How does this fit with the 'Lean In' mantra being peddled by the likes of Sheryl Sandberg? One of the things that most offends me about SS is the implicit suggestion that women would be better off if they could somehow become as obnoxious as men.
27
If the author wants true obscurity and "invisibleness", I would highly recommend she spend some time in the corporate business world as a worker - certainly not as a "C-Level" master. She will soon learn the true meaning of not being recognized for anything except being a cog - the one thing I can think of being worse is the suffering and non-recognition of our poor and homeless. Sadly, oftentimes being a minority brings on too much recognition, of the wrong kind - whatever the culture/race/ethnicity.
29
"We live in a time and culture that value display and are largely indifferent to the virtues of passing unnoticed." Although perhaps this is true, this is far too bold of a statement to make without any sociological facts or research to bear it any validity. Our U.S. culture? Which generation? What facts do you have? Without these answers, this piece comes off seemingly based on the author's own anecdotal/personal-driven grievance. I will do a little generalizing myself: Western culture embraces individualism. Wouldn't it seem natural that we heap praise to those who embody this ideal? Perhaps the author's complaint is not a relatively new phenomenon.
I love invisibility. The problem is nosy people will not leave you alone, particularly when trying to be invisible.
15
As a Sufi teacher once told me, 'The true Sufi is nobody."
Thank you for this in-dwelling piece of precise and delicate beauty.
Thank you for this in-dwelling piece of precise and delicate beauty.
28
Being able to fully participate in life, and yet be invisible is a real art. There is a real art to being able to hide in plain sight.
27
Invisibility in nature (which is a dangerous moral guide, IMHO) derives from the need to remain undetected by predators; it is not so much about blending into an environment to contemplate as it is becoming like an environment so that you are not killed. Fitness, a terribly misunderstood concept in the theory of natural selection, refers an organisms success at reproducing -- finding ample food, attracting a mate, and staying alive long enough to do so. In the human social realm, as other comments have pointed out, forced invisibility is a kind of oppression. One gets the sense from the essay -- which we might point out does nothing to achieve invisibility for Akiko Busch -- that the real desire is to have others disappear. This is a finely written complaint about the too-muchness of everyone else's presence in the age of social media. In which case perhaps rather than romanticizing invisibility as an art akin to nature, one should simply turn off their computer and saunter for a while in a quiet natural setting away from others.
50
What a fabulous and timely opinion piece. Speaking with a Millennial the other day she could not understand why I did not put much weight in compliments or what others thought of me. She admitted that she dressed a certain way so that others would notice her. Why did I not care if my husband "dressed up" for me? I could tell that she was perplexed as to why I put less weight on my external self than my internal self. Two joys of aging - settling into not caring what others think of me and invisibility. It feels so natural and It's been a relief not to expend so much energy in this area. Because we live in such an extroverted obsessed society, it was hard for many years to love and accept my mostly introverted nature. Now, fully embracing it.
86
I have been involved in "Nature Walks" for years, at a local Federal Wildlife Refuge. People tend to walk the trails, observing nature, all the while failing to see what's most important (and obvious). One typical example: A woman was standing a few feet from me asking about snakes. By coincidence I was able to say to her yes, we have them, the most common being the Garter Snake...like the one lying next to your right foot. I try to impart the importance of slowing down, of learning to watch and listen to nature. When you walk through an area the natural creatures sense this and go quiet. Sit for awhile and most will resume their activity. That's when we learn. And we can do the same with people. Sitting in a park, or at a restaurant, observing families interact can be as interesting as a good book. We can all benefit from turning our eyes and thoughts from ourselves to what's around us, at any time and place. The world is still interesting, but we need to learn how to become aware of it.
32
Thank you for this wonderful essay. You have become one of my favorite writers. In our noisy world, quiet itself has become invisible.
(confession: I stole part of this in response to another article about reverse engineering, such a good contrast)
(confession: I stole part of this in response to another article about reverse engineering, such a good contrast)
15
One of the benefits of growing older is invisibility. I like it very much.
85
Beautifully written and a needed reminder! Being present in the moment, without being ostentatious, really does make you notice beauty, elegance, and others more.
30
if only today's biggest attention-seeking hogs - Kim Kardashian wins that contest hands down - were invisible. A year working in a soup kitchen - without instagrams or tweets - would build some character.
30
Thank you for this beautiful piece. I like "I also saw that its elegance was a matter not just of its delicate frame and subdued color, but of its discretion as well." May we find more elegant discretion in life.
38
Restoring mystery and magic. Thank you.
18
Why did the writer mention that Kaling was Indian-American? Had the actress been, say, Meryl Streep would the writer have said "the European-American actress Meryl Streep ..."? Or if it had been Halle Berry would it have said "the African-American actress Halle Berry ..."? I don't think so.
