Life as Theatre and the Well-Intended Sociopath
Politicians lie! Not just some politicians, but all politicians. Is it because of their genetic nature? Does it reflect a predisposition towards extraordinary levels of truth manipulation? Maybe! In a study of who is most likely to be a sociopath, some professions rank a good deal higher than others when talking about pathological traits. For instance; CEO’s, doctors, attorneys, military leaders and politicians sit high on the scale of those most likely to exhibit sociopathic tendencies. All of the above jobs, not surprisingly, are about having some kind of power over others. Religious leaders should probably be held in high esteem (or low depending on one’s perspective) on the sociopath's ladder as well.
Increasingly, it would seem that society is headed down that long road, right along with their leaders. The greater truth is that this has, probably, always been the case. Just look at the large crowds at the Roman Circuses—those that form at a lynching, a cross burning, rubberneckers showing a certain glee at a bad accident, as though they were watching a movie, replete with special effects. Throw in violent films, even more violent video games and you have a petri dish with all of the necessary ingredients to grow a whole generation of mentally deranged citizens.
People, apparently, need relatively little encouragement to objectify a perceived enemy, reducing them to a thing to be dealt with, devoid of essential humanity. And, when the aged, the infirmed and the “Other” (they know who they are) get in the way, it’ll be only a matter of time before the gulags and the lethal injections become par for the course.
What the righteously deranged really need, however, is a good catalyst. Something to light the fuse and ignite human indignation. Indignities so profound that only a more profound indignity will right the previous wrong. It is when people are acting with righteous indignation that the greatest atrocities occur. A righteous man will never see himself as unrighteous. How could he, he’s righteous—and when you’re righteous you can’t be unrighteous! This is unassailable logic. Or, as some might say, logic that doesn't sail very effectively.
This is where evidence comes in, cold, hard facts, things that can be looked at, weighed and measured. Without facts, there is only subjective opinion and personal anecdote as a substitute for reason.
Let me give you an example of just one of the many conversations that I’ve had with people about those things called facts. So, for your edification, I’ve written a short play. This mythological exchange isn’t exactly true, but it serves its purpose, and one’s purpose must be serviced on a regular basis, if you know what I mean. It reflects a conversation between Timmy and Bob, but only Bob has a speaking part. Timmy is a mute symbol of the everyman.
Cast of Characters
Timmy: A Man of Indefinite Age, Race, Economic Status and Sexual Orientation,
Probably an Atheist
Bob: A Man of Conviction, probably an Evangelical Homophobe-Republican
Setting: The Stage is dark and empty, with a single chair in the corner (So it’s
not exactly empty, but its close!).
Stage direction – Timmy is off stage and has questioned Bob’s theories about the
end of the world. Bob gets pissed and responds.
Bob:
The world is coming to an end very soon. How do I know this? The facts, just the facts! I realize I cherry-picked the facts that made my case, but, they’re still facts—and thus, true! The other facts, well, they are less fact-infested than my facts, which are the true facts. Not false facts like some people’s facts. That’s how I know these things. So, don’t try and argue, because it’ll be useless, remember, I have the facts!
(Blackout)
(End of Scene)
With that, the curtain rises, the audience shuffles out, spent, experiencing cognitive dissonance in an attempt to absorb it all.
Later: The New York Times critic hails it as a masterpiece of clarity and sublime
intellectual candor.
What can I say, a cigarette might be in order, possibly a nap, maybe later, some football, with my honey getting me a beer and some chips, which leads me to my final summation.
People tend to believe what they want to believe. Why? Because they want to believe it! It doesn't get much more complex than that. We form an idea of who we are, in relation to the world we live in, based on our beliefs, values and traditions—and we're prone to want to defend those beliefs with the same instincts that we use when we’re being attacked physically. Attack a man's ideology and you attack the man. Throw a punch in the direction of his political beliefs and he will likely respond in kind. From there, genocide is but a breath away.
Mark Magula
Increasingly, it would seem that society is headed down that long road, right along with their leaders. The greater truth is that this has, probably, always been the case. Just look at the large crowds at the Roman Circuses—those that form at a lynching, a cross burning, rubberneckers showing a certain glee at a bad accident, as though they were watching a movie, replete with special effects. Throw in violent films, even more violent video games and you have a petri dish with all of the necessary ingredients to grow a whole generation of mentally deranged citizens.
People, apparently, need relatively little encouragement to objectify a perceived enemy, reducing them to a thing to be dealt with, devoid of essential humanity. And, when the aged, the infirmed and the “Other” (they know who they are) get in the way, it’ll be only a matter of time before the gulags and the lethal injections become par for the course.
What the righteously deranged really need, however, is a good catalyst. Something to light the fuse and ignite human indignation. Indignities so profound that only a more profound indignity will right the previous wrong. It is when people are acting with righteous indignation that the greatest atrocities occur. A righteous man will never see himself as unrighteous. How could he, he’s righteous—and when you’re righteous you can’t be unrighteous! This is unassailable logic. Or, as some might say, logic that doesn't sail very effectively.
This is where evidence comes in, cold, hard facts, things that can be looked at, weighed and measured. Without facts, there is only subjective opinion and personal anecdote as a substitute for reason.
Let me give you an example of just one of the many conversations that I’ve had with people about those things called facts. So, for your edification, I’ve written a short play. This mythological exchange isn’t exactly true, but it serves its purpose, and one’s purpose must be serviced on a regular basis, if you know what I mean. It reflects a conversation between Timmy and Bob, but only Bob has a speaking part. Timmy is a mute symbol of the everyman.
Cast of Characters
Timmy: A Man of Indefinite Age, Race, Economic Status and Sexual Orientation,
Probably an Atheist
Bob: A Man of Conviction, probably an Evangelical Homophobe-Republican
Setting: The Stage is dark and empty, with a single chair in the corner (So it’s
not exactly empty, but its close!).
Stage direction – Timmy is off stage and has questioned Bob’s theories about the
end of the world. Bob gets pissed and responds.
Bob:
The world is coming to an end very soon. How do I know this? The facts, just the facts! I realize I cherry-picked the facts that made my case, but, they’re still facts—and thus, true! The other facts, well, they are less fact-infested than my facts, which are the true facts. Not false facts like some people’s facts. That’s how I know these things. So, don’t try and argue, because it’ll be useless, remember, I have the facts!
(Blackout)
(End of Scene)
With that, the curtain rises, the audience shuffles out, spent, experiencing cognitive dissonance in an attempt to absorb it all.
Later: The New York Times critic hails it as a masterpiece of clarity and sublime
intellectual candor.
What can I say, a cigarette might be in order, possibly a nap, maybe later, some football, with my honey getting me a beer and some chips, which leads me to my final summation.
People tend to believe what they want to believe. Why? Because they want to believe it! It doesn't get much more complex than that. We form an idea of who we are, in relation to the world we live in, based on our beliefs, values and traditions—and we're prone to want to defend those beliefs with the same instincts that we use when we’re being attacked physically. Attack a man's ideology and you attack the man. Throw a punch in the direction of his political beliefs and he will likely respond in kind. From there, genocide is but a breath away.
Mark Magula