11 votes

Mass psychosis - how an entire population becomes mentally ill

13 comments

  1. [2]
    HelpfulOption
    Link
    This video is several years old now, which makes for an interesting time capsule. Unsurprisingly, the comments are filled with people exclaiming that masks/isolation (re: COVID-19) is the first...

    This video is several years old now, which makes for an interesting time capsule. Unsurprisingly, the comments are filled with people exclaiming that masks/isolation (re: COVID-19) is the first step to control us.

    I found the video informative but watched with a pretty hefty dose of skepticism. I immediately knew the imagery used (people wearing masks) was going to bring some interesting interpretations in the comments.

    A lot of claims and quotes by philosophers, and some thought-provoking framing for how a society could be collectively manipulated into ceding control to a ruling class. It doesn't really explain who totalitarians are, besides obvious examples, or give a concrete example for our current society, besides drawing corporate logos.

    And the largest question I have, which it fails to address: how do you convince people they have been lied to and manipulated, when they claim you have been manipulated?

    If some of society is already adopting the mass delusion, and part of that delusion is, "anyone against me is evil/deceived/delusional," how in the world will any progress be made to change their minds?

    11 votes
    1. vord
      Link Parent
      Well, typically it doesn't turn out so well. War and genocide being the most common. Really puts that "enemy within" stuff into context.

      how in the world will any progress be made to change their minds?

      Well, typically it doesn't turn out so well. War and genocide being the most common.

      Really puts that "enemy within" stuff into context.

      4 votes
  2. [5]
    metoosalem
    Link
    I'm not good with words at the moment but i would also like to share this post i found in the fediverse recently: https://feddit.org/post/11605579

    I'm not good with words at the moment but i would also like to share this post i found in the fediverse recently: https://feddit.org/post/11605579

    Society has a persistent tendency to isolate intelligent individuals. This isolation often arises because these individuals are seen as distractions. The system, whether it be educational, political, or social, generally does not welcome those who question its authority or actions. When intelligent people do question the system, they are frequently labeled as troublemakers, further marginalizing them from mainstream society.

    From the perspective of many, intelligent individuals are often viewed as misfits who do not conform to societal norms or cultural expectations. These individuals can make others uncomfortable by exposing truths that many prefer to ignore. Intelligent people tend to question and research rather than accept information blindly, a trait that often puts them at odds with those who are content with the status quo and do not seek reality. Most people are more interested in material gains and the superficial aspects of life, often referred to as the “bullshit” provided by the “masters of the matrix.” This focus is a result of conditioning and training that prioritizes these superficial elements over deeper, more meaningful pursuits. This societal dynamic makes the life of an intelligent individual particularly challenging.

    Throughout history, many philosophers who revealed uncomfortable truths have faced severe persecution. Some were forced to endure hardships until the end of their lives, while others were even compelled to drink poison to recant their findings. In contemporary times, the situation has deteriorated significantly, making it nearly impossible for young minds to emerge as the next Schopenhauer or Nietzsche. Authorities often encourage the public to forget about philosophers and other meaningful figures in favor of trivial pursuits, creating a prison-like existence.

    A large portion of the population lives in a state of oblivion, having forgotten the contributions of philosophers, scientists, and other influential thinkers. Many talented individuals are crushed under the weight of social validation, where their insights and discoveries are deemed useless if they do not serve the interests of the prevailing system. Free speech is increasingly suppressed, and surveillance and censorship have become more prevalent. In many communities, higher authorities dictate what others should say, often disregarding individual perspectives and points of view.

    The world has become extremely corrupted, and the feelings of loneliness and isolation have led many to be erased from the matrix. To avoid these feelings, individuals are often pressured to join groups or communities and blindly accept and follow whatever is dictated by these groups. Unfortunately, genuine communities or platforms that truly support free speech and the pursuit of truth are rare, making it nearly impossible to unravel and share the truth.

    8 votes
    1. [4]
      DefinitelyNotAFae
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      I haven't watched the video yet, but this post (not yours) doesn't sit well with me. It contains within it a reasonable point or two but tbh it feels like it sets up a "I'm isolated because I'm...

      I haven't watched the video yet, but this post (not yours) doesn't sit well with me. It contains within it a reasonable point or two but tbh it feels like it sets up a "I'm isolated because I'm too smart" and a sort of "they don't want you to know the truth" vibe to me. It implies everyone else is shallow and the whole "masters of the matrix" thing is either a book reference or a movie reference phrasing I can't find anywhere on Reddit. I think there's some points there, but woven through it is a really toxic thread IMO.

      If the next thing this poster said was how the earth was actually flat or aliens built the pyramids or that race science is real it would be unsurprising, is I guess what I'm saying. There are universities and entire communities of academics willing to discuss all sorts of truths... So what do they feel is being censored specifically? (To be clear there is censorship in the world but I'm not sure the poster and I have the same definition)

      26 votes
      1. [2]
        HelpfulOption
        Link Parent
        The video seems only tangentially related to that comment. There is a small part that is related, talking about ways to combat totalitarian control. One way is by having positive models,...

        The video seems only tangentially related to that comment. There is a small part that is related, talking about ways to combat totalitarian control. One way is by having positive models, individuals that are not part of the "mass delusion." Totalitarians use isolation to limit the effects of positive models that could cause too many people to question the status quo.

        Immediately following that was a point on parallel societies forming as a rejection of the rulers, and framed them as more effective and possibly the best way to combat totalitarianism.

        7 votes
        1. DefinitelyNotAFae
          Link Parent
          I did plan to watch it. I just won't have time until I can listen to something in the background at work. Thanks for the info.

          I did plan to watch it. I just won't have time until I can listen to something in the background at work. Thanks for the info.

          6 votes
      2. kacey
        Link Parent
        Thank you for penning this response! I had a very similar reaction. The related sentiment is very common elsewhere on the internet: “we, the smart ones, are better than they, the dumb ones. They...

        Thank you for penning this response! I had a very similar reaction. The related sentiment is very common elsewhere on the internet: “we, the smart ones, are better than they, the dumb ones. They have petty and meaningless existences, but we see the real truth and are punished for it!”

        I hesitate to assign a particular group to that style of rhetoric, but it might be instructive to see which ones have historically flocked to Nietzsche’s writings, given that the author is putting them on a pedestal (as well as the concept of free speech communities!). Please draw your own conclusions, or not :3

        To anyone with which this resonates: I also would have agreed with this earlier in my life. In the meantime, though, I’ve come to the conclusion that the manner in which others lead their lives is their problem, and if I feel that their existence is detrimental to my own, that is a skill issue.

        It’s appealing to create a nebulous enemy to rail against: “they” can’t fight back, and it gives your mind a target on which to focus very productive emotions (spite, bitterness, etc.). But cooperation and collaboration is how our civilization has built itself up from literal mud and sticks. IMO: the best way to “win” — if thinking in those terms is your preference — is to build or join productive communities that seek positive growth, and to live happily and productively in spite of those that would oppose your existence. They do exist, despite the insistence of the author.

        A little bit of protest sprinkled in here or there is also useful, at times.

        6 votes
  3. [2]
    cfabbro
    (edited )
    Link
    Offtopic: @mycketforvirrad I moved this back to ~humanities, since after watching the video in full now, it's not really about mental health or mental illness at all, and is really not appropriate...

    Offtopic: @mycketforvirrad I moved this back to ~humanities, since after watching the video in full now, it's not really about mental health or mental illness at all, and is really not appropriate for ~health.mental, IMO. It's a video primarily about totalitarianism. Or rather, a video about the video creators' theories on how totalitarianism arises from mass delusion, psychological manipulation of the masses, etc. which they then allude to being related to modern mainstream media and social media, amongst other things.

    8 votes
  4. [3]
    Protected
    Link
    Not a bad message at all, and I must say that's some kickass whiteboard art. I'm not so sure about the messenger, though - in the same channel I quickly found a video making some iffy implications...

    Not a bad message at all, and I must say that's some kickass whiteboard art. I'm not so sure about the messenger, though - in the same channel I quickly found a video making some iffy implications about an autism epidemic...

    Living a life that serves as an example to others, the value of parallel structures when resisting totalitarianism, and the perniciousness of social networks all seem like fairly uncontroversial positions. I agree with them. As others have said though, these messages are subverted and used by essentially everyone. Without getting into too much detail because this is in the wrong category: Perhaps to someone I personally see as a "pyschotic individual," certain politicians I see as totalitarians are the shining beacons of light serving as a positive example to all, bravely resisting the overwhelming tide. Perhaps they see certain structures of social cooperation as oppressive, and the people who willingly participate in them as the deluded, psychotic ones.

    This is the weaponized confusion that the video talks about. On a personal level, I'd argue that my own positions aren't predicated on fear or primed by any kind of propaganda, while I observe others being openly and shamelessly drowned in both of those on a daily basis. But this personal relationship with information isn't something we can easily share or explain to others, especially if they are already delusional.

    As always, I must defend that social problems require social solutions. I've previously expressed the view that education is key, and totalitarians sure seem to work (incredibly) hard to undermine it. But education must be more than the belief in a youtube video that one is exposed to. I'm talking about structured systems of education that function in a capable manner - good schools, good teachers, a comprehensive curriculum that teaches young people about history, the world, and how to think for themselves. I trust that a society of educated people will do the best it possibly can, even if they don't agree with me specifically. But once people are lost to ignorance, it's really hard to get them back.

    6 votes
    1. [2]
      DefinitelyNotAFae
      Link Parent
      The channel has a lot of iffy implications in its videos in a way that makes me think they're deliberately dancing on the edge of things. Same vibes as the comment shared, like, there are points...

      The channel has a lot of iffy implications in its videos in a way that makes me think they're deliberately dancing on the edge of things.

      Same vibes as the comment shared, like, there are points but what are you actually saying

      7 votes
      1. cfabbro
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        Their list of "contributors" is pretty concerning too, TBH. And by "contributors" I assume it means they've copied ideas and content from them, since a few on the list are long dead, and most are...

        Their list of "contributors" is pretty concerning too, TBH. And by "contributors" I assume it means they've copied ideas and content from them, since a few on the list are long dead, and most are far too famous to have willingly contributed anything to this channel. See: https://www.afterskool.net/about

        Elon Musk, Joe Rogan, Russell Brand, Jordan Peterson, Sam Harris = Need I really explain why they're problematic?

        Graham Hancock, Bruce Lipton, Randall Carlson = Straight-up pseudoscience peddlers

        Paul Stamets, Fungi Academy = mycology based medicine advocates of dubious scientific credibility

        Terrence McKenna, Alan Watts, Ram Dass = psychedelic spiritualists... which I personally don't have an issue with (I still regularly smoke weed, do shrooms, and I've read/listened to plenty of McKenna and Watts over the years in my own spiritual journey), but they are all often a bit "out there" with their ideas

        Tony Robbins, Eckhart Tolle, Tim Ferriss, Simon Sinek, David Goggins = Self-help/Lifestyle gurus and motivational speakers of questionable value

        cc: @metoosalem, in case you weren't aware of the above. This doesn't seem like a particularly trustworthy channel when it comes to seeking objective truth, and I would take everything said in their videos with a hefty dose of skepticism.

        p.s. Their actual stated collaborator for the submitted video, Academy of Ideas, doesn't look especially credible or trustworthy either. They don't list any real info about who they actually are or what their sources are, and their video history and messaging about everything is uh... interesting, to put it mildly. It's raising all sorts of red flags for me personally, and I would be wary of taking anything they said in their content at face value or treating it as an objective source of information.

        8 votes
  5. Grayscail
    Link
    I find it hard to follow videos from this channel. The speakers cadence has this rhythmic, almost hypnotic quality to it. But the text itself is kind of complex and I need to focus to parse what...

    I find it hard to follow videos from this channel. The speakers cadence has this rhythmic, almost hypnotic quality to it. But the text itself is kind of complex and I need to focus to parse what hes saying. In part due to lots of quotes and stuff that dont really follow contemporary vernacular.

    I find myself kind of zoning out whenever I listen to it, and in the process I end up not really absorbing most of it.

    5 votes