Robert C. McOuat

In a world where we must creatively navigate the murky, often treacherous waters of ambivalent situations—where our desires clash head-on with the unavoidable inconvenience of actually obtaining them—we find ourselves pondering a critical question: Is the hassle truly worth it? Isn’t it so much easier to retreat into our vast and colorful dream worlds, blissfully dissociating from all those messy obstacles that make life feel like an uphill battle? Picture this: you’re so utterly fed up with the grind of reality that you decide to erect an imaginary fortress around yourself, complete with plush cushions and endless snacks. You barricade your mind against the outside world as you binge-watch Netflix, diving deep into the latest series while simultaneously scrolling through Instagram, living vicariously through influencers who seem to have mastered the art of effortless glamour. Welcome to what I affectionately dub the Age of Solipsism!

Reality Takes a Back Seat

It’s a delightful era where reality takes a backseat—preferably in a cramped car that’s stuck in traffic—as we isolate ourselves from life’s more tedious aspects. Why grapple with family drama at Thanksgiving dinner when you could instead feast on buttery popcorn while watching Brad Pitt expertly dodge bullets in some high-octane action flick? Who needs heartfelt conversations when you can indulge in heart-pounding plot twists and laugh-out-loud moments from your couch kingdom? So go ahead, grab your remote control tightly; it’s going to be a wild ride through fantasy land where everything is edited for maximum enjoyment—and zero inconvenience! After all, why face reality when you can simply escape into a world where all your wildest dreams await—and no one ever asks if you’ve taken out the trash?

While it sounds cozy, this creation can become a place where true integration of psychic life fades away faster than your New Year’s resolutions. Through the flickering glow of TV screens and the allure of cinema, we get a glimpse of life’s perks without the pesky negatives of real life. Why grapple with the complexities of existence when you can enjoy an endless coffee date with Jennifer Aniston? Who needs to deal with taxes or traffic jams when you can sip lattes at Central Perk, surrounded by quirky friends always ready for witty conversations? In this flawless bubble of make-believe, there are no arguments or awkward silences; instead, you’re treated to playful banter with clever setups and punchlines sharper than a chef’s knife slicing through an overripe tomato. It’s like living in a perfectly scripted sitcom where every job is rewarding, every love story is epic, and every villain gets their comeuppance just in time for commercial breaks.

You Are the Star of Your Own Movie

Ah, this delightful philosophical gem serves up a heady concoction of existential musings, suggesting that not only is the entire universe a beautifully crafted play starring none other than your fabulous self, but also that your inner experience is quite literally the ONLY reality that exists! That’s right! Picture it: you strutting about the stage of life like the star of your own blockbuster film while everyone else—yes, even that guy who just cut in line at the coffee shop—is merely an NPC (non-playable character) in your grand gaming adventure. Imagine them going about their scripted lives with all the charisma of a cardboard cutout, completely unaware that they are merely background players in your epic quest. You get to decide who gets to join you on this wild ride filled with respawn points and side quests! How exhilarating it must be to know that every conversation is just an elaborate dialogue tree you’re orchestrating, where you hold all the power over plot twists and character arcs. So next time someone asks for directions or tries to engage you in small talk, remember: they’re just trying to level up in your game while you’re busy collecting those sweet experience points for being so dazzlingly self-aware!

Are We Capable of We-Experiences?

Solipsism might just be setting up some serious roadblocks around our ability to engage in those crucial We-experiences. You know what I’m talking about: those delightful moments shared with two or more people under a collective “we,” where genuine joy—or at least mutual confusion—can flow freely instead of being trapped in an endless loop featuring just little old “I.” It’s as if we’re all living inside one of those cheesy 1970s public service announcements that boldly declares, “You are the Most Important Person in The World!” while simultaneously thinking to itself, “Great… I’m officially the only me!” Imagine being surrounded by a crowd and still feeling like you’re at a very exclusive party—where you’re the guest of honor but also the caterer, DJ, and awkwardly overenthusiastic hype person. Instead of connecting with others on shared experiences that make life rich and colorful, we often find ourselves lost in our own self-importance, conducting a one-person show for an audience of none. It’s like trying to share an inside joke with someone who isn’t even in the room; they might chuckle politely at your punchline, but deep down they’re silently wondering if they’ve missed the setup entirely. This phenomenon typically develops early as a defense mechanism—a way to cope when hope in meaningful relationships dwindles.

The Endless Scrolls Through Social Media

Now onwards to social media—oh boy, hold on to your hashtags! Studies have revealed a hilariously amusing correlation between ostentatious narcissism and problematic Facebook use. To put it plainly: if you’re busy chronicling your fabulously curated life as though you’re the star of your very own reality show, while simultaneously throwing shade on anyone who dares encroach upon your spotlight—congratulations! You might just be knee-deep in some classic narcissistic behavior! Keep your eyes peeled for those telltale signs, like an endless stream of selfies taken at precisely flattering angles (because let’s face it, lighting is everything). Pair that with an unhealthy obsession over likes, which you seem to treat as if they were gold coins strewn across some twisted digital treasure hunt. Who knew social validation could feel so much like a game of Monopoly where everyone’s just trying to collect Boardwalk and Park Place? In this dazzling age of solipsism, while keeping our feeds entertainingly one-sided may temporarily boost self-esteem into stratospheric heights, true human connection begins when we dare to reach beyond our individual echo chambers! So go ahead—snap those selfies all you want; embrace the art of photogenic prowess! But don’t forget to sprinkle a bit of love on others too; after all, this wild ride called life isn’t meant for solo players alone—unless you’re really into playing solo game modes—and even then, wouldn’t it be more fun with a trusty sidekick?

Unicorns Are Great Company

But fear not! There are discussions swirling around various therapeutic tools designed specifically for helping individuals gradually abandon this withdrawal from reality. These tools aim to encourage folks like us to step out from behind our marshmallow fortresses and engage in genuinely nurturing relationships—because let’s face it, while unicorns are great company, they don’t exactly help with emotional growth or provide solid advice during existential crises! So here’s hoping for more authentic connections instead of being stuck in our own whimsical yet isolating dreamscapes!

Citations and Further Reading

Allport, G. W. (1962). Psychological models for guidance. Harvard Educational Review, 32, 373–381.

Johnson, M. (2020). The Psychology of Solipsism: Our Own Private Consciousness. Understanding another person’s consciousness means we must inhibit our own. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind-brain-and-value/202010/the-psychology-of-solipsism-our-own-private-consciousness?msockid=30243158fc2e60a52337250cfde961c6

Osler L. (2022). An illness of isolation, a disease of disconnection: Depression and the erosion of we-experiences. Frontiers in Psychology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9389105/

1970s PSA – Most Important Person in The World to You – “I’m the Only Me!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwSEYvTZCdQ