Interesting analysis of “mobbing phenomenon”, with parallels drawn to American politics.
It brings to mind the dangerous interplay between "authoritarian followers” and “vertically power-structured” institutions that exist within a “horizontally power-structured” democracy...1/
According to Altemeyer’s research, 20-30% of a population will have an authoritarian personality.
Authoritarian personalities are drawn to “vertical power structures”….which are a strict hierarchical structure where power emanates from the top-down. 2/ theauthoritarians.org
The article above analyzes a corporate environment. I've used the term "corporate creatures" to describe those who thrive in and exploit the corporate structure and the cut-throat ecosystem.
Corporate creatures are often authoritarian personalities/followers who...3/
...are drawn to the top-down vertical power structure of "authority", b/c they not only gravitate to the powerful leader, but they want to ascend the power structure to have power/control over others.
Authoritarian followers are not only drawn to authority, they may crave it. 4/
Unsurprisingly, Narcissists/Sociopaths are drawn to the vertical power structure of corporate America, and are disproportionately represented within the ranks of CEOs...as noted here when analyzing society’s failure to rein in narcissists/sociopaths. 5/
Due to their vertical power structure, certain institutions may be comprised of a considerably higher percentage of authoritarian followers than the 20-30% that generally exists across society. 6/
….and, perhaps even more importantly, the need for civilian-led military.
However, when an authoritarian leader takes power and abuses his power, the country is reliant upon the character/integrity/patriotism and constitutional adherence of leaders such as General Milley…..10/
This is why Trump and the Right Wing “Media Authoritarians” have turned on General Milley, and are attempting to create division within the disproportionately-represented authoritarian follower ranks….11/
Essentially, a horizontal power structure has been hijacked by authoritarian personalities, who are attempting to vertical-ize democracy, and create a diversion of verticality from current military leadership to the right-wing authoritarian movement. 12/
As I read, the article about "mobbing phenomenon" embedded in the initial tweet, I thought about Jeremy Richman, the Sandy Hook father/neuroscientist who committed suicide after becoming exhausted by the Alex Jones-led "mobbing" ("crisis actors", etc).
...these very same people glorify Jan 6th "hostages"...
...many of whom waved "other" flags while violently overrunning the halls of congress to undemocratically/unconstitutionally subvert an election in order to keep a lying, traitorous, sociopathic narcissist in power.
2/
Unfortunately, human beings experience something called recency bias:
Recency bias is a cognitive bias that favors recent events over historic ones; a memory bias. Recency bias gives "greater importance to the most recent event".
Article about device addiction by @brianklaas, which references @JonHaidt's book "the Anxious Generation" analyzing the effect smart phones have on kids.
I work with kids who struggle with electronic device dependency/addiction.
I attached relevant threads about Qanon, the neuropsychology of conspiracy theory susceptibility, and how dopamine/addiction and celebrity gossip/entertainment factors in, etc.
It's difficult to remember all of the things that should repulse otherwise decent people who continue to support a severely disordered man who they would otherwise condemn in any other context.