Is it okay that we make ourselves worthy of iconic status? I feel this question is morally ambiguous at best. When probing my own moral compass I realized although I had thought about how I felt on this subject many times before, I never fully defined my position on this controversial issue. Being an artist virtuoso and knowledge worker by trade I identified an extraordinary opportunity to capitalize on my skills in both specialties to solidify my balanced stance. In this paper, I explore how I embrace the scientific approach in my modernized lifestyle all the while trying to retain my traditional humble convictions.First I gathered myself historical evidence about the evolution of icons. Once upon a time mankind praised twelve children of Heaven. The powerful Greek Titan deities ruled during this legendary Golden Age. Their iconic role as sacred Elder Gods soon was to be unexpectedly usurped by a succeeding race of younger children ‘gods’. The younger Olympians ushered in a paradigm shift permanently effecting the concept of Gods and complexion of worship of these Giants of men. Then the youngest of these giants named Kronos killed every known iconic figure born except one which escaped. Next in mythology came Zeus who became the supreme God of his era. It was believed that Zeus created humans modeled in clay from the ashes of Titans Zeus killed with his thunder bolts.

Pharoah Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti reigned at the peak of Egypt’s imperial glory. They are famous for their religious reform. Then there was Augustus Caesar, Jesus of Nazareth and Mary Magdalene who contributed their giant legacies to mankind’s framework. Then a little further along the time line in the plains of Mina, Muhammad derived the etymology of the term Allah which is a contraction meaning “deity God”. And generations since those 10 years in Medina religious followers affix the iconic name Muhammad indicating that they too are “diety Gods” as they practice their Islamic lifestyles. Without a doubt, these artifacts of iconic religious connection have affected humanity in powerful ways. At all times in man’s history until recently there was a belief in a supreme being of one form or another. Look at even the icon of an UFO? Is it not even a symbol of a supreme being? Now doctors think they play GOD due to the advancement of knowledge about what comprises the human body.

Second, I wish to consider the scientific method techniques of the early 1800s. It is this embrace in scientific thought that tore men from myth, faith and “the holy sacred” and introduced them to new tangible forms (laws) of reason like Occam’s razor. Science fiction novels have come to life and quite possibly will completely mutate the future of mankind different than anything we ave yet imagined. This non-dogmatic logical reasoning strips all chances for man to rely on things unforeseen nor just to accept unknowns as truisms but rather to investigate for themselves radically altered the state of man’s self concept for good.

As the previous examples express at the precipice empires, time and time again similar evolutionary patterns of religious worship and self-concept continue to further collide and shape mankind’s sacred concepts that comprise today’s state. Any disturbances of past sacred icons have created serious religious repercussions. Once sacred these icons have been reduced to mere symbols of cultural achievement of an age. They are now generalized graffiti of commercial hordeum. Ironically what people hunger for the most is meaning; be it derived from position, origin, or religion. We are first hand witnesses to one of the most significant iconic paradigm shifts in human history.

There has been an unprecedented change in the human condition. For the first time literally a rapidly growing numbers of people have choices. For the first time in many situations people are having to manage themselves. Marketing all too often and all too easily take advantage of these iconic associations in religion, position or origin to connect sacred symbols that comprise the fabric of mankind’s history and sell people on predisposed ideas. Recent X & Y generations have been born into a revolutionary era in many ways. In advanced civilized areas most essentials of daily life abundantly accessible. It is here that commercialism dizzies consumers with a barrage of choices than they can handle or know what to do with. These psychologically sophisticated forces of influence did not exist in other previous societies. These new devises  prey on the weak like vultures circling a victim as each marketing effort vye for top of mind awareness. With indoctrination into such commercialism there is no room left in a self-absorbed mind.  With lackadaisical minds not preoccupied on survival needs all the time, our lifestyles have become grossly self-absorbed and over consumed by commercial giants we have invented for ourselves. These marketing bullies continually fall over themselves like wild boars crushing man’s internal concept of self and connection to meaning for their lives.

Society is totally unprepared for such a hefty responsibility of managing itself-absorption. Our collective psychology can be seen in pop culture and music of the age. In fact one of my favorite Rockbands, Queensryche has a song called “I am I”. Also, Young Jeezy this year released a rap song with lyrics that say “I Put On (for my city)”. His message is simple to his listeners; publicly represent your origins as an icon. He instills in his listeners that they are little giants of their hometown streets and that they should stake extreme ownership and posses deep religious convictions when identifying with city you hail from no matter where you may roam. The abundant misuse of sacred icons exponentially deteriorates the individual spirituality of everyone. For instance, there are also hordes of gang members who believe that the mere color Red or Blue can propel themselves as Titans of their own empires. These street gangs, like religions continue to clash and fight for their most cherished traditional beliefs first. Such a bloodlust is inhumane. Such energy is invested in their beliefs but how sad are they in their misuse which creates horrible nightmares for society and community progress.

To counter advertisements exploiting cherished icons in our way of living, Thailand is leading the way when on September 10th banned Buddha statues and the image of monks from being used in any form of commercial advertising. More countries should take similar measures to preserve the sanctity of the collective cultural heritage. I am afraid that a new problem presents itself with religious aims to coexist. Thanks to the evolving toleration in America, our country is quickly losing it’s convictions to stand behind the religious origins the democracy was founded upon.

I was raised very humble in the country Kentucky hills and Ohio valleys. I was raised in a fundamental Baptist church. Although I believe many teachings in Christianity especially those which instill meekness and respect, but concerning most teachings I feel mankind simply created the God concept so we do not have to feel so small. I fear people are self-diluting themselves religiously and commercially. I believe most are missing out on so much that science can yield. Personally when I got on my own beyond my parent’s house, I couldn’t stand to feel dead inside any longer waiting hoping for something greater to “intervene”. I can not intend to hope for an epiphany of intervention from a higher power. As for me, I must embrace the pioneering of the scientific method for the things of life which are yet to be discovered.

The technology of the scientific method greatly influences my life. This mindset takes advantage of my evolved self-iconic empowerment and enables my spirit to take full charge and full responsibility of my life on all matters. I can fully choose moment by moment who I want to be in the world. Stemming from the earliest giant Titan myths and messages of prophets, now newly evolved by science these coexisting icons helped collectively evolve my success. Trouble springs up only when such a powerful self-iconic consciousness would begin to dilute itself with vices such as commercialism or extremism. Maintaining a masterful balance like only a scientist can is critical. How’s that for concept in context ?!?!

In closing I’d like to add if only we invested ourselves as much in fellowship, and overall species betterment as much as we do in coveting our religious stances and horde our self-absorbed achievements as iconic demigods; then and only then could mankind as a whole exponentially realize so much more. Furthermore as things stand today, I fear we are simply blinding and limiting ourselves inundated in religious practices. I believe science is the “eye-opening” key which can accelerate such betterment. So what I am saying is that it is a good thing that people use self ionization as an empowering tool to create change in their lives, families and community. But all the while to balance that forming ego, we must remind each other we are all a part of something greater than ourselves. Although I may come from a different covenant than another person, we must keep in mind we are not alone therein is meaning, there is hope. This isn’t exactly a complete answer for me, but it’s a “scientific hypothesis”. I am still working on my one definitive answer, aren’t we all.