Vox Day had a great post Tuesday. First time I saw the term “Herd People”. What a great term.
It doesn’t matter how smart you are if you are psychologically unable to analyze anything outside of what previously recognized authorities have told you to believe:
Vox Day
I run into these types all the time. I used to argue. Now, I simply smile. Maybe mention an alternate viewpoints to judge the reaction. His example is about the Vax. There are those that really think the Vax is did them some good. I even had a friend get triple boosted, having had COVID already. He was utterly convinced that he now had three times the protection and wouldn’t hear one bit of an opposing viewpoint.
Here’s what I get:
I’m extra protected – There’s actual evidence that it does more harm than good and actually lowers your immune system. Deaths, especially sudden ones, are up on the rise.
It made my case mild. – The “Thank god I got the vax, otherwise it would’ve been bad” logic. The lions share of the people wouldn’t get it at all, having immune systems that fought it off. Of those that got it, 95-98% had only mild symptoms. It was that way before the vax. Fact of the matter is the cases exploded after the vax came out.
They are immune to logic and reason.
The same mentality effects any discussion of Ukraine as well. I had a conversation with a guy the other night, who is otherwise a smart guy. But he absolutely believed the party line that Ukraine was attacked for no reason. Wouldn’t hear of the fact that but for the US and NATO, this could’ve been solved. The Russians demands were not at all unreasonable.
Nope. Wouldn’t have it. Wouldn’t hear it. Wouldn’t hear the amount of money laundering going on. Wouldn’t hear of the astonishing amount of dangerous weapons they were given that have gone missing. Wouldn’t hear of the military industrial complex rubbign their hands with delight with the orders they’ll have to replace donated gear.
Even worse – Didn’t see any reason why Ukraine would’nt be in NATO and thought if we’d get involved we’d sort it out fast.
Wow.
I left him to argue with the other guys that were aghast he couldn’t see the forest for the trees.
As for me?
Those with eyes ought to see. Those with ears ought to hear.
I run into a herd person, I’ll ask a few questions socratic style and then leave it.
They’ll find out soon enough.
“You can’t argue with all the fools in the world. It’s better to let them have their way, then trick them when they’re not paying attention. – Brom”
Christopher Paolini, Eragon
Inspected By Pat 