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Combating Compartmentalization

-- By ChaseLax - 13 Mar 2015

Risk Averse Control Freaks

“Risk averse control freaks.” Though I laughed when we were introduced to this classification during our first meeting, I was hiding a wave of anxiety that only subsided as I left the room and began to think about my 2:50 PM Property section. The next afternoon, I discovered that two of my friends in our class had decided to transfer into different electives, and I realized why I had been so rattled by those particular words.

Now, after our discussions on subconscious mental activity and the merits of law school and corporate firms, I don’t disagree with Eben’s assessment that “the building is burning.” Thus far, however, I feel as though my willingness to hear and learn potentially identity-altering ideas has yet to translate into any self-initiative to delve deeper.

Naturally, I have begun to wonder, even if we are receptive to critical thought on these matters, are we, as risk averse control freaks, able to do anything about it? Will we always be compelled to run back inside the burning building, and if so, can we combat this default behavior?

Compartmentalization

We have established that “splitting” is an inevitable aspect of our social interactions. Therefore, in order to overcome our tendency to dissociate from inconvenient realities, it may be more useful to target the mental mechanism that directly facilitates fission, specifically, the initial isolating instance of compartmentalization.

Though I feel influenced each week by our meetings, how is it that as soon as I leave the classroom I am so easily able to re-calibrate my line of thinking and immediately immerse myself back into the routine of reading case-law? Though not yet a “deep moral compromise,” this internal resistance is strikingly similar to Carl Wylie’s propensity to compartmentalize prior to sublimating his feelings and “splitting off.” Wylie exudes detachment, as even when he discusses money, ostensibly his primary concern as a corporate lawyer, he quips that he “doesn’t know” what it is and “doesn’t really care.” Wylie’s preoccupation with chaos, although perhaps the ironic result of an aimless attempt at enlightenment, is also emblematic of this willing disconnection. By fetishizing intricacy and the unfathomable, the Partner can protectively shield himself from deeper thought and self-reflection.

Understanding but Not Internalizing

Crucially, Wylie’s indifference is not the result of a failure to comprehend or a stubborn active denial of the realities of his work. Rather, he understands the ruinous consequences associated with many of his deals, but does not internalize them. Similarly, “Jack” exhibits the same type of conduct during his therapy session with the psychiatrist. The attorney recognizes and fathoms the doctor’s diagnosis, but instead of allowing this self-understanding to manifest, he compartmentalizes the reality and deflects the inconvenient information.

Prioritization

Conversely, Robinson does not engage in such undiscerning compartmentalization. Rather, the criminal lawyer exhibits prioritization, as he allows himself to internalize reality, form convictions, and act within his niche after forging this deeper understanding. Robinson doesn’t blind himself, but rather makes informed decisions, a manner of conduct that is especially evident when Joseph attempts to pinpoint possible contradictions in Robinson’s work. When the poet questions the merits of putting people in jail, Robinson authentically responds that “at least [he’ll] know how to try a case,” a testament to his self-awareness.

Productive Dissociation

Significantly, though Robinson can appreciate the ramifications of his conduct without sublimating his real feelings, since he is “never far from evil,” he nonetheless is perfectly capable of shrouding certain realities in order to more effectively operate within his niche. Unsurprisingly therefore, Robinson consistently attempts to deflate the importance of his self compromises with over-the-top, sarcastic remarks, and even suffers serious heart palpitations when confronted with particularly distressing examples.

Like splitting, willful abstraction from certain aspects of one’s reality may be inevitable in any endeavor, and the power to do so effectively in particular circumstances appears to be a highly useful skill. Eben, for instance, presumably mentally isolates certain aspects of being a Law Professor in order to thrive in the particular role he has carved out for himself. This suppression is apparent whenever he is presented with disturbing reminders of the institution in which he works (like copious leftover food purchased with student debt), as he becomes intensely agitated and, like Robinson, dramatically disposes of the unfortunate reality. Fundamentally, however, this underscores the difference between self-insulation as a tool rather than an impediment, between reasoned prioritization and disengaged compartmentalization: one’s ability to internalize and fully consider discomforting truths before acting.

What Can We Do?

If a key difference in the behavior between a Carl Wylie and Robinson is indeed located at the border between compartmentalization and prioritization, the question of how risk averse control freaks can repel their propensity for the former in hopes of eventually applying the latter still remains. Though it may be too late for Wylie and co. to combat their subconscious sublimation, we may effectively pre-empt further compartmentalization by emulating Robinson’s thirst for getting closer to the “essence of the thang.” By recognizing our subconscious tendencies and striving to actively undermine them, perhaps we can allow ourselves to become more vulnerable through self-reflection and develop in ways that were not previously possible. For instance, even though Eben had suggested that each of us learn the exact amount of debt with which we will graduate, I had neglected to put forth the minimal amount of effort required to do so. I now recognize that exercises like this are not only important for internalizing the cost of our education and determining whether or not we are receiving our money’s worth, but also because they facilitate deeper evaluative process that helps to promote a more complete self-awareness. Even if after scrutinizing our particular package of loans the monetary figure does not appear to be less burdensome, at least after this assessment we would be capable of making informed evaluations and prioritizing. Hopefully, through this type of forced exposure, we can become more cognizant and function more effectively in spite of our risk aversion by avoiding further compartmentalization.

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