Hi, dear listeners! Today, we’re talking about something that bridges psychology, philosophy, and the modern challenges we face in our over-connected yet deeply disconnected world. We’re going to talk about Carl Jung, his concept of the collective unconscious, and how technology might just be pulling us away from our humanity.
Let’s start with a question: Have you ever felt like we, as a society, are living more superficially than ever before? Like we’ve lost touch with something essential—something that connects us to each other, to nature, and to the deeper meaning of life? If you’ve ever had that nagging feeling, you’re not alone. Carl Jung, one of the greatest minds in psychology, was worried about this too—long before the invention of smartphones, social media, and 24/7 news cycles. His ideas about the collective unconscious and the dangers of losing touch with it feel eerily prophetic today.
Before we dive into his ideas, let’s answer the first question: Who was Carl Jung? Born in 1875, Carl Gustav Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded what we now call analytical psychology. If you’ve ever heard terms like archetypes, the shadow, or introversion and extroversion, you can thank Jung for that.
Jung was deeply interested in the human psyche—not just as an individual experience, but as something connected to a broader, collective experience. While his contemporaries, like Sigmund Freud, focused on the individual’s unconscious (repressed memories, desires, and fears), Jung went a step further and introduced the concept of the collective unconscious.
What Is the Collective Unconscious? The collective unconscious, according to Jung, is the shared reservoir of knowledge, instincts, and wisdom that humanity has accumulated over millennia. Think of it as the inherited blueprint of human experience—a place where universal symbols, archetypes, and patterns of behavior reside.
Jung believed that this collective unconscious is the foundation of many aspects of human life, from myths and religions to our instincts and moral compasses. It’s what connects us to our ancestors, to nature, and to each other. It’s why stories about heroes, tricksters, and mentors resonate across cultures, and why certain symbols—like a circle representing wholeness or a tree symbolizing growth—show up in art and mythology all over the world.
Now, let’s fast-forward to today. Jung warned us in the early part of the 20th century, mind you - that as technology advanced, humanity might become disconnected from the collective unconscious. Why? Because technology often encourages us to live superficially. Instead of tapping into age-old wisdom, instincts, and the deeper meanings of life, we get caught up in screens, distractions, and instant gratification.
Think about it:
• We scroll through social media, comparing ourselves to curated versions of other people’s lives.
• We consume sensationalized news without questioning its accuracy or intent.
• We lose hours to apps and devices designed to hijack our attention, leaving little room for introspection or connection to something bigger than ourselves.
When we live this way, we lose touch with our instincts, which are part of the collective unconscious. We forget how to navigate life with a sense of purpose and meaning. And, as Jung feared, we become increasingly disconnected from the very things that make us human.
Let’s break this down further. Living superficially means operating at the surface level—focusing on appearances, short-term pleasures, and external validation. It’s a far cry from the deep, instinctual, and meaningful existence that the collective unconscious invites us to explore.
Here are some signs that we, as a society, are living superficially:
• Lack of Critical Thinking: We believe fake news and fall victim to scams because we don’t take the time to check multiple sources or think critically about what we’re consuming.
• Erosion of Morals: Without the grounding influence of the collective unconscious, which carries the moral wisdom of generations, we struggle to navigate ethical dilemmas and make decisions rooted in humanity and empathy.
• Disconnectedness from other human beings. We can see crime and war as examples of this. Mass shootings, road rage, war crimes – all of that shows just how much we don’t care about others anymore.
• Dissociation from Purpose: Many of us feel lost, unsure of our purpose or place in the world. This dissociation often stems from being disconnected from the deeper layers of our psyche.
Jung believed that this kind of disconnection wasn’t just a personal problem—it was a societal one. He called it an “overculture,” where the values of the collective are shaped - and our overculture seems to be shaped by superficiality rather than depth and meaning.
Does This Mean We’ve Lost Our Humanity? Not necessarily, but we are at risk of losing touch with it. Jung saw humanity’s instincts and morals as deeply intertwined with the collective unconscious. When we ignore or suppress that unconscious, we cut ourselves off from the wisdom that has guided humanity for centuries. It’s no wonder we’re seeing rising rates of anxiety, depression, and a general sense of emptiness in modern society.
We haven’t lost our humanity—it’s still there, buried under layers of distractions, noise, and disconnection. The question is: How do we find our way back?
The good news is, we can reconnect. It’s not easy, but it’s possible. Here are some steps we can take as individuals and as a society to regain our sense of connection, humanity, and purpose.
1. Embrace Silence and Solitude. Jung believed that introspection was key to accessing the unconscious mind. In today’s world, silence and solitude are rare commodities, but they’re essential for reconnecting with yourself and the collective unconscious.
How to Do It:
• Set aside time each day for quiet reflection, whether it’s through meditation, journaling, or simply sitting in nature without distractions.
• Turn off your devices for a set period each day to create space for deeper thoughts and emotions.
2. Explore Archetypes and Myths
Jung believed that archetypes—universal symbols and patterns—are a direct link to the collective unconscious. By studying myths, legends, and stories from different cultures, you can tap into that shared reservoir of wisdom. All the fantasy movies out now are grest ways to do this – but just don’t watch them – thank about them!
How to Do It:
• Read books or watch documentaries and movies about myths and archetypes. Notice how they resonate with your own experiences and emotions.
• Reflect on the archetypes in your own life. Are you embodying the hero, the caregiver, the seeker, or another archetype?
3. Reconnect with Nature
Nature is a powerful reminder of our connection to the larger web of life. Jung believed that modern humanity’s disconnection from nature was a major source of our existential angst.
• Spend time outdoors, whether it’s a hike in the woods, a walk in the park, or simply sitting under a tree.
• Observe the natural rhythms of the seasons, the weather, and the cycles of life. These rhythms are deeply ingrained in the collective unconscious.
4. Question Everything
Jung warned that technological advances could make us gullible, prone to believing fake news and falling for scams. To counter this, we need to cultivate critical thinking and curiosity.
• Fact-check information from multiple sources before accepting it as true. I always go for at least three to four opposing sources myself.
• Practice asking questions like “Who benefits from this narrative?” and “What’s the bigger context here?”
5. Practice Mindfulness and Active Imagination
Mindfulness helps you stay present and connected to your inner self, while Active Imagination—a technique developed by Jung—helps you dialogue with the unconscious.
• Try mindfulness meditation, focusing on your breath and observing your thoughts without judgment.
• Use Active Imagination to explore images, symbols, or emotions that arise in your mind. Ask them questions and see what answers emerge.
6. Seek Community and Authentic Connection
The collective unconscious is about shared human experience, and connecting with others is one of the best ways to tap into it.
• Join groups or communities that share your interests, values, or passions.
• Have deep, meaningful conversations that go beyond surface-level topics.
Carl Jung’s warnings about technology and disconnection are more relevant than ever. But while technology has made life more complicated, it’s also given us tools to reconnect—if we use them wisely. The collective unconscious hasn’t gone anywhere; it’s just waiting for us to remember it’s there.
So, my challenge to you is this: Take one step today to reconnect with the deeper layers of yourself, your community, and the world around you. Whether it’s through introspection, nature, or meaningful conversation, every step counts.
Let’s reclaim our humanity, one connection at a time. Until next time, stay curious, stay connected, and remember—you’re part of something much bigger than yourself.