This thread/article points out an important aspect of extremism & veterans: purpose and meaning.
Other important factors are identity and a sense of belonging/community/brotherhood.
I didn’t find any data on suicide deaths of veterans for the last couple of years, but…1/
Other important factors are identity and a sense of belonging/community/brotherhood.
I didn’t find any data on suicide deaths of veterans for the last couple of years, but…1/
https://twitter.com/abgutman/status/1468972101314887681
…it would be interesting to see if there has been a drop from the widely reported statistic of 22 per day, because it’s conceivable that militia membership would have a mitigating effect on those suicide numbers.
Why?
Well, consider how difficult it is for…2/
Why?
Well, consider how difficult it is for…2/
….veterans who identify as warriors/patriots/defenders of the Republic,.....and who went from waking up every day willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country,...and who employed unique life-saving and life taking skills/training/technology…. 3/
..…in a highly stimulating/adrenaline-rushed environment….alongside men who have essentially become “brothers” who will kill/die for each other….
…..to adjust to a post-deployment life of menial jobs (or unemployment), physical isolation, and mental health challenges. 4/
…..to adjust to a post-deployment life of menial jobs (or unemployment), physical isolation, and mental health challenges. 4/
When retired NFL guys talk about struggling with their transition from into retirement, often, the thing they say they miss the most isn’t necessarily playing the game (although that’s definitely part of it)…….what they often say they miss the most is the locker room: 5/
The retired NFL players miss the brotherhood...they miss the sense of community with the guys who are wired differently than the rest of society….they miss the guys who are willing to put themselves at risk for a cause that is greater than themselves, and for each other. 6/
Similarly, former vets are often missing the “locker room”.
They’re missing the sense of community with people who are as uniquely “wired”, as they are.
They’re missing the shared identity.
They’re missing the “cause” (purpose/meaning). 7/
They’re missing the sense of community with people who are as uniquely “wired”, as they are.
They’re missing the shared identity.
They’re missing the “cause” (purpose/meaning). 7/
If you and your “brothers” have been trained to use the most advanced technology in the world to engage in/defend against armed conflict as a team…
…it's a difficult adjustment having to settle for stocking shelves with a handheld barcode reader…..alone…..at a Walmart. 8/
…it's a difficult adjustment having to settle for stocking shelves with a handheld barcode reader…..alone…..at a Walmart. 8/
For the vets who are struggling with identity/purpose/isolation……they may not only want the conspiracy theory/alternate reality to be true…
..they need it to be true…..9/
..they need it to be true…..9/
…and that need (purpose/identity) may compromise their judgment or critical thinking.
This “need” becomes/creates a purpose/identity-driven form of confirmation bias….where they will continue to seek out information/sources of information that not only confirms their bias…10/
This “need” becomes/creates a purpose/identity-driven form of confirmation bias….where they will continue to seek out information/sources of information that not only confirms their bias…10/
...but that also confirms their purpose/identity: A patriotic soldier fighting for their country.
And similar to when people dismiss information that disconfirms (challenges) their biases, the vets may dismiss information that disconfirms (threatens) their identity/purpose. 11/
And similar to when people dismiss information that disconfirms (challenges) their biases, the vets may dismiss information that disconfirms (threatens) their identity/purpose. 11/
If “reality” means settling for menial work/unemployment and isolation….
...and an alternate reality provides community, and a purpose-driven identity that utilizes your unique skill set...
….which would you choose? 12/
...and an alternate reality provides community, and a purpose-driven identity that utilizes your unique skill set...
….which would you choose? 12/
This sense of community is an important factor in tribalization. This need for a sense of community has been analyzed this using an addiction model, generally…….. 13/
https://twitter.com/Nick_Carmody/status/1404066644524101643
This need for a sense of community has also been analyzed using the addiction model, more specifically, in the context of extremism/radicalization…… 14/
https://twitter.com/Nick_Carmody/status/1446642768302931969
I’ve also analyzed the PTSD or PTSD-like factor through the lens of manipulation of neuropsychological fear responses……. 15/
https://twitter.com/Nick_Carmody/status/1391378914132463620
……as well as through the lens of social media algorithm/sleep deprivation…… 16/
https://twitter.com/Nick_Carmody/status/1470012339998978048
Radical extremists understand all of this and exploit it. I’ve written about a 2019 Breitbart article where Trump tipped his hand to the insurrection: 17/
https://twitter.com/Nick_Carmody/status/1412036234952658944
A thread on masculinity......that touches on the struggles vets deal with when coming home with PTSD: 24/
https://twitter.com/Nick_Carmody/status/1457714709537464328
The article discusses the "entertainment" factor of Qanon/conspiracies. A thread analyzing that factor: 25a/
https://twitter.com/Nick_Carmody/status/1358067966584098817
Thread analyzing "authoritarian follower" personalities, and why they are disproportionately represented in "vertical power structures" such as the military and law enforcement: 26/
https://twitter.com/Nick_Carmody/status/1417234961216638987
An article touching on the importance of creating purpose and meaning, and the necessity of finding a "why" and a "how" when struggling with trauma and suicidal ideation: 27/patreon.com/posts/rebuildi…
I forgot to add it to the thread, but yesterday I was actually thinking about how those who have been discharged from the military for not being vaccinated will be more likely to join anti-government groups and militias.
https://twitter.com/lightheart1/status/1472073216747192321
Just posted the article version (no paywall) of this thread: patreon.com/posts/60065355
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