"To willingly succumb to the whims of algorithms and cultish narratives is to lose your autonomy and surrender any chance of creating much-needed coalitions."
So true, Mickey. I wonder about the 'will' in "willingly" in that how many of us have lost our connection to it? What it actually means?
If I have a will, and will-power, it implies an authentic (authored, authority) self who possesses it.
Virtue-signalers and masking compliers... where are they? Are they really here or are we seeing merely a program running their bodies?
I trust they can be recovered. I hope so.
Thanks for the thoughtful post. I suspect those who need it, are likely watching CNN. Best.
Thank you, Kathleen, but I must gently push back. Those who need it are ALL of us. If anyone thinks they cannot be reached by propaganda, they've already been reached by propaganda. I've walked closely with people from all across the ideological spectrum and I see the same patterns.
I have no doubt that is the case. An ongoing undoing of programs and propaganda, and we can be free of this one, but ensnarled in that one. Yes.
I was addressing the going along with 'the new thing' irrespective of question or reason or even logic. For instance there are folks who have strong opinions on Israel/Gaza that I may disagree with, but their opinions are not merely 'given' to them to repeat. There is a 'self' engaged and working through information, which includes the filters and biases, we all possess.
That's not the same as someone who just goes along absent any self-engagement and I notice these folks too. I often think when I'm talking to them - Where are YOU?
Not sure that's clear. But hope it clarifies somewhat.
Yes, thank you, Kathleen. This is why I often use tactics like "their [sic] ideas" in my writing. It may appear snarky but I'm genuinely suggesting that all of us have "beliefs" that are the result of a slow process of osmosis.
Excellent post. Thank you for the gentle reminder that we are ALL products of propaganda on some level and the antidote is to be attentive to that very fact and to ask questions, think critically, listen, watch, learn, stay grounded....and to not be afraid to admit when we don’t have an answer or an opinion.
Thank you, Laura, amen. 🙏 I love envisioning the repurposing of the passion and energy from angry futility to connecting with others and helping those within our reach.
Being an inveterate quotation collector, I harvested this one a while back: “Everyone sees what they want to see in your mom, everyone gets to be offended in their own special way. Your mother’s story allows people of any political stripe to say ‘Shame on you,’ which is just delicious these days. It’s no secret that the great American pastime is no longer baseball. Now it’s sanctimony.” – character in the amazing novel 'The Nix' (2016), by Nathan Hill – reviewed here https://www.npr.org/2016/08/31/490101821/the-nix-is-a-vicious-sprawling-satire-with-a-very-human-heart Really-really enjoyable novel - & a helpful insight indicating sanctimony has been an issue for a while. I wonder how/why we got so addicted to it??
True. Another neat quote speaks to how we seem to have the need to feel superior to others. “He smiled tolerantly. To survive, everyone needs a viewpoint from which they can look down on everyone else, thought Hadda. With some it’s intellect, with some it’s beauty, with some it’s religion.” – from the novel 'The Woodcutter,' by Reginald Hill. Sigh, eh? Good old human nature. (One of my own faults has always been a propensity to be far too judgmental. I keep working away at it!)
Let's remind ourselves that judging is only one aspect of human nature. We're also imbued with innumerable positive traits we can aim to emphasize instead.
Since the pandemic and it’s aftermath I’ve been thinking that I need to be more, not less judgmental, or maybe discerning is a better word. My pre-wake up call rose-colored glasses and slack-cutting had resulted in me being surrounded by superficial, selfish, phonies. Life is too short!
And yes I know, that I’m not immune. I’ve fallen into the traps too and have had to continually revisit and revise my attitudes and beliefs.
If I end up moving to Latin America this will be the reason. The social conditioning and mind control there is less pervasive and much less effective IMO, and most people haven’t yet lost their humanity.
Anyone who wants to begin to educate themselves about the Israel/Palestine issue could START here: https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20231228-app-01-00-en.pdf with South Africa's well-written and well-documented application in the ICJ against Israel for genocide. And then take your research from there. South Africa, incidentally is very familiar with apartheid. As I said, begin there before you decide either way, but don't stop there.
I would've bet my life savings that you'd comment, Lorie. I've already replied to your comments on other posts but I am curious to know if this is being aimed at me:
"Virtue-signaling" is becoming like "conspiracy theorist"-- a trope to stop thought.
For the record, I reject your characterization and do not appreciate how you get triggered by this topic and in turn, make aggressive, accusatory comments.
"To willingly succumb to the whims of algorithms and cultish narratives is to lose your autonomy and surrender any chance of creating much-needed coalitions."
So true, Mickey. I wonder about the 'will' in "willingly" in that how many of us have lost our connection to it? What it actually means?
If I have a will, and will-power, it implies an authentic (authored, authority) self who possesses it.
Virtue-signalers and masking compliers... where are they? Are they really here or are we seeing merely a program running their bodies?
