In April, 1978, when I was college sophomore, I went to hear a night-time guest lecture by Michael Harrington, the sociologist and author of the influential 1960s book, The Other America. The book profiled various impoverished American demographic groups who missed the 1950s wave of prosperity.
“I think it’s morally wrong and unconstitutional to make people take shots by threatening to fire them. But if it means we can ‘get back to normal,’ it’s worth it.” boom. 100%. manipulate a population with social media and habituate them to the most pathological narcissism and this is what you get.
as they say in texas, the only thing you find in the middle of the road is white lines and dead armadillos.
I get so angry all over again, just reading the excuses & justifications. None of it made any sense at the time & is even more ludicrous & unbelievable in hindsight.
The deep & lasting harm goes so far beyond what was done to us in the name of “public health” or “safety” or whatever it was that the people who implemented them & those who welcomed them or went along knew or thought they knew. That harm encompasses the traumatic betrayal not only by governments & institutions, but most especially by our families, friends & fellow citizens. I will never get over this. Ever.
Just shows how narcissistic most people really are. Do whatever so "I" can get my life back. Also the "lazy brains" of so many. Not a lick of their own research.
Mar 30, 2023·edited Mar 30, 2023Liked by Mark Oshinskie
Completely agree with what you've written but am wondering when the center will fall apart and sanity be returned. I'm still seeing the true crazies who still believe in the shots for everyone forever having their say and getting their way. I do not see us unvaccinated being listened to any more than we were before. Now it is don't say anything to upset the ones who took the shot b/c they did it for all the right reasons but got it wrong and we don't want to throw that in their faces... Well why not??? They threw it in our faces 24/7/365 for 3 YEARS! When is it our turn to hear them apologize for what they did and are still doing to us??? Because until that happens, this WILL happen again. They will be coerced into doing something for the "Good of everyone" and we WILL be pushed into a corner and possibly even worse next time. Concentration camps for those who refuse the shots, anyone? We barely dodged that bullet this time around.
If there are no consequences for their poor choices and their bad actions they will never have to think twice before doing it again and then heaven help all of us because they very may well succeed next time...
So interesting that both eastern and western cultures warn about the danger of standing out: the "nail that sticks up", the "tall poppy", the "crabs in a bucket." In April of 2020 I agreed to accompany my husband to a local nursery. There were maybe 6 people outside in the pouring rain wearing dripping wet masks. My husband told me I should put on a mask "to be polite." I told him I was not getting out of the car, this is insane. Fast forward three years, and it is obvious that those who followed the crowd are the ones who got soaked.
The type of behavior most peasants displayed during the Scamdemic was described as “The Banality of Evil” by Hannah Arendt decades ago. The type of people who proudly follow orders or just go along to get along. Same type of behavior was plainly described as “stupid” by propagandist Edward Bernays. I guess some things don’t change.
Most would agree the following characteristics describe antisocial behavior: decietfulness, reckless disregard for human life, and the inability to lack remorse for physically hurting or stealing from trusting powerless individuals. Some might say, those personality traits are sociopathic. If you think about it, isn't it interesting how many if not all of our top leaders in business and government possess those traits. Instead of the cream rising to the top a putrid sour mix of manipulative, but charming sociopaths manage to conceal their viciousness as they wreak havoc on society. In other words, "normal non-sadistic folks" are being held captive by pyschopathic goons.
Terrific stuff, Mark! It is truly astounding how many people do not care about their individual rights.
Had my annual doctor visit on Monday. When she started pushing me to take the vaccine (recurring theme), I told her that I had lost most of my trust in the medical system because of how they handled the pandemic. They told us that if we took the vaccine we would not get infected or transmit the virus to others and that was a big fat lie.
She still wanted me to take the vaccine (no way) but did concede that the "messaging was not good" about infection/transmission. It's a start.
We lived through a gigantic Milgram experiment. Now they know they can count on 99% to obey.
You can not comply your way out of tyranny. What is worse than complying only for yourself, is forcing others to comply.
