Let’s define our future selves as agents that we can strongly influence, and that we strongly care about.
Technical implication: My worst enemy is an instance of my self.
Actual implication: Relationships that don’t include a massive power differential or a complete lack of emotional connection are entirely masturbatory.
It is critical to consider that thing which is “future agents that we strongly care about and can influence” but calling those things our ‘future selves’ makes little sense unless they are, well, actually our future selves.
The other way around, surely? If your ‘future self’ is defined as something you have power over, how could a relationship of equals be masturbatory?
Equal or greater implies influence therefore they are yourself. If you have much much less power than them then perhaps you have no influence and so they may not be yourself.
Technical implication: My worst enemy is an instance of my self.
Actual implication: Relationships that don’t include a massive power differential or a complete lack of emotional connection are entirely masturbatory.
It is critical to consider that thing which is “future agents that we strongly care about and can influence” but calling those things our ‘future selves’ makes little sense unless they are, well, actually our future selves.
This explains so much.
The other way around, surely? If your ‘future self’ is defined as something you have power over, how could a relationship of equals be masturbatory?
Equal or greater implies influence therefore they are yourself. If you have much much less power than them then perhaps you have no influence and so they may not be yourself.