Why is it that we want so badly to memorialise ourselves? Even while we're still alive. we wish to assert our existence, like dogs peeing on fire hydrants. we put on display our framed photographs, our parchment diplomas, our silver-plated cups; we monogram our linen, we carve our names on trees, we scrawl them on washroom walls. It's all the same impulse. what do we hope from it? Applause, envy, respect? Or simply attention, of any kind we can get? At the very least we want a witness. we can't stand the idea of our own voices falling silent finally, like a radio turning down.
We have a deep-rooted desire to memorialize ourselves even during our lifetimes, akin to how dogs mark their territory. This need manifests in various forms, such as displaying photos, diplomas, and trophies, or through personal engravings and writings. The common thread in these actions is the search for validation and acknowledgment from others, creating a witness to our existence.
This longing may stem from a fear of invisibility or being forgotten, pushing us to seek acknowledgment in various ways. Whether we crave applause, respect, or simply any form of attention, it reflects an innate need to leave a mark and to affirm our presence in a world that often feels indifferent.
