In a Guardian article, George Monbiot, suggests that Donald Trump is the “king of the extrinsics“. No? Me neither. I had to Google. Here’s my take on the cake. Make sure that safety bar is in place, and hold onto your hat.

Some psychologists have this theory about our values being like magnets, pulling us towards certain poles. They call them the “intrinsic” and “extrinsic” poles. So, if you’re a hardcore intrinsic values person, you’re all about empathy, intimacy, and self-acceptance. Basically, you’re up for a challenge, down for change, and you’ve got a thing for universal rights, equality, and safeguarding the living world.

It’s like you’ve got a secret superhero cape made of empathy and equality!

Extrinsic and intrinsic folks have completely different vibes and views when it comes to tackling life’s quirks and mysteries. It’s like comparing a caffeinated squirrel to a Zen master on a meditation retreat!

Extrinsic individuals are like magpies chasing after shiny things—wealth, status, and recognition are their shiny treasures. They’re all about those tangible goodies and that sweet, sweet validation from others. It’s like they’re on a mission for the ultimate “like” on social media and the fanciest car in the car park. They’re the real MVPs of the material world, always striving for those visible gold stars of success.

On the flip side, intrinsic folks are like those quirky cacti that don’t need validation from anyone. They’re all about personal growth, genuine passions, and inner values – they’re like their own little motivational cheerleaders! These self-directed unicorns seek fulfilment through awesome experiences and a profound sense of purpose, just like those cool cats who only wear sunglasses at night.

In a nutshell, the wild and wacky world of motivation can be divided into two camps: the extrinsic enthusiasts and the intrinsic aficionados. The extrinsic folks are like magnets, drawn to shiny external rewards like cold, hard cash, the spotlight, or a pat on the back. Their every move is choreographed by the pursuit of material gains and a thirst for social validation.

On the other side of the street, the intrinsic gang dances to the beat of their own drum, seeking fulfilment in personal growth and inner values. They find joy in their journey, driven by purpose, the quest for mastery, and the pure satisfaction of the task at hand.

The interplay between these two tribes is a knotty tangle of motivations and desires that adds colour and spice to our world. Understanding this quirky dynamic can sprinkle a bit of magic into our interactions, relationships, personal quests, and even guide those big-shot organizational strategies and public policies.

Both groups bring something to the table, shaping our priorities and actions. Embracing the unique quirks of each side could just be the key to unlocking a more balanced and all-embracing approach to motivation and happiness.

Ever since Ronald Reagan donned his power suit and promised a nation of “winners” and “losers”, things got so divided that some folks started slipping through the cracks like socks in a dryer. And as Democratic presidents took a liking to Reagan’s ideas, it was like trying to un-ring a bell.

The more they chased after external success, the more people seemed to lean to the right. It’s like a weird cosmic joke – the more you chase the shiny stuff, the more likely you are to vote for the folks who promise even shinier stuff!

The American dream has been hitting the gym and lifting extrinsic values for over a century now, making gains in wealth, flexing it conspicuously, and dodging the constraints of other people’s needs like a professional dodgeball player.

It’s all accompanied by toxic myths about failure and success: the ultimate prize is wealth, no matter the hustle. And let’s not forget the never-ending party of advertising, the society’s extreme makeover into a shopping mall, and the media’s obsession with fame and fashion. All these reinforce the same old story.

The constant marketing of “you’re not good enough” and the creation of unfulfilled desires dig craters in our souls that we desperately try to fill with cold hard cash, fleeting fame, or unlimited power. For decades, these dominant cultural themes have functioned as the perfect incubator of extrinsic values, like a factory producing designer handbags.

A clear sign of this change is the creative blame game in full swing. On both sides of the pond, we’ve taken blaming to a whole new level.

Check this out: apparently, under the new criminal justice bill, folks caught catching some Z’s in public can be slapped with a hefty fine or even put behind bars for up to £2,500 if they are deemed a “nuisance” or cause “damage”.

And would you believe it, according to article 61 of the bill, “damage” includes simply not smelling like a bed of roses. I mean, where do you even begin with that? If someone had £2,500 to spare, they would probably have a cosy place to rest their head. So, the government wants to offer prison beds to the sleep-deprived, but not an actual roof over their heads.

Oh, and let’s not forget the cherry on top: people are getting blamed and treated like hardened criminals for being down on their luck, which, let’s face it, can often be the result of government policies.

Ah, bureaucracy at its finest!

We always seem to be going right, and not just when we’re driving! It’s like we’re stuck on the society merry-go-round, going only in one direction.

Everyone’s so divided, it’s like we’re on different planets! And don’t even get me started on the mental health crisis – it’s like we’re all extras in a bad reality show. But hey, at the end of the day, it all boils down to some serious value shuffling. Our dysfunction might as well be a sitcom, and the symptoms?

Just hilarious side effects!

When a society puts status, money, power, and dominance on a pedestal, it’s basically setting itself up for a cosmic game of musical chairs where there aren’t enough seats for everyone. The big shots scoop up more and more of the pie, leaving the rest of us with crumbs (and not the delicious kind).

Naturally, someone’s got to take the fall for this farce of a situation. But in a world that celebrates the “winners,” they certainly won’t be the ones pointing fingers at themselves. No, no, it has to be those pesky folks striving for a fairer world, where wealth is shared, nobody is left behind, and we actually take care of our communities and the planet.

It’s those folks who hold tight to the idea that material gains and outward success are the end-all, be-all that will cast their vote for the one who seems to embody all of that. Enter Trump. And as the U.S. sways, so do the rest of us. Oh, the joys of living in “interesting times”!

Trump might just win again – and here we go again with the reality show sequel nobody asked for. If that happens, it won’t just be the angry golf club members or the relentless meme warfare to blame. Nope, it’ll also be those ancient values that have been lurking around so long, they’ve become the furniture nobody remembers buying.

We don’t come out of the womb with a user manual for life. Nope, we’re like sponges, soaking up all the weird and wacky stuff around us.

Our values? Yep, they’re like Play-Doh – moulded by the people we hang out with and the crazy customs of our society. Oh, and let’s not forget the political arena! If folks are stuck in a wacky and wild political circus, they’re gonna start thinking that’s just how things are supposed to be. And you know what happens next?

That nutty political circus just keeps on growing bigger and wilder!

If, on the other hand, folks are living in a place where nobody ends up broke, and where social norms revolve around being nice, understanding, and living without the need for much, their priorities are likely to shift towards the good stuff.

This whole process is known as policy feedback, or the “values ratchet”. The values ratchet works its magic on both society and individuals: a strong focus on external achievements often stems from feeling insecure and having unmet desires. These external aspirations then just lead to more insecurity and unmet desires – what a rollercoaster!