Fist-bumping is a tactile stimulation mediated attachment to mundane duality. Touching another person is a form of grounding both parties into the present reality. It is a mode of validating the social group tendencies of humankind. The fabric of society thrives on stabilization through similar, reciprocal actions. The tenuous nature of being human is assuaged by the tacit reassurance of this gesture. The temporality of human existence lies in the backrooms of the subconscious and is ameliorated by various social norms. This act is repeated with no real understanding, from my standpoint, of why it is done. It is like the majority of people want to go through the motions of being ‘in synch’ within society, at large. General acknowledging would be more than adequate. If I say ‘hi’ upon seeing you . . . fine!! Please, no need to further substantiate the obvious.
The human construct thrives in the milieu of constant dualism. Likes and dislikes. Good and not good. Cowardly and not cowardly. The senses are involved in perceiving and deciphering much of this dichotomous interplay. The act of fist-bumping is, essentially, ‘a reaching’ out to establish a physical link to something that / someone who has been (audio-visually) detected beforehand. It provides a calming effect, via a mild happiness and good feeling hormone surge, for individuals who engage in the activity. Yet, it depends upon bodily sense perceptions for the full impact of the effect. The repetitious nature of this act facilitates pursuing a continual flow of said hormones, oxytocin. The production of this hormone is facilitated via touch. Touch is a sensation that keeps one earthbound and thus, mired in duality.
Within a society, people strive to mimic other individuals within that (same) society. People derive a certain level of security from being perceived as ‘normal’. Normal typically translates to be conformist. Many people want to ‘fit in’ even if some struggle is entailed. Actions, trends, and events that cohesively bring people together can be sources of comfort. All people tend toward comfort, when given the option. The force of the group dynamic is very powerful and far reaching. To be aware of it is to regain and retain some degree of autonomy. Yet, the group, as such, does not usually take too kindly to one being autonomous.
People subconsciously cognize their mortality in/on this earth. They do not want to pass on; yet, they know that the inevitable will take place. One’s place within earthly existence is limited. Various ways of moving through life, in a manner that establishes ‘presence’ in and within society, are ‘formulated’. The availability of time inspires individuals to do ‘things’. These things may be viewed / seen as actions that are viewed as dangerous, weird, strange, or conformist. Many people validate their mortality through conformity. This conformity is exhibited through socially condoned events and actions. So, fist bumping, as a gesture, facilitates one feeling good about themselves, in light of their temporality.
In all honesty, I have not come to grasp the why and wherefore of fist-bumping. This is not a recent development, that being my take on the act. Years ago, I expressed my distaste for engaging in the act. The gentleman with whom I discussed my point of view gave me his take on the act. He stated that ‘it’ was something that prisoners had normalized as a form of mutual greeting. Yet, alternative origin stories exist. Whatever the case, the fist bump is a staple within society in the U.S.A. Things that are normalized, trends, per se, become expectations. Yet, many could not give a valid reason for or explain why they are fist-bumping you. Refusing fist bump someone generates confusion and mild dismay . . . it is hilarious the reactions that come about when one refuses to fist bump . . . . . just weird!!!!
My personal viewpoint is that it is not necessary to acknowledge another person through physical contact. People do not fist bump their grandparents every-time they see them. Yet, when in the general public (at work, at some event, encounters on the street) people are prone to want to fist-bump. This gesture is, perhaps an attempt to show people that one is happy to have made contact with someone else at that immediate time. Although, at the same time, some people view this act as a superfluous gesture for everyday interactions. O. K., if you and someone else, say, trained with David Goggins, completed a session with Wim Hof, went bouldering together, you know, something like that . . . . . then, yeah, fist bump away. Other than that, general acknowledging, again, from my personal viewpoint, is more than adequate.
Fist bumping evidences humans as being trapped into mundane reality. Fist bumping also establishes the social nature of the human collective. The tenuous nature of existing in the mundane can be eased through social gestures. The majority of people could not explain the why or wherefore of (their) engaging in normalized social actions. I am not adverse to touching but I do feel that a visual acknowledging, in many cases, is more than sufficient . . . . . IJS!!!!
Ab-Sutra Wellness and Fitness 