At the end of the 1997 film adaptation of Carl Sagan’s science fiction novel “Contact,” the main character — played by Jodie Foster — sits overlooking a grandiose canyon and the vast expanse of the night sky. After experiencing a journey through the galaxy and an encounter with an advanced alien civilization, she is unable to relate to humanity. She is left isolated in her experience and in her knowledge.
As social beings, we process our experiences in relation to those of our peers and the people around us. But what happens when we encounter an opportunity that is beyond what any of our peers have experienced (or are likely to ever experience)? These so-called “special experiences” can be defined as experiences in our lives that most people will never have.
The “Contact” example is a dramatization of a phenomenon observed by a University professor in a recent study about the effects of special experiences on happiness and successful social interactions. The study concluded, “the benefits of being blessed with extraordinary opportunities do not match the social costs.” In other words, special experiences can lead to isolation and alienation from our peers, who may experience envy or resentment. The authors argue that special experiences, such as climbing Mt. Everest, meeting the president of the United States or competing in the Olympic Games, while they are exhilarating at first, can be detrimental to long-term happiness (in that they put our position in our community of peers into question).
Although the evidence in this study suggests special experiences can be socially taxing, they give meaning and purpose to our lives and inspire our action. Thus, they are worthwhile.
This summer, I watched the sunrise over the Sahara from the top of a sand dune in Merzouga, Morocco. After six weeks abroad, I returned home with a camera roll full of pictures, ten University credits, and recollections of cities and countrysides fantastically different than any place I had ever visited. I spent the summer days learning a new language, tasting exotic foods and relishing in the discomfort that comes from spending extended amounts of time away from my home country. Despite various experiences of culture shock, wandering the streets of Chefchaouen — where buildings and streets are painted mediterranean blue — is an experience that I would not trade for anything. I also have never felt this experience set me apart from my peers in a detrimental way. Rather, I have enjoyed sharing what I learned while abroad, and my stories have been met with genuine interest rather than apathy or resentment.
An exploration of the “downside of privilege” is interesting because it presents a side of the privilege dynamic that is rarely examined or discussed. I was not surprised that the psychologists concluded privilege can lead to feelings of social exclusion. I would be interested to see what would happen if the experiment were flipped, and the under-privileged or normal side of the situation was examined. I would imagine that those in an under-privileged position would also cite feelings of exclusion if surrounded by people more privileged than themselves. However, I do not think the findings of this study should prompt people to pursue a more “run-of-the-mill” life. I think most of my friends and peers who have had special experiences such as studying abroad or receiving an award would agree that feelings of isolation (which may or may not occur in real-world situations) pale in comparison to the excitement felt during these experiences.
The word privilege has become an especially charged buzzword: it has appeared in debates about affirmative action, income inequality and access to leadership positions in society. Institutions that support systematic inequality should be questioned, challenged and reimagined. However, those who find themselves in privileged situations should not shirk away from the opportunities they encounter. For example, if you have the financial flexibility to study in a foreign country, this experience can be formative and consequential in your life.
In “Contact,” the protagonist took advantage of the opportunity that came her way: to be the first human to encounter extraterrestrial life. She never questioned how she would relate to others who would never have a similar experience. Rather, she had an “out of this world” experience that was meaningful to her in a way that could not be communicated to others. When asked to withdraw her testimony, she refused and described the awe and humility she felt at seeing some of the universe’s most fascinating phenomena.
Special experiences should be met with reflection. Awards and accolades should be met with gratitude. Study abroad experiences should be met with appreciation and perspective rather than entitlement. To quote Voltaire (and subsequently Spiderman’s Uncle Ben): “with great power comes great responsibility.” Privilege (in this case in the form of special experiences), despite its negative connotation, can (and should) be a platform for meaningful action.
Mary Russo is an Opinion Columnist for The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at m.russo@cavalierdaily.com.
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