How does it come about that people believe, and act upon, destructive mass delusions?
We're social primates with strong (and instinctive/primal/programmed) social hierarchies, bonding and behaviours. Including automatic division in "them" and "us", common cognitions, and symbols thereof. In the celebration of the Chinese Communist Party's 100th anniversary everbody placed the four digits of each hand carefully on their knees. In the USA President's inauguration everyone had had their teeth whitened.
In religions mass delusions, sometimes abominable/sometimes very helpful with great adaptive benefits, are common. Social bonding and empathy/committment, expressed and reinforced through accepting delusions in common. Or "those hills are haunted by evil spirits" [They have high levels of accumulating/toxic heavy metal ores].
In the Boer War the British came to believe that they could impose upon on the Boer commandos.
In Afghanistan the USA/NATO/Russia fought wars from the belief that they could do the same.
In the French Revolution of 1789 and in the revolutions of 1848, all across Europe, people/leaders came to believe they would benefit by overthrowing the existing order.
Many people, including decision makers, came to believe that overthrowing Saddam Hussein, Muammar Ghaddafi and Ali Saleh, or attempting to overthrow Bashar Assad, would do good.
Where do these madnesses come from?
#MoreInCommon, #WhatDoYouWant?
