Chpt 17: Reformed Nice Guy

So it is, that we are taught from a young age to fall in line, to be indoctrinated, to adhere and comply. Teaching people in a way that stifles independent thinking, and promotes conformity, would seem the easiest way to maintain social order. Indeed a population that is taught to work, and not think, would be most beneficial to those in power. Indeed, JF Rockefeller, who created the General Education Board in the USA in 1902, said “I don’t want a nation of thinkers, I want a nation of workers.” The problem with this method of teaching, and you could argue most public school systems adhere to this, is that it does not teach emotional intelligence, and discourages complex problem solving and teamwork.

Over the long run, this is not beneficial. It produces generations of adults unable to think without emotion, unable to function in a complex and changing world, of angry people who believe they have the right and the need to comment on everything, and with authority.

The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out for himself, without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, and intolerable…

Attributed to H.L. Mencken

Your Intelligence Is A Threat

The above quote, attributed to the American writer and social critic H.L. Mencken, written in a different time and context, continues to hold a profound truth in our contemporary world. Independent thought, often heralded as a hallmark of enlightened individuals, is the ability to critically assess and form opinions without being unduly influenced by societal norms, dogma, or authority. It is the cornerstone of progress, innovation, and personal growth. When individuals engage in independent thinking, they become active participants in shaping their own destinies and the world around them.

One of the most significant consequences of independent thought is its potential to unveil government dishonesty. Governments, like any other human institution, are susceptible to corruption, manipulation, and dishonesty. Independent thinkers, unafraid to question the actions and motives of their government, can expose dishonest practices such as corruption, misinformation, and abuses of power. By challenging the status quo, these individuals serve as a crucial check on governmental misconduct.

While independent thought is a powerful tool for social progress and accountability, it is often perceived as a threat by governments, particularly those that prioritize control and authority over transparency and democracy. Why do governments fear independent thinkers, and how do they respond to this perceived threat?

I Challenge Your Authority To Govern Me

Governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed. This has been a phrase oft quoted, but earliest seen in the writings of Scottish Catholic priest and Franciscan friar, Duns Scotus, who proposed this in his work Ordinatio in the 1290s.

The power of kings and magistrates is nothing else, but what is only derivative, transferred and committed to them in trust from the people, to the common good of them all, in whom the power yet remains fundamentally, and cannot be taken from them, without a violation of their natural birthright.

John Milton

When individuals engage in independent thought, with a framework of critical thinking, they almost inevitably begin to question the actions and policies of their government. It challenges the traditional authority structures. Governments may view this as a threat to their legitimacy and seek to suppress dissenting voices to maintain control.

To counter the influence of independent thinkers, governments have historically employed various tactics to suppress dissent. These tactics range from censorship and propaganda to the suppression of free speech and the use of force. The fear of losing control often drives governments to curtail the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, which are fundamental rights in democratic societies.

In the last several years we have seen the oppressive tools of censorship, propaganda, and force, used to suppress dissenting voices and popular movements. The global reaction to the pandemic exposed the unsavory opinions of many of those in positions of power in governments that would be typically be considered Liberal and Democratic. I discussed the ability for authoritarians to take advantage of instability and chaos in Chpt 12: Synchronize Your Dogmas.

Accountability Metric

Democracy thrives when citizens engage in independent thought and hold their government accountable. Independent thinkers are essential for the functioning of democratic societies, as they ensure that those in power remain transparent, responsive, and accountable to the people. In this sense, the most dangerous man to an oppressive government is also the guardian of democracy.

Even the most powerful and the most despotic government cannot hold a society together by sheer force

Thomas Hill Green

If those who govern, inevitably find conflict in their aims, with those they govern, then conflict arises. Indeed, we have seen signs of this instability, mostly in the USA, where civil unrest and the inability of those in charge to govern, is slowly eroding. Trust of the government decreased steadily through the 60’s and 70’s, before rising and falling off precipitously after the start of the 2000’s. It is not a coincidence that these trends align with periods of war and scandals during which the Government increased its use of propaganda, surveillance and lies to push it’s agenda. This is not a partisan issue, this is a bipartisan trend of growing distrust with those in power, regardless of which party they belong to.

This distrust, I believe, stems from a lack of accountability within the hallways of government and the inability to hold those people to the laws they themselves set. As the size of a government grows, the decision making falls on committees and panels. Within that framework lies the lack of accountability for people to respond to. When those who govern, make mistakes that cost the citizens their freedoms, their property or their rights, no one is held accountable.

Moreover, because of the lack of ability for people to think and appraise situations critically, they lash out violently.

Conclusion

The suppression of independent thought in favor of conformity, as exemplified by John D. Rockefeller’s preference for a nation of workers, raises significant concerns about the potential erosion of critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills within our society. This approach has created generations ill-prepared to navigate the complexities of our ever-changing world.

The inherent risks associated with governments perceiving independent thinkers as threats to their authority. The historical use of censorship, propaganda, and force to quell dissent serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of stifling individual thought.

This situation has caused a two pronged effect on the stability of our nations. Firstly, that those who are emotionally stunted are unable to respond or behave civilly, threatening those who can. Secondly, those who are able to critically appraise the overreach of government and speak out are being silenced, ridiculed and cancelled.

One of these situations can be handled through the use of force by authority, the other cannot. I feel that in the midst of losing control, the authoritarian demons will appear in the form of Emergency Acts and Martial Law. Perhaps it’s time for the critical thinkers to become Reformed ‘Nice Guys’.

Certainly it is time to ensure that we teach our children how to think.