The brain-powered individual, which is variously called the self, the ego, the mind, or “me,” lies at the center of Western thought. In the worldview of the West, we herald the greatest thinkers as world-changers. There is no more concise example of this than philosopher René Descartes’ famous statement, “Cogito, ergo sum,” or, “I think, therefore I am.” But who is this? Let’s take a closer look at the thinker, or the “me,” we all take for granted.
IT'S BEEN A WHILE since we've covered the Met Gala—2014, in fact—(here and here), and once again in 2018. Of course, it was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, but this year, it was brought back and there was so much social media coverage of it, it's clear that everyone is relieved to have some happy distraction to report on for a change ...