Bitter Truth or Honeyed Truth: Network Theory, Communication, Cultural Depression, and the Isolated Mind

Bitter Truth or Honeyed Truth: Network Theory, Communication, Cultural Depression, and the Isolated Mind

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In this discussion, I intend to explore how human beings are interconnected, particularly how they express cultural depression through their suppressed, isolated minds via diverse social media platforms. Specifically, this paper highlights the need to uncover our hidden desires beyond suppression and how doing so can lead us to true human development.

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1.????? Bitter Truth or Real Truth: Human Nature, Social-Cultural Behavior, and Hidden Desires.

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Why do people label the revelation of their true desires and romantic pursuits, especially when achieved clandestinely, as a “bitter truth”? Is it truly fair to define this as a bitter truth, or is it simply a reflection of human nature and social-cultural behaviour? For example, when people openly speak about the harsh realities of how they fulfil their social, cultural, political, or sexual needs and wants—often under cover of social and cultural fear and shame—can we rightly call this the bitter truth? If so, why is it socially labelled as such?

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I argue that this perception stems from deeply ingrained cultural norms and moral values that discourage the open expression of how people satisfy their lives. As a result, people often realize their true bodily and psychological desires in hidden spaces and through socially and culturally clandestine situations. In contrast, I contend that if we lived in a more open and honest society, there would be greater freedom to express what people genuinely experience in their daily personal and socio-cultural lives. A society that allows individuals to pursue and communicate their fundamental needs and desires openly—whether related to sex, romance, aesthetics, economics, politics, or anything else—represents a more advanced and humanly developed culture.

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Conversely, many global South societies, often labelled as developing, underdeveloped, or poor, tend to conceal how people satisfy their bodies and minds. In these societies, people frequently realize their desires in more hidden or clandestine spaces, which reflects the prevailing social-cultural ethos and morals. In my view, true human development means providing spaces where people can openly and honestly express how they fulfil their lives without fear or shame—in front of their children, families, schools, and the state. Societies that offer such cultural freedom and openness are more developed in terms of human values.

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People continue to hide their true ways of realizing their desires and romances because their societies and cultures remain dominated by feudalistic and corrupt power structures. These structures impose outdated moral and ethical standards that restrict human diversity and broader expressions of desire. Traditional power agents—kings, religions, governments, judiciary systems, and education systems—often perpetuate these fake and fraudulent moral codes. The underlying reason for socially and culturally driven fear and shame is the reluctance to acknowledge and accept the true diversity of human desires and romances, extending beyond traditional norms’ confines.

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2.????? Addressing Social and Cultural Underdevelopment: Towards True Human Development

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The solution to social and cultural underdevelopment, even in societies with strong economies or political systems, lies in achieving true human development grounded in genuine norms and values. To reach this goal, societies need to engage in more open discussions and dialogues about how people live their lives and the historical reasons behind their suppression by existing social structures, including society, culture, law, family, and other institutions.

The best remedy is to promote and facilitate open social and cultural discussions about human behaviour through the education system, from the grassroots level to higher education. We can foster a more accepting society by educating children, social leaders, teachers, and others about the real ways and means of human desires and romances. When people understand and acknowledge the diverse and subjective nature of human desires and romances, they are more likely to accept these differences socially and culturally.

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This openness would eliminate the need for individuals to hide their daily lives, biological needs, and cultural practices within their families, societies, and workplaces. In a society where such dialogues are encouraged, people can freely express their true selves, leading to a more authentic and developed human culture.

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3.????? Why People Hide Their True Desires and Ways of Achieving Them

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People often hide their true desires and the ways they achieve their sexual or relational goals within hidden networks of social systems—ranging from physical socio-cultural networks to clandestine collectives in rural or urban sexual clubs, bars, or groups that intertwine sex, politics, and business. This concealment arises from significant social and cultural suppression. As a result, by hiding their true daily practices, people tend to develop depressive minds, impacting both their individual and collective socio-cultural lives.

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4.????? Navigating Traditional and Modern Social Networks: A Reflection on Cultural Suppression and Human Development

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Traditional social values, such as those embedded in political clubs, religious cults, and norms, often fail to provide spaces where people can openly express and fulfil their biological and cultural needs—particularly those related to desires and romance. In contrast, modern social systems, especially virtual social media platforms, offer more creative and comfortable spaces for people to express and realize their true daily sexual and romantic needs. Despite some safety and security concerns, these virtual networks generally provide safer environments for people to connect with others who share their interests, allowing them to live more liberated lives.

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As people increasingly break away from conventional barriers, they are navigating beyond the depressive and socially suppressed mindsets imposed by traditional norms. This shift is particularly evident in the global South, where postcolonial societies still cling to colonial-era models and mentalities, striving to appear culturally and morally civilized in ways that mirror outdated Western ideals. In contrast, many in the global North have moved beyond these old modes of governance and social norms, no longer perpetuating the corrupt, feudal rules of power that once defined their societies.

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The persistence of colonial mental models in the global South—despite their absurdity and emptiness—reveals a deep-rooted dilemma. These societies attempt to achieve development through outdated Western economic and political systems that are no longer relevant to contemporary human needs. This complexity highlights the need for a transformation—a metamorphosis—towards new, avant-garde social and cultural paradigms that prioritize openness, honesty, and true human development.

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Today’s younger generations, including Gen Z, seek to break free from these old models. However, when they migrate from the global South to the global North, they often find themselves trapped in new forms of exploitation and oppression, reminiscent of early British and European colonialism. The global North, despite its reputation for advanced economic and political systems, continues to operate under the same colonial subjectivity through its immigration policies and other mechanisms.

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This corrupt political and economic power network influences the social systems of communication and culture. As a result, the global South remains entangled in a neo-colonial, neo-capitalist digital economy, further complicating its path toward true human development. To overcome these challenges, it is essential to break free from these outdated models and embrace new ways of thinking that align with the values and aspirations of today’s global society.

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Image from; https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/16/opinion/sex-women-feminism-rules.html

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