Declaration of Dependence

Dependence. The word itself means to rely on something or someone else, to put confidence in an item other than oneself to provide support. In modern times, the concept has acquired a negative connotation, becoming associated with weakness and an inability to manage oneself. Some go to the extent to say that those who are dependent on another person in any way cannot have their own identity. Independence has become the only route deemed acceptable for an individual to take, and once people reach that point, they often don't go back. In the music industry, it has been much more common for one or more stand-out members of a group to "go solo" than for bands to reunite.

Last month, one of my favorite bands, the Kings of Convenience, released an album titled Declaration of Dependence. After five years, the artists, Eirik Boe and Erlend Oye, returned from performing with their respective side projects and by themselves to record, in my mind, one of the greatest albums of the year. The sound that they create on this album, as is the case with all their albums, is one they can make only together. Seldom before have I heard two musicians harmonize so beautifully. Commenting on the title of the album, Oye said "We want to give the idea of dependence a better name. Independence has been the thing for hundreds of years, but being dependent on someone is good." During the gap between the albums, the two remained friends, and Boe even played as a guest at some of the shows of The Whitest Boy Alive, Oye's successful side project. But, in order to make such beautiful music, they had to overcome their differences and realize that they need each other.

There has been an ongoing debate as to whether it is a necessity of human beings to interact with others of their own kind, or whether the individual being is more important. The father of existentialism, Sartre, states clearly his view that all things important arise from the individual. I am currently rehearsing to play the role of Joseph Garcin, a man trapped in hell with two other people, in Sartre's play Huis Clos (translated into English as No Exit). Throughout the play, Garcin strives to be alone with his own thoughts, yet cannot escape interaction with the other two. Finally, at the end of the play, he famously spouts "Hell is -- other people!" Sartre's country-mate, Michel Foucault, wrote extensively from the other point of view. He believed that it is through society and its structures that mankind functions and advances. This is not to say that individual thought is not important and does not contribute to the progress of the human race, just that those thoughts must be introduced into the society and applied on a larger scale.

It seems obvious to me that human interaction is a basic necessity of each man. Without other beings, man is lead to loneliness and ultimately insanity. I need to interact with other people in order for my day to be complete. There are times, however, where each individual needs their own space, needs time for themselves, with themselves, without other beings. But this must be balanced with time spent with other beings. Being independent and an individual are both extremely important for every person. One needs to come to terms with oneself, respect oneself, and that things should be performed for personal satisfaction rather than trumping the opposition. What I am ultimately attempting to say is that dependency and independency go hand-in-hand. Both are important, but both in moderation. At the core, Sartre is right: each person is their own being. Without society that being would, however, not be able to function.

In my personal life, the single issue prominent issue that my love has brought up is that she needs her own space. I understand we are both very capable of being, and are, independent. It is because we are capable of being on our own that we can therefore be dependent on each other. I put my trust and confidence in her, and she puts her trust and confidence in me as well. Through the great amount of love we express, we are dependent on each other. This would not be possible if I was not one with myself. Nowadays, the music industry seems to be catching on by forming supergroups. If RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and Ol' Dirty Bastard didn't have successful careers of their own prior to joining forces, the Wu-Tang Clan would never have been as popular or influential as they were when they released their debut album.

Dependence and Independence. Both are positive values that work in harmony, much like the voices of the Kings of Convenience. I hereby independently declare dependence on my love.