“I think it’s morally wrong and unconstitutional to make people take shots by threatening to fire them. But if it means we can ‘get back to normal,’ it’s worth it.” boom. 100%. manipulate a population with social media and habituate them to the most pathological narcissism and this is what you get.
as they say in texas, the only thing you find in the middle of the road is white lines and dead armadillos.
I get so angry all over again, just reading the excuses & justifications. None of it made any sense at the time & is even more ludicrous & unbelievable in hindsight.
The deep & lasting harm goes so far beyond what was done to us in the name of “public health” or “safety” or whatever it was that the people who implemented them & those who welcomed them or went along knew or thought they knew. That harm encompasses the traumatic betrayal not only by governments & institutions, but most especially by our families, friends & fellow citizens. I will never get over this. Ever.
Dante reserved a special spot in hell for the Neutrals
Chasing a white flag for eternity, they stood for nothing
Spot-on! That was so well stated I can’t think of anything to add except, thank you .
Just shows how narcissistic most people really are. Do whatever so "I" can get my life back. Also the "lazy brains" of so many. Not a lick of their own research.
Completely agree with what you've written but am wondering when the center will fall apart and sanity be returned. I'm still seeing the true crazies who still believe in the shots for everyone forever having their say and getting their way. I do not see us unvaccinated being listened to any more than we were before. Now it is don't say anything to upset the ones who took the shot b/c they did it for all the right reasons but got it wrong and we don't want to throw that in their faces... Well why not??? They threw it in our faces 24/7/365 for 3 YEARS! When is it our turn to hear them apologize for what they did and are still doing to us??? Because until that happens, this WILL happen again. They will be coerced into doing something for the "Good of everyone" and we WILL be pushed into a corner and possibly even worse next time. Concentration camps for those who refuse the shots, anyone? We barely dodged that bullet this time around.
If there are no consequences for their poor choices and their bad actions they will never have to think twice before doing it again and then heaven help all of us because they very may well succeed next time...
So interesting that both eastern and western cultures warn about the danger of standing out: the "nail that sticks up", the "tall poppy", the "crabs in a bucket." In April of 2020 I agreed to accompany my husband to a local nursery. There were maybe 6 people outside in the pouring rain wearing dripping wet masks. My husband told me I should put on a mask "to be polite." I told him I was not getting out of the car, this is insane. Fast forward three years, and it is obvious that those who followed the crowd are the ones who got soaked.
The type of behavior most peasants displayed during the Scamdemic was described as “The Banality of Evil” by Hannah Arendt decades ago. The type of people who proudly follow orders or just go along to get along. Same type of behavior was plainly described as “stupid” by propagandist Edward Bernays. I guess some things don’t change.
Most would agree the following characteristics describe antisocial behavior: decietfulness, reckless disregard for human life, and the inability to lack remorse for physically hurting or stealing from trusting powerless individuals. Some might say, those personality traits are sociopathic. If you think about it, isn't it interesting how many if not all of our top leaders in business and government possess those traits. Instead of the cream rising to the top a putrid sour mix of manipulative, but charming sociopaths manage to conceal their viciousness as they wreak havoc on society. In other words, "normal non-sadistic folks" are being held captive by pyschopathic goons.
Averages only exist as a mathematical concept; many see them as real, and nothing could be further from the truth.
I told you Mark. You have more to write. This is beautifully and succinctly written. Thank you. Please keep writing.
Terrific stuff, Mark! It is truly astounding how many people do not care about their individual rights.
Had my annual doctor visit on Monday. When she started pushing me to take the vaccine (recurring theme), I told her that I had lost most of my trust in the medical system because of how they handled the pandemic. They told us that if we took the vaccine we would not get infected or transmit the virus to others and that was a big fat lie.
She still wanted me to take the vaccine (no way) but did concede that the "messaging was not good" about infection/transmission. It's a start.
Well said, that man! Excellent piece, Mark! And thank you!
Excellent !