A Story About Attitude and Our Role as Humans

This world is like a stage. In it, humans and all creatures are created to play roles. Some roles we consciously choose, but others we must accept as destiny.

Every human being can play many roles. For example, at home, they are a family member—sometimes a child, a partner, a parent, an older sibling, or a younger sibling. Outside the home, they can be a boss, a friend, a teacher, a worker, or even a public figure.

Our diverse roles as humans inevitably lead to a need to change clothes to suit the role we're playing. Why is this? Because the right clothing enhances the beauty of a role. And, wearing the right clothes is often learned through the process.

However, what if someone doesn't wear the right clothes for a particular role? There are certainly consequences.

Instinctively, humans can change clothes in a matter of seconds to adapt to changing roles. However, in reality, some people forget or even intentionally wear the same clothes. For example, a company leader may still act bossy when hanging out with friends. This company leader may forget to remove their leadership attire when playing a friend. Consequently, this attitude becomes unpopular.

Another example is the case of people who believe that wearing the same clothes reflects their identity. These people are reluctant to change clothes because they view it as a sham—a pretense and a lack of authenticity. They then assert that their behavior is a choice to be their free selves. Is that true?

Lack of Attitude

In mid-2023, Twitter and Instagram users around the world were abuzz with discussions about a young singer, a talent show graduate, who was criticized by netizens for her perceived lack of attitude. On a show where she was invited, the singer interrupted the host's questions several times, didn't take her answers seriously, and often muttered to herself. As a result of her unpleasant demeanor, netizens widely criticized her negatively.

This kind of case isn't new, is it? There are likely many similar cases around us, even though we're unaware of them. However, when it's committed by an artist or public figure, the reaction is different. Why is this? This is because our society tends to have general standards for what public figures should be role models. Therefore, if their behavior deviates from these standards, it will be seen as a mistake.

However, what if this figure actually has his own reasons for his behavior? What if he wasn't actually forgetting to wear the appropriate attire for a public figure? What if he was simply choosing to be himself? Should public figures really not have the right to freely be themselves?

To address this, perhaps it's a good idea to first understand what being yourself means. Does being yourself mean being free to act as you please? Of course not.

Essentially, every human being—whether public figures or not—has the right to determine their own attitudes. Everyone is allowed to be themselves and move freely according to their own will. However, we need to be aware of the risks involved. Are we prepared for the consequences of our actions? Because if we can't position ourselves and read the situation, inappropriate clothing can actually become a problem.

It's like a chess piece that can move freely on a game board. If a pawn moves and puts itself in a risky position, its life is likely over. Likewise, with us—although we have the freedom to act, that doesn't mean we can act without consideration. Of course, we must be able to weigh the situation and the appropriate place. It's also best not to overstep boundaries. Why is that? Because every game has its own rules.

Look back at our chess game. The characters on the board are allowed to move freely, aren't they? However, within the game, there are binding rules with fixed movement patterns. So, even though each piece can move freely, it must follow the rules, bound by a fixed movement pattern. If these rules are violated, the game of chess falls apart.

So what about humans? Humans also have norms that govern how we behave. These rules are binding and serve as benchmarks for judging behavior or actions within a group.

Therefore, freedom of movement does not mean being allowed to violate boundaries. Changing "clothes" doesn't mean not being yourself. We just need to be in the right situation so that whatever "clothes" we wear look appropriate.

Lessons from the King of the Jungle

Have you ever wondered why the lion is known as the king of the jungle? After all, it's not the tallest animal—there are giraffes that are taller. Nor is the lion the largest—there are elephants that are much larger than it. In fact, lions aren't even that much smarter than chimpanzees, are they? So why is it the lion that is considered the king of the jungle, and not the giraffe, elephant, or chimpanzee?

To answer this question, we can't ignore the fact that the title "king of the jungle" is a product of oral and written stories. We never really know whether there really is a caste system within a lion's pride. For a long time, the lion has always been portrayed as the king of the jungle, because it is considered the strongest. In fact, the tiger (supposedly) has twice the strength of the lion. So why isn't the tiger the king of the jungle?

Again, this is a mythical power that has been believed in various parts of the world. Moreover, male lions have a mane on their heads that resembles a crown. Perhaps this is why lions are considered more deserving, and therefore more popular, than tigers. In fact, both could be called kings of the jungle because they are both top predators in their habitats.

So, what does this have to do with attitude?

So, here's the thing. Look at a lion, no bigger than an elephant, nor taller than a giraffe. Yet, when it sees an elephant, the lion is confident it can eat it. Even though the elephant is clearly bigger and taller than it.

This positive attitude to victory is what lions possess, and that makes them the most feared predators in the jungle. Although, perhaps the lion doesn't actually feel like king of the jungle—it's not even bigger or taller than its opponent, is it? However, it has the mental attitude of a winner. No matter how big the problem, it believes it can overcome it. Isn't that what we all should have to survive?