I have often thought about why more people don't pick up the mantel of simple living when we can clearly see that continuing the madness of consumerism leads to ecocide.
When we see society and the environment breaking down, why don't we join the fight to save it en masse?
Charles Mackay, in his 1841 book Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds gives some clues.
"Humans, it has been said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one."
Not so long ago many humans left their simple ways behind and went mad for consumerism. We are reaping the results of that madness now.
Will we recover our senses in time to create a mass movement to save ourselves and our planet from the greed for profit and power that is taking over our lives and ruining the only inhabitable planet in the known Universe?
Only time will tell.
However, I am deeply thankful to those individuals that recovered their sense one by one, and are speaking out against the horrors we are currently living through.
Or, hopefully living through.
We can thank those that have never left the simple life, as well as the voluntarily simplified that are fighting for all that we hold to be dear and true.
Those people are evidence that recovery from our propaganda-induced madness, whether it propagates consumerism, war, or medical apartheid, is possible, and that a better life awaits us when we don't passively give in to the lies.
"We find that whole communities suddenly fix their minds upon one object, and go mad in its pursuit; that millions of people become simultaneously impressed with one delusion, and run after it..."
When about 10% of a population moves in a particular direction, that movement starts to attract attention. More of the 90% start to adopt the new way, and as more join, even more are stimulated to move in that direction.
Choosing to see the facts, and changing our behaviour accordingly, can help move us all toward saving ourselves.
Recovery from our illusions is possible.
This article at Skeptical Inquirer might interest you:
ReplyDeletehttps://skepticalinquirer.org/2021/12/schrodingers-bin-laden-the-irrational-world-of-motivated-reasoning/
Thinking and living only in ways that match your ideology seems to be a big reason why people go against evidence and common sense.
A longish article, but quite interesting, if only for the historical aspect of it.
-Mary
Hi Mary. Thanks for the link. That was indeed an interesting read, and tells us a bit about human psychology.
DeleteHappy new year to you both. I need to thank you. You are a consistent voice of calm reason amid the clamour and I'm always very grateful when I stop by to read a few posts and it's confirmed you are still here posting. So much appreciation.
ReplyDeleteComments such as yours keep us going. Thank you.
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