I trust they can be recovered. I hope so.
Thanks for the thoughtful post. I suspect those who need it, are likely watching CNN. Best.
Thank you, Kathleen, but I must gently push back. Those who need it are ALL of us. If anyone thinks they cannot be reached by propaganda, they've already been reached by propaganda. I've walked closely with people from all across the ideological spectrum and I see the same patterns.
Fair point. And I'm good with push back.
I have no doubt that is the case. An ongoing undoing of programs and propaganda, and we can be free of this one, but ensnarled in that one. Yes.
I was addressing the going along with 'the new thing' irrespective of question or reason or even logic. For instance there are folks who have strong opinions on Israel/Gaza that I may disagree with, but their opinions are not merely 'given' to them to repeat. There is a 'self' engaged and working through information, which includes the filters and biases, we all possess.
That's not the same as someone who just goes along absent any self-engagement and I notice these folks too. I often think when I'm talking to them - Where are YOU?
Not sure that's clear. But hope it clarifies somewhat.
Thanks.
Yes, thank you, Kathleen. This is why I often use tactics like "their [sic] ideas" in my writing. It may appear snarky but I'm genuinely suggesting that all of us have "beliefs" that are the result of a slow process of osmosis.
Excellent post. Thank you for the gentle reminder that we are ALL products of propaganda on some level and the antidote is to be attentive to that very fact and to ask questions, think critically, listen, watch, learn, stay grounded....and to not be afraid to admit when we don’t have an answer or an opinion.
Thank you, Laura, amen. 🙏 I love envisioning the repurposing of the passion and energy from angry futility to connecting with others and helping those within our reach.
Being an inveterate quotation collector, I harvested this one a while back: “Everyone sees what they want to see in your mom, everyone gets to be offended in their own special way. Your mother’s story allows people of any political stripe to say ‘Shame on you,’ which is just delicious these days. It’s no secret that the great American pastime is no longer baseball. Now it’s sanctimony.” – character in the amazing novel 'The Nix' (2016), by Nathan Hill – reviewed here https://www.npr.org/2016/08/31/490101821/the-nix-is-a-vicious-sprawling-satire-with-a-very-human-heart Really-really enjoyable novel - & a helpful insight indicating sanctimony has been an issue for a while. I wonder how/why we got so addicted to it??
Thank you, Janet. I imagine this human tendency has been around for a very long time but social media has more recently kicked it into high gear.
True. Another neat quote speaks to how we seem to have the need to feel superior to others. “He smiled tolerantly. To survive, everyone needs a viewpoint from which they can look down on everyone else, thought Hadda. With some it’s intellect, with some it’s beauty, with some it’s religion.” – from the novel 'The Woodcutter,' by Reginald Hill. Sigh, eh? Good old human nature. (One of my own faults has always been a propensity to be far too judgmental. I keep working away at it!)
Let's remind ourselves that judging is only one aspect of human nature. We're also imbued with innumerable positive traits we can aim to emphasize instead.
Yeah, thanks for another great post Mickey.
Re: judgement
Since the pandemic and it’s aftermath I’ve been thinking that I need to be more, not less judgmental, or maybe discerning is a better word. My pre-wake up call rose-colored glasses and slack-cutting had resulted in me being surrounded by superficial, selfish, phonies. Life is too short!
Amen, C! 🙏
Dealing with brainwashed people is exhausting.
And yes I know, that I’m not immune. I’ve fallen into the traps too and have had to continually revisit and revise my attitudes and beliefs.
If I end up moving to Latin America this will be the reason. The social conditioning and mind control there is less pervasive and much less effective IMO, and most people haven’t yet lost their humanity.
Anyone who wants to begin to educate themselves about the Israel/Palestine issue could START here: https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20231228-app-01-00-en.pdf with South Africa's well-written and well-documented application in the ICJ against Israel for genocide. And then take your research from there. South Africa, incidentally is very familiar with apartheid. As I said, begin there before you decide either way, but don't stop there.
and here's one of the poor, benighted women of Palestine https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-palestine-inas-al-saqa-friends-remember-gaza-playwright, a major playwright who was, unfortunately, killed by Israel.
"Virtue-signaling" is becoming like "conspiracy theorist"-- a trope to stop thought.
I would've bet my life savings that you'd comment, Lorie. I've already replied to your comments on other posts but I am curious to know if this is being aimed at me:
"Virtue-signaling" is becoming like "conspiracy theorist"-- a trope to stop thought.
haha of course I'd comment.
Yes, it was aimed at you, but I apologize, it was unfair.
but don't let my momentary loss of control stop you or anyone else from reading the links I sent, por favor.
You could go back and delete the last line.
nonetheless, I think the last line holds true. And it's not just you. I do it too.
So it wasn't a "momentary loss of control"?
For the record, I reject your characterization and do not appreciate how you get triggered by this topic and in turn, make aggressive, accusatory comments.