While reflecting on the work that we provide in the value-based sector, it is impossible to ignore the adverse, and even at times, repulsion we collectively share towards the oversaturation of any phenomenon, whether event, person, or resource.

“Information overload occurs when the flow and amount of information are too much for our brains to process. This bombardment can lead to confusion, indecisiveness, stress, and, eventually, mental fatigue” (Mindful Health Solutions, 2023). We believe that within this ‘bombardment,’ we develop an ‘Anti-Presupposition,’ which seems to be born out of some level of emotional safeguarding and/or protection.

Living in a social media era, information overload tends to happen regularly. It appears that older generations struggle with processing information, while younger individuals struggle with synthesizing it, leading both to the creation of a present culture of apathy and insensitivity. One would think that with the excessive amount of readily available information, the ‘anti-presupposition’ stance would be a less likely route to take. Well, let’s unpack what is meant by anti.

Anti can be defined as one that is against or in opposition to (Merriam-Webster, 2024). For many of us, the concept of who we are is based on the values we have. So, naturally, some opposition would occur, and it is a natural thing to do, especially when there are things that go against our moral values. However, let’s expound on this thought a bit more. Let’s define an Anti-Presupposition as a psycho-emotional response, whether deliberate or impulsive, that leads to a contrarian posture without engaging in mindful analysis, research, or inductive and deductive reasoning regarding a phenomenon that one is morally aligned with.

In short, due to the oversaturation of something, an emotional self-defense system kicks in to protect oneself from further saturation. Because of the negative feeling associated with oversaturation, the negative feeling is then transferred to the thoughts surrounding the phenomenon itself, thus activating an anti-presupposition stance. This sometimes spreads to the relating phenomenon as well.

With it being June, there are quite a few phenomena taking place, and because we not only live in a heightened social media climate but also in a capitalist society, couple that with commercialism and the bombardment mentioned earlier, and there are several levels of possible emotional overload.

When understanding that the current PRIDE Month celebrations are a continuation of a response to an immediate need of a marginalized community that was facing police harassment and social discrimination due to being deemed a sexual minority (starlight.org, 2022), many people would morally believe that everyone should live a life free of unwarranted policing, humiliation, belittlement, excessive use of force, and/or even death; therefore, sexual identity shouldn’t be a caveat for allowed marginalization.

However, due to the oversaturation surrounding the celebrations, which some may argue is for profit, the angst for the oversaturation is then transferred to the people, and members of the LGBTQ+ Community are still being unfairly treated, which was the root cause of the celebration to begin with—an attempt to bring awareness.

Ideally, the same is true for June being Black Music Month, though established in 1979, to celebrate and bring awareness to the musical influences that Black and African Americans have made and continue to make, which is a vital part of our American Culture and History. Black Music has either birthed or influenced every genre of American Music.

However, due to the oversaturation of divisive efforts, many people are unable to deduce that Black Music, like Black History, is all part of American History, and inadvertently, World History. But, the angst with divisive efforts has spread to the people versus remaining with erroneous commercialization. If we collectively value people and education as much as we value tradition and protection, we could combat the reoccurrences of Anti-Presupposition stances that are shaping the way we interact with one another.

If we collectively value people and education as much as we value tradition and protection, we could combat the reoccurrences of Anti-Presupposition stances that are shaped by commercialization and capitalism. Furthermore, valuing people would entail valuing education because learning about the people we value forges a higher level of togetherness, and divisive practices would subside. Additionally, prioritizing tradition should involve advocating for the importance of educating others about the things we deem as sacred; one of the best forms of protection is education. Disengage the natural impulse to be anti-presupposition and engage with understanding others and the values that we collectively share.

As we reflect on the anti-presupposition stances we carry, reflect on other moral events that are evident today. Decide, are you against the oversaturation or the intent?

Reference

Merriam Webster. (2024). Anti. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti

Mindful Health Solutions. (2023, October 13). 4 Ways Information Overload Impacts Our Mental Health and How To Cope. https://mindfulhealthsolutions.com/4-ways-information-overload-impacts-our-mental-health-and-how-to-cope/#:~:text=Information%20overload%20occurs%20when%20the,highly%20difficult%20in%20this%20flood.

Starlight. (2022, June 16). Four Ways to Celebrate Pride Month with the Whole Family. https://www.starlight.org/stories/four-ways-to-celebrate-pride-month-with-the-whole-family?utm_source=google&utm_medium=adgrant&utm_campaign=Search_Google_Grant_NonBrand_Blog_MC&c_src=GoogleAdGrant&c_src2=Search_Google_Grant_NonBrand_Blog_MC_history%20of%20pride%20month&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsPCyBhD4ARIsAPaaRf2fHYSBB4_q4tlNhh0zSHlxkLkNEhRMASQjMM8oKPoIV5RX1OxGcbMaAsr2EALw_wcB

Love Is A Parable- an initiative and movement that later became an organization within itself. Love is A Parable is a DBA and subsidiary of Altar and Dwelling Place, Inc. We are a charitable and educational 501c3 organization, that provides character, social, and leadership development to those who have an aspiration toward unity, love, and kindness through a reflective thinking approach and sacred-box theory that involves value-based education.

J. Dwayne Garnett, BSRT, MHA, QP
Chief Executive Officer
Love Is A Parable
Available for Empowerment Speaking Engagements, Consultations, Uncovering Sessions, and Instruction.
Find out more about J by clicking HERE!