Opinion-Editorial
By Jeff Wagner
The “No Kings” narrative provides an empirical example of how groups can be co-opted via the mass formation process—a form of psychological group hypnosis that erodes individuals’ ethical and moral self-awareness while also robbing them of their ability to think critically. If allowed to progress unchecked, it can lead to totalitarianism. Characteristics of totalitarianism include increasing intolerance of dissenting voices and susceptibility to pseudo-scientific indoctrination and propaganda. Mass formation is an insidious process that populations can fall prey to unsuspectingly. The Nazi Party did not turn Germany into a totalitarian country overnight; it happened slowly over time with a genesis in the mass formation process.
Our educational, political, mass media and social media systems each focus a majority their effort telling people what to think rather than teaching them how to think. When people are not taught to think for themselves, or worse, choose not to, they’re operating at a distinct disadvantage when separating signals from noise in an environment overloaded with stimulus. History never starts in the middle. So, it’s critically important to recognize the path we’ve traveled on to arrive at our current condition. If you don’t understand the context, you cannot understand the problem.
The sample used to draw a conclusion has a direct bearing on the validity of the conclusion. The smaller your sample size, the smaller your chance of drawing a valid conclusion over time. Sampling bias is also a significant factor. Stronger biases lead to selecting samples that confirm the biases. Thinking your opinion is reality is like thinking your reality is superior to the opinions of others. A recent analysis by the Media Research Center revealed that 92% of the major network media coverage of President Donald Trump was negative. With a population conditioned to willingly accept being told what to think, the chances that a mass formation of a totalitarian population increases.
I have never seen a clearly stated set of objectives advocated by the “No Kings” movement. I assume they’re pushing back on the formation of a monarchy in the United States. Perhaps I’ve not been paying close enough attention, but I’m not aware of any proposed constitutional amendments that would replace our democratic republic with a monarchy. Even looking at this past weekend’s “No Kings” marches, it’s difficult to derive the objectives of the movement. It seems like the movement is just a platform to “protest” about anything and everything—including, for some, Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS).
“No Kings” is anything but a grassroots effort. There are numerous reports about billions of dollars funding these protests, by people like George Soros, who has been identified as a major funder of “Indivisible,” which has a local chapter in Livingston. The “No Kings” narrative is strongly dominated by if not completely consumed by left-of-center ideologies. Los Angeles protestors advocating the killing of ICE offers is a disturbing anchor on the extreme left side of the ledger.
Recognizing the mental health struggles facing communities today, it’s sad that the proponents of this ideology so vested in stoking irrational fear, along with its attendant despair and depression, choose to work out their insecurities in the public square. It turns out every time you paint “I hate Trump” on a sign you reinforce your negative feelings. Negative thoughts produce negative attitudes. Instead, the best way to work out your TDS is by hitting the heavy bag at the gym and then picking up some roadside litter on the way home. Or perhaps if everyone painted “I like Trump” on a sign, they would go home happier and less angry.