Samophobia

Samophobia” is a social concept invented by Ashequr Rahman. Samophobia recognizes conflicting and challenging relation between two persons with more genetical, upbringing, educational and other similarities.

Sociological terms, ideas and thoughts work as the guideline for the persons, groups, classes, races and nations to communicate each other and to accomplish their projects and programs properly and positively. Such terms and ideas are introduced by sociologists, philosophers, thinkers, communicators, pioneers, social lawmakers and, sometimes, these thoughts and ideas come from the unknown people and groups of the society. For example, Communism, Socialism, Buddhism etc.

Family is the primary organization of the society and the practice of positive thinking is born and brought up from the family. A person learns different terms, thoughts and ideas from the family. Sometimes, these thoughts and ideas are brought from religion, educators or from the intellectuals of the society. It is important to identify and address Samophobia in its early stages to prevent it from causing further damage. Building strong relationships and bonding between individuals can help to overcome this fear and foster collaboration, leading to the successful resolution of complex problems. Samophobia is more likely to occur between individuals with similar backgrounds and qualifications. Therefore, it is important to promote diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of society to prevent the development of Samophobia and to encourage collaboration and innovation.

In modern days, Family relationship gets very complicated. We compare more, love less. Sometimes family upbringing plays a vital role in cousin’s relationship. If our parents continuously force us to compete with cousins in education, sports etc , this usually get worse when they grow up. They become competitors in every sector in life (career, earnings, marriage, reputation) , this goes on till death sometimes.

We can also see similar situations in the same university classmates or colleagues from the same office and between neighbors. More educational, upbringing and other similarities leads to more conflicting relationships.

One of the most concerning aspects of samophobia is that it can inhibit progress and innovation. In situations where collaboration is necessary, such as in the workplace, research, or entrepreneurship, samophobia can prevent individuals from sharing ideas, asking for help, or working together effectively. This can be particularly detrimental in the early stages of projects or initiatives when creativity and teamwork are essential.

Furthermore, samophobia can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Individuals who experience samophobia may struggle to form meaningful relationships with others who are similar to themselves, leading to a lack of social support and a sense of disconnection from their peers.

However, it is important to note that samophobia is not a fixed or unchangeable trait. With awareness and effort, individuals can learn to overcome their fear and form strong bonds with others who are similar to themselves. This can involve seeking out opportunities for collaboration, actively engaging with others who share similar interests or backgrounds, and practicing empathy and compassion towards oneself and others.

Moreover, organizations and communities can play a critical role in addressing samophobia. By promoting diversity and inclusivity, organizations can create environments where individuals from different backgrounds and with different experiences can work together towards common goals. By fostering a culture of collaboration and support, communities can help individuals to overcome their fear of similarity and form meaningful connections with others.

While samophobia is a relatively new concept but it has significant implications for individuals, organizations, and communities. By acknowledging the existence of this fear and taking steps to address it, we can create environments that foster innovation, creativity, and meaningful relationships. By overcoming samophobia, we can unlock the potential of individuals and communities, leading to the successful resolution of complex problems and the creation of a more connected and inclusive society.

Samophobia is a research on human behavior. Samophobia destroys many early stage ideas, initiatives and projects. Many potential leaders, entrepreneurs, creative minds cannot reach their goals, because of early stage conflict and demotivation. If we can identify Samophobia in early stage and build strong bonding, we can solve big problems together, the problems we previously thought impossible to solve. Because Samophobia most likely to happen between people with same level of capacity, education, qualification and background.

Example of Samophobia in University:

Nafis studies in University A department of Engineering, Nafis needs 100 dollar loan for an emergency situation and Nafis ask for loan to Karim (one of your classmates in Engineering department) Karim may think

  1. If I give Nafis 100 dollar now, will he help me in the exam ?
  2. If I lend Nafis money, I have a close friend who has some issues with him, that friend will be angry at me.

If you ask that loan from Rubel ( Department of Law ) student, Rubel is less likely to think in that complicated way.

Example of Samophobia in Office:

Mesbah and Lamisa are two sales representatives working for the same company. They both have similar levels of education, experience, and qualifications, and they have worked together on previous sales campaigns. During a sales strategy meeting, Lamisa becomes defensive when Mesbah suggests a different approach:

Mesbah: “I think we should try targeting a different demographic with this campaign. We might have better success if we focus on a younger audience.”

Lamisa: “I disagree. Our company has always focused on our traditional customer base, and we shouldn’t change that. We know what works.”

Mesbah: “I understand that, but I think we should at least explore some alternatives. We want to make sure we’re reaching as many potential customers as possible.”

Lamisa: “I don’t think we have time to experiment with untested strategies. We need to stick to what we know works.”

In this conversation, Lamisa is experiencing Samophobia, fearing that Mesbah’s suggestions will make her appear less competent or diminish her contributions to the project. Her defensiveness and unwillingness to consider alternative perspectives may be hindering the team’s ability to generate innovative sales strategies.

Example of Samophobia in International Relations

In a high-level diplomatic meeting between two countries, there may be a sense of Samophobia from both sides. Each country may be protective of their own interests and may view the other as a threat to their own power or identity. This can lead to a breakdown in communication and cooperation, and may even result in conflict or war.

For example, consider a meeting between the leaders of two countries who have historically had tense relations. Each leader may come to the table with a strong sense of Samophobia towards the other side:

Leader A: “I can’t believe we have to sit across the table from these people. They’re not to be trusted.”

Leader B: “We have to be careful with them. They’re always trying to undermine our power.”

In this situation, the leaders may be so focused on protecting their own interests and identity that they are unable to find common ground or reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

To overcome this, diplomacy must be based on mutual respect, empathy, and understanding. Leaders must work to overcome Samophobia by recognizing the importance of collaboration and cooperation, and by seeking to understand the other side’s perspective. By working towards a shared goal and finding areas of common ground, leaders can build stronger relationships and create a more peaceful world.

Example of Samophobia in Politics

In a legislative body, there may be a sense of Samophobia between members of different political parties who hold opposing views on important issues. Each party may be protective of their own agenda and may view the other party as a threat to their own success. This can lead to gridlock and may prevent the legislative body from passing meaningful legislation.

For example, during a debate on healthcare reform, the following conversation might occur:

Member A: “The healthcare system is broken and we need to enact major reforms to fix it.”

Member B: “We can’t trust the government to fix healthcare. We need to let the free market work and give people more choices.”

In this situation, both members are experiencing Samophobia towards each other, which is preventing them from finding common ground and passing meaningful legislation. This can lead to a stalemate and may result in a continued broken healthcare system.

To overcome this, members of the legislative body must prioritize compromise and collaboration. By working together and recognizing the strengths and contributions of each party, members can find common ground and pass meaningful legislation that serves the needs of all citizens. They can also work to overcome Samophobia by listening to each other’s perspectives and finding ways to bridge the gap between their differing views. By putting aside their differences and working towards a common goal, politicians can create a more effective and inclusive government that serves the needs of all citizens.

Writer with Patrick McGinnis, inventor of term “fear of missing out” (FOMO) at Dhaka University

Original article at http://www.ashequrrahman.com.

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