I'm convinced that at least some us-and-themisms aren't entirely self imposed limitations. There's some kind of cult-like mechanisms at play when loaded language, thought interrupt cliches, and demands for purity that do more than close minds. I'm thinking of the book: "Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of "Brainwashing" in China" and how it applies to what's going on around us.
Greg, "Brainwashing" can be too sweeping a charge. We are all "misled" more often than not. And a lot of our failings can be tolerated as collateral damage. I.e. when we are not as well informed or as sharp as we would like to be, there is little serious harm. But cults are another matter. Usually, they are visible to all. The traditional cult takes people and controls their lives, often in separate enclosures. Thought control a dominate part of the overall manipulation. The Us and Them phenomena is different. It's central to our makeup, tied up with identity and the need for safety and reassurance. It need not, however, upset the shared boat in which we are riding (so to speak). I mean we can recognize our tendency to seek out people like ourselves and also understand the value in working with others. It should be taught. It should be a central part of education. When does it get out of hand? I think anxiety and fear cause people to circle the wagons. And we do find ourselves less and less able to withstand so much in our lives that seems beyond our control. What can we do to reduce anxiety? Strong unions were valuable during our better days for just this reason. Churches that did not set us apart from others but actually did the opposite. Many community structures and opportunities, i.e. parks and festivals and farmer's markets, etc.
I think we need to take back the "Common," so to speak.
Just to be clear, "Brainwashing" is in the subtitle of the book. I'm focused on some things in the book.
Of course we're all in our bubbles. We tend to surround ourselves with people and things we like to some degree or another. But, let's also know that black and white arguments describing the extreme as the norm just doesn't work. I see this, much of which is from first hand experience, as something that mostly takes place on a continuum. I don't know that I'd call it a cult although I do see some cult like features. The intensity of the bubbles, facebook, emails, rallies, QAnnon, preachers, etc. are not inconsequential. Some of the things I've heard personally go far beyond just being factually incorrect. These things might even sound funny at first, but are actually very alarming. People are at risk of being killed. Like the guy I talked down a few days ago. Psychotic. I'm having trouble telling the difference.
Just a quick one. One of the things I didn't see in the article is the role of Russian operatives designed to create and/or amplify division and is commonly found in toxic right wing. Like this case in my city's local group. After this article, I found I could sometimes out them too.
I'm convinced that at least some us-and-themisms aren't entirely self imposed limitations. There's some kind of cult-like mechanisms at play when loaded language, thought interrupt cliches, and demands for purity that do more than close minds. I'm thinking of the book: "Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of "Brainwashing" in China" and how it applies to what's going on around us.
Greg, "Brainwashing" can be too sweeping a charge. We are all "misled" more often than not. And a lot of our failings can be tolerated as collateral damage. I.e. when we are not as well informed or as sharp as we would like to be, there is little serious harm. But cults are another matter. Usually, they are visible to all. The traditional cult takes people and controls their lives, often in separate enclosures. Thought control a dominate part of the overall manipulation. The Us and Them phenomena is different. It's central to our makeup, tied up with identity and the need for safety and reassurance. It need not, however, upset the shared boat in which we are riding (so to speak). I mean we can recognize our tendency to seek out people like ourselves and also understand the value in working with others. It should be taught. It should be a central part of education. When does it get out of hand? I think anxiety and fear cause people to circle the wagons. And we do find ourselves less and less able to withstand so much in our lives that seems beyond our control. What can we do to reduce anxiety? Strong unions were valuable during our better days for just this reason. Churches that did not set us apart from others but actually did the opposite. Many community structures and opportunities, i.e. parks and festivals and farmer's markets, etc.
I think we need to take back the "Common," so to speak.
Just to be clear, "Brainwashing" is in the subtitle of the book. I'm focused on some things in the book.
Of course we're all in our bubbles. We tend to surround ourselves with people and things we like to some degree or another. But, let's also know that black and white arguments describing the extreme as the norm just doesn't work. I see this, much of which is from first hand experience, as something that mostly takes place on a continuum. I don't know that I'd call it a cult although I do see some cult like features. The intensity of the bubbles, facebook, emails, rallies, QAnnon, preachers, etc. are not inconsequential. Some of the things I've heard personally go far beyond just being factually incorrect. These things might even sound funny at first, but are actually very alarming. People are at risk of being killed. Like the guy I talked down a few days ago. Psychotic. I'm having trouble telling the difference.
There's an article that you may want to read that supports your view. I find some problems with it, but feel it captures some very important insights.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/
Just a quick one. One of the things I didn't see in the article is the role of Russian operatives designed to create and/or amplify division and is commonly found in toxic right wing. Like this case in my city's local group. After this article, I found I could sometimes out them too.
https://www.bpr.org/news/2019-06-06/russian-trolling-an-asheville-facebook-profile-and-an-amateur-sleuth-to-connect-the-dots