In order to dehumanize people, you have to move from innuendo to shaded truth to outright lies. It is disturbing to see how easily people accept this process. There are names for the faulty logical processes involved but in plain terms you can see it's true because HE said it, it's true because many people believe it, it's true because it's true. One way to look at things is to ask why? Then ask why to that answer. Keep asking why until you get to something that is indisputable (at least as far as our knowledge is concerned).There is also the confusion of possible for and possible that. Possible for is bounded only by the laws of the universe in that something COULD happen. Possible that means you have evidence pointing to the likelihood that a condition can occur.
It is sloppy thinking. Part of it is due to the internet and social media, and our inability to use this power correctly - technology has outstripped our moral sense. The person yelling nonsense on a street corner soapbox now has a megaphone to the world.
Fear is a natural survival instinct. Authoritarian leaders throughout history have learned to weaponize that fear into a power base. An interesting case pinpoint. Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars maneuvered the senate into granting him excessive power to fight the clone war, totally unaware that it was he himself controlling both sides to consolidate power. In a scene that I found memorable, he (in his Darth Sidious persona) was discussing doing something with his "enemy"allies. One asked but is that legal? Palpatine replied I will make it legal. This is akin to what Trump had the Supreme Court do when it ruled that he could do just about anything he wanted as long as it was ïn the performance of his presidential duties". One his most heinous acts is now trying to get rid of habeas corpus - for immigrants. And he could only that by dehumanizing them.
Totally agree, the illusion of binary or black and white thinking is often supported by feelings of insurmountable fears. Spending more time in the ‘grey zone’ embracing context, nuance and the complexity of truth keeps us connected to our humanity and what unites rather than divides.
Thanks for this, Jeff. I couldn't agree more. These good/bad, white/black options only force all of us into boxes we don't really even want to be in. Except for the dog/cat choice where dog is clearly the only right answer.
First off, your caption under Tyrion's pic made me laugh. 😆
Secondly - thank you for putting this out there. I completely agree. I wrote a short form reflection to this effect on FB recently (to my friends / family) and it was interesting to see the mixed responses. This is a salient message.
A great post!
In order to dehumanize people, you have to move from innuendo to shaded truth to outright lies. It is disturbing to see how easily people accept this process. There are names for the faulty logical processes involved but in plain terms you can see it's true because HE said it, it's true because many people believe it, it's true because it's true. One way to look at things is to ask why? Then ask why to that answer. Keep asking why until you get to something that is indisputable (at least as far as our knowledge is concerned).There is also the confusion of possible for and possible that. Possible for is bounded only by the laws of the universe in that something COULD happen. Possible that means you have evidence pointing to the likelihood that a condition can occur.
It is sloppy thinking. Part of it is due to the internet and social media, and our inability to use this power correctly - technology has outstripped our moral sense. The person yelling nonsense on a street corner soapbox now has a megaphone to the world.
Fear is a natural survival instinct. Authoritarian leaders throughout history have learned to weaponize that fear into a power base. An interesting case pinpoint. Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars maneuvered the senate into granting him excessive power to fight the clone war, totally unaware that it was he himself controlling both sides to consolidate power. In a scene that I found memorable, he (in his Darth Sidious persona) was discussing doing something with his "enemy"allies. One asked but is that legal? Palpatine replied I will make it legal. This is akin to what Trump had the Supreme Court do when it ruled that he could do just about anything he wanted as long as it was ïn the performance of his presidential duties". One his most heinous acts is now trying to get rid of habeas corpus - for immigrants. And he could only that by dehumanizing them.
Totally agree, the illusion of binary or black and white thinking is often supported by feelings of insurmountable fears. Spending more time in the ‘grey zone’ embracing context, nuance and the complexity of truth keeps us connected to our humanity and what unites rather than divides.
😂😂
Thanks for this, Jeff. I couldn't agree more. These good/bad, white/black options only force all of us into boxes we don't really even want to be in. Except for the dog/cat choice where dog is clearly the only right answer.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Lindsay. Also, my cats take offense at that last remark. 😉
PS - I gotta try that flavor! 😋
First off, your caption under Tyrion's pic made me laugh. 😆
Secondly - thank you for putting this out there. I completely agree. I wrote a short form reflection to this effect on FB recently (to my friends / family) and it was interesting to see the mixed responses. This is a salient message.
We will not let them make us hate.
Thanks, Debi. It's a hard one to remember. Half the reason I write is to remind myself. 🙏💛
Tough, tough topic but needed in these tough times.
You inspire me to think, and to include pets (first my own) in my posts. Thanks for both.
Thanks Christine. Glad you enjoyed the read!