From another thread. But I wanted to post my thoughts on this.
What worries me is that what we are watching is an experiment in “group think”, which coincides with this virus.
Yes, this is real. Yes, it is potentially lethal. Experts also can not tell us exactly how it spreads, and thanks to the Chinese government refusing to share vital data, we still don’t know as much as we could.
We are, however, beginning to see a society in which neighbors turn neighbors in over four consenting adults who all know and trust one another and who feel fine getting together in one house to have a meal, and roast marshmallows.
This reminds me a lot of what takes place in totalitarian regimes. Turn in your neighbors over “anti-social” / “anti-revolutionary” behaviors. See a bunch of people gather in a house? They might be Christians! They might be Baha’is! Report them!
No, it’s not the same, but it reminds me of this. Wear a mask, wash your hands, if you don’t feel comfortable going out, don’t go out. If you know someone who is worried about this virus due to their age and health and who want you to stay away, do so. Be courteous, be cautious, be hygienic, and spread out.
Please, give yourself permission to unplug from the media. A little. It may help save your free thought, and someday, your life. Please. This is exactly how cruel regimes control and influence people abroad. The media. Buzz words. Controlling behavior. Convincing people that this control keeps them and their country safe. Convincing people to spy on and report their neighbors. In the interest of the greater good. Giving only one narrative and squeezing out other possible narratives. Media. Media. Media.
It’s not the exact same thing. At all. We’re a long, long way off from being like China. But there are similarities. I am afraid this pandemic is being exploited. Be careful. Don’t lose your ability to think critically. Thank you.
What worries me is that what we are watching is an experiment in “group think”, which coincides with this virus.
Yes, this is real. Yes, it is potentially lethal. Experts also can not tell us exactly how it spreads, and thanks to the Chinese government refusing to share vital data, we still don’t know as much as we could.
We are, however, beginning to see a society in which neighbors turn neighbors in over four consenting adults who all know and trust one another and who feel fine getting together in one house to have a meal, and roast marshmallows.
This reminds me a lot of what takes place in totalitarian regimes. Turn in your neighbors over “anti-social” / “anti-revolutionary” behaviors. See a bunch of people gather in a house? They might be Christians! They might be Baha’is! Report them!
No, it’s not the same, but it reminds me of this. Wear a mask, wash your hands, if you don’t feel comfortable going out, don’t go out. If you know someone who is worried about this virus due to their age and health and who want you to stay away, do so. Be courteous, be cautious, be hygienic, and spread out.
Please, give yourself permission to unplug from the media. A little. It may help save your free thought, and someday, your life. Please. This is exactly how cruel regimes control and influence people abroad. The media. Buzz words. Controlling behavior. Convincing people that this control keeps them and their country safe. Convincing people to spy on and report their neighbors. In the interest of the greater good. Giving only one narrative and squeezing out other possible narratives. Media. Media. Media.
It’s not the exact same thing. At all. We’re a long, long way off from being like China. But there are similarities. I am afraid this pandemic is being exploited. Be careful. Don’t lose your ability to think critically. Thank you.
Last edited: