Why is it we want so badly to memorialize 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 running down.
Humans possess a deep-seated desire to memorialize their existence, seeking validation and recognition even while still alive. This instinct parallels the way dogs mark their territory, as individuals showcase personal achievements and memories through displays like photographs and diplomas. The common thread in these actions is a yearning for acknowledgment—whether through respect, envy, or simply attention from others.
Underlying this need for memorialization is a fear of being forgotten. People desire witnesses to their lives, someone to acknowledge their existence, mirroring the anxiety of a fading voice. The quest for recognition drives us to leave our mark and seek connection, ultimately highlighting our vulnerability in the face of time and oblivion.
