LEST WE FORGET - The Dangerous Impacts of the Trance of Conformity

Poignant words from theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer written while in prison and awaiting his execution because of his actions to try to stop the atrocities of Adolf Hitler.

Normally I don’t like to use the word “stupid” but appreciate the use of this term as referring to the sad situation when a person is in a trance that has been created by the consumption of propaganda, even and especially unknowingly.

Whenever there is a “group-think” on a large scale and disparate voices are not welcomed to be heard, this is very dangerous. Human rights and freedoms then can become silenced, endangering all to the tyranny of limited thinking and the delusion of certainty.

Such “certainty” has the unfortunate effect of skewing perception and impairing the ability for proper scientific inquiry. By definition, scientific inquiry requires an open mind to information that challenges the popular beliefs in a society and a willingness to consider the possibility that the popular beliefs held by the masses (and oneself) may actually be wrong.

In hindsight the foolishness of clinging to incorrect yet popular beliefs is easy to see. A great example of this is when we reflect on Galileo who was imprisoned and accused of promulgating misinformation (and had to be silenced) because he spoke of his observations which suggested that the earth revolved around the sun rather than the sun revolving the earth, as had been the unquestioned narrative of the time.

Whenever concerted steps are taken to silence and vilify voices that deviate from any “accepted truth”, especially when coercive actions that impose force to ensure compliance with what are thought to be “right actions” occurs, we know we are treading in very dangerous territory. Such conditions offer the fertile soil for the seeds of tyranny to be planted and grow.

While there are many reasons to celebrate and protect personal rights and freedoms, as is the case of our own body’s microbiome, the natural function of nurturing diversity only makes a society healthier and more robust. Mono-culture agricultural practices are known to deplete the soil and lead to disease and other unsustainable outcomes.

Honouring individual sovereignty of thought and body is a necessary, even if not entirely sufficient, condition for not only a free and humane society, but also to avoid the temptation to promote any singular way of thinking and acting. It is along this line that I think is the essence of “stupidity” that Bonhoeffer speaks of in the following profound quote:

“Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed – in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical – and when facts are irrefutable they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self-satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack. For that reason, greater caution is called for when dealing with a stupid person than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous."

To learn more about Diedrich Bonhoeffer, you can read Annie Holmquist's April 2016 article entitled "Bonhoeffer on the ‘Stupidity’ That Led to Hitler’s Rise" - Americans today might do well to heed Bonhoeffer’s warning.

In my professional studies, especially focusing on social influence theory and also the ethics of human communication, I learned how cultivating fear and using related propaganda can be a powerful tool to "stupify" people and convince them to follow directives that are presented as the solution to the perceived or real fear. It is a brilliant way to thwart discourse of alternative possible solutions and rally conformity and unity of actions, even when the remedy involves the violation of basic human rights and freedoms.

Fortunately, we have seen the harm that such actions have caused in the past, so as we move forward, may we all awaken from the seemingly comfortable trance that engaging in "group-think" can create and instead consciously choose to retain our clarity of mind and ensure the protection of the tenets and policies necessary for a free society.

~ Theresa Nicassio, PhD.