# janteloven

there's another nordic concept that has always resonated with me: janteloven. it's essentially a cultural code that can be distilled down to a simple sentence: don't think you're special or better than anyone else.

here are a few of the core principles:

  • collective over individual - the group matters more than any single person.
  • humility - you shouldn't boast about achievements, wealth, or status.
  • equality as default - everyone is assumed to be roughly equal.
  • skepticism toward ambition - success is fine, but talking about or displaying success is not.

that being said, i still think individuality is important. one can still be individualistic and be part of a group simultaneously.