The Nebulous "They"

George Herbert Mead, an influential early 20th-century sociologist, coined the term “generalized other” to describe the vague group we consider when shaping our actions. How often do we behave a certain way, hoping for the approval of this nebulous “they”? When we worry about failure, it’s often because we fear “they” will judge us harshly.

We find ourselves pleading our case for personal worth before this unspecified audience, with our sense of well-being frequently resting on the judgment we imagine they pass on us. How many opportunities do we give up on because we don't want…