Self-image without a corrective

It is probably everyone's desire that others accept their own self-image at face value without reservation. For good reason, Luhmann's primary recommendation for successfully dealing with superiors is to reflect their self-image back to them. If the boss considers himself to be particularly eloquent, particularly innovative or particularly assertive, then you communicate with him as if he really is. Advertising works in the same way, not doubting for a second that everyone who thinks to be particularly masculine and therefore buys particularly masculine products is particularly masculine. It's a beautiful world in which you are not only accepted for who you are, but—even better—for who you like to be.

Many of today's social conflicts have to do with individuals or groups demanding their self-image to be accepted at face value by everyone else without any reservations. As human beings are predisposed to mocking criticism—especially the further apart self-image and reality are—this can ultimately only work if freedom of expression is restricted. For the time being, only the threat of punishment can prevent the absurd from being ridiculed. But can that work in the long term? I have my doubts. With every absurdity, the cost of suppression increases and the will to speak the truth becomes stronger. And having all of us—especially the powerful—anchored in reality through feedback from our environment doesn't exactly seem like a terrifying world to me either.