If you know someone narcissistic, I give you my deepest sympathies. For those of you who are unfamiliar with narcissism, a narcissist typically has an inflated sense of self-importance, a desperate need for attention, and a complete lack of empathy for others. These disturbing, and let’s face it, extremely irritating qualities have become more and more discernible today with the rise of social media.
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What many people do not know about narcissism, is that the word itself actually stems from the Greek myth of Narcissus. The compelling story centers on a handsome young man, Narcissus, who rejects love from his throng of admirers. Among those admirers was the young nymph, Echo.
Echo was notorious for her beautiful voice and eloquence until the Queen of the Gods herself, Hera, cursed her to only repeat the last words spoken to her. Echo faded away, leaving behind only an echo of her voice, which endlessly reverberated through the mountains. Echo’s story reminds us of the importance of exercising our voices and demanding to be heard, even if all anyone hears is a haunting echo of your convictions.
Unfortunately for Narcissus, Nemesis, goddess of revenge, developed a disliking for his cold indifference towards those who cared for him. Nemesis, also having observed his vanity, decided that a fitting punishment would be to curse Narcissus by dooming him to fall hopelessly in love with his own reflection in a pool of water.
So, as the story goes, Narcissus spent the rest of his empty, vapid life staring at his own reflection until he finally drowned in it. I feel that it is important to note that his death was not merely a result of his vanity, but his refusal to listen to others and connect with himself.
In the age of social media that we are currently living through, it is difficult not to drown in the unending stream of stimulation at our fingertips. Social media has created a widespread need among users to curate unrealistic versions of themselves that others will admire and idolize. We take hundreds of photos of ourselves in the same pose, manically trying to find the perfect angle and lighting so people will see us the way we want them to. This perfectionist habit leaves us desperately chasing the validation of others, never considering searching for validation from within ourselves.
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Despite its ancient origins, I strongly feel that the myth of Narcissus and Echo is a warning that is ever more relevant today. Echo’s story reminds us of what happens when voices are silenced, while Narcissus illustrates the fate of those who do not listen. Altogether, Echo and Narcissus caution against a culture that fixates on appearance and superficial fulfillment rather than genuine human connection–sound familiar?
Narcissism has grown to be much more than just a personal flaw, but a prominent societal issue. When narcissistic behavior becomes normalized, we become less likely to challenge injustices, listen to others, and become more likely to live in ignorance.
The myth of Narcissus and Echo urges us to listen more, to see beyond our surface-level reflections, and to challenge systems that ignore real issues. If we continue to dismiss the ideas and problems of people around us and fail to know ourselves, we may find ourselves like Narcissus–emotionally empty and totally alone in life. We risk becoming a society so mesmerized by ourselves and deaf to the issues around us, that we go through life without truly living.
So the next time you are editing an Instagram post or rethinking the caption on your latest TikTok, remember something Narcissus could not understand, that your value far transcends the surface-level depiction of you on social media. And that unlike Echo, you have a voice, so do not hesitate to use it unashamedly and with unfaltering conviction.
