Let’s call this the posture of Affirmation. It is an endorsement of contemporary society as it is basically constructed, but more importantly, an affirmation of self-belonging.20 Yes, life is difficult, it says. But if you apply yourself, visualize your goals, believe in yourself, and commit to perpetual self-improvement through technique, you can achieve a kind of mastery over life, at least in comparison to other people. You can be responsible for your own existence.
