen pregnancy to violence. People think that if only we feel better about ourselves, these things would not happen.”

But I’m not sure there is a need for red flags. Maybe if you take the results as one small part of a bigger problem, but I need more evidence before I’m convinced.

Doing well on a test is not just an ego boost, it’s affirmation of all your hard work studying and learning, and shows that you are proceeding in achieving your goals. Why should this be a bad thing?

Contact the author here: mack@morningquickie.com