22
Why? because the American-Indian nation has a deep abiding respect for the natural world and are a people who don't even believe in actually owning land.
We all could learn something from them.
We all could learn something from them.
15
I think the actress is obscure enough to most of us that the Indian-American description was appropriate, in this context, for clarification. I've never heard of her and it's nice to know she's Indian-American. I'm sure the writer meant no insult. Lighten up.
31
Maybe because being an Indian American is a large part of what makes her invisible.
11
Introverts rejoice!
62
To be invisible we must all begin the immense approaching human rights struggle to control our data and online selves.
We must resist compelling tech novelties that will record our personal habits without privacy guarantees and regulations, and must reconsider the shiny ephemeral self marketing (facebook) we participate in every day.
We must resist compelling tech novelties that will record our personal habits without privacy guarantees and regulations, and must reconsider the shiny ephemeral self marketing (facebook) we participate in every day.
17
The slim list of comments is testament to the wisdom of this piece. In light of the rampant narcissism that has pervaded our culture since the late 60's, this is a refreshing reminder of how close, quiet observation can bring proportion, humility, serenity, and freedom to our Facebook-ended lives. Thank you for this beautifully written reminder.
97
In the "age" of the Kardashians, escaping notice is not a virtue. Perhaps Andy Warhol's oft-quoted statement should be reworded to read, "some day everyone will try to be famous for at least six months."
3
@Fred P: I believe you have misquoted - Mr. Warhol said that "in the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes", which has been truncated to the more familiar "15 minutes of fame".
3
Keep these outstanding humicons (humanistic iconic images) coming.
Before V was for Vendetta, it was for Victory.
Before T was for totalitarianism, it was for Truth.
Masks can signal or convey or reveal truth, unfettered by dogma - and unbeknownst to dogmatists.
"... Who is but the form following the function of what and what I am is a man in a mask...
(BTW, over time, I've contacted several of your artists, and bought some of their art or prints...it's my blow against unaffordable NYC art)
Before V was for Vendetta, it was for Victory.
Before T was for totalitarianism, it was for Truth.
Masks can signal or convey or reveal truth, unfettered by dogma - and unbeknownst to dogmatists.
"... Who is but the form following the function of what and what I am is a man in a mask...
(BTW, over time, I've contacted several of your artists, and bought some of their art or prints...it's my blow against unaffordable NYC art)
1
If one is invisible, it's hard to get hurt. If one craves constant attention, the door is wide open to being hurt.
14
Walden Pond.
15
Stepping back to take in the multivariate wonder in contemplation of what is, rather than what should be, is informing and reforming. But do that enough, and you'll find that uniqueness is common and not at all special. All specific things are merely the particular outcome of common general processes; no more, no less. There is nothing special about being, er, special.
...
But when I saw the title, I thought it might refer to a common experience during the Second Great Depression, and that is one of becoming invisible to society by wearing the poor clothing that comes with economic ruin. If you would like to speak with those who know full well what it is to be invisible, talk to a homeless person. It is a different and somewhat less ennobling view of the "lightness of being."
...
But when I saw the title, I thought it might refer to a common experience during the Second Great Depression, and that is one of becoming invisible to society by wearing the poor clothing that comes with economic ruin. If you would like to speak with those who know full well what it is to be invisible, talk to a homeless person. It is a different and somewhat less ennobling view of the "lightness of being."
58
Bingo....to choose to be "invisible" is a luxury.
30
beautifully said. thank you-
from a George Orwell essay: "All people who work with their hands are partly invisible.." and, "People with brown skins are next door to invisible."
unseen.. to whom?!
it's all very well to tout the wisdom, for it is, indeed wisdom, of developing a sense of vigilance, etc- but knowing the writer of the essay is a woman casts a shadow on it, for me (also a woman).
for whom are we making ourselves invisible-- or am I conflating the argument with the disquieting adage, "don't make waves."
from a George Orwell essay: "All people who work with their hands are partly invisible.." and, "People with brown skins are next door to invisible."
unseen.. to whom?!
it's all very well to tout the wisdom, for it is, indeed wisdom, of developing a sense of vigilance, etc- but knowing the writer of the essay is a woman casts a shadow on it, for me (also a woman).
for whom are we making ourselves invisible-- or am I conflating the argument with the disquieting adage, "don't make waves."
4
Zhuangzi, The basic writings!
5
The French have a saying: To be happy stay hidden."
55
I've seen quite a few arctic fox and though they do have great camouflage they are a pesky nuisance and hardly invisible. Tundra rats is more like it.
4