Public attitudes in the current phase of the pandemic have taken on elements of magical thinking, often encouraged by those with the most influence.
Four components of this magical thinking are 1) changing the meaning of words, 2) scapegoating, 3) ritual, and 4) prophecy.
Four components of this magical thinking are 1) changing the meaning of words, 2) scapegoating, 3) ritual, and 4) prophecy.
1) Changing the meaning of words, which could be called spells or magic words, involves mobilizing language to mystify, but also making acceptable what should be unacceptable. Here are a few examples:
"Learning to live with it" means accepting high levels of death and suffering.
"Learning to live with it" means accepting high levels of death and suffering.
"Mild" means it doesn't put you in hospital.
"Back to normal" (a phrase laden with ableism anyways) means things will never be the same again.
"Endemic" means ongoing mass infection.
"You have to live your life" means ignoring the predictable consequence of your actions.
"Back to normal" (a phrase laden with ableism anyways) means things will never be the same again.
"Endemic" means ongoing mass infection.
"You have to live your life" means ignoring the predictable consequence of your actions.
2) Scapegoating is magical thinking in the sense that it is irrational, but it is functional in that it allows a society to shift blame and "move on" from some crisis.
Scapegoating has happened throughout the pandemic, earlier directed at "covidiots" and "the unvaccinated."
Scapegoating has happened throughout the pandemic, earlier directed at "covidiots" and "the unvaccinated."
Now, scapegoating is being directed at those continuing to be cautious and unwilling to take part in the "new normal." They are at times even blamed for the continuation of the pandemic, and absurdly told they "might as well get it over with" or they risk being "left behind."
3) Ritual is part of the trend of magical thinking and involves public displays of affiliation with the attitudes of "learning to live with it."
Rituals can be as simple as the refusal to mask, which marks insiders and outsiders of the group.
Rituals can be as simple as the refusal to mask, which marks insiders and outsiders of the group.
Other rituals include the public declaration of affiliation, such as attending and sharing photos of social events with no precautions, even as there is ongoing and widespread infection. Such rituals are encouraged by similar televised events of those with the most influence.
4) Prophecy is a component of magical thinking involving foretelling a future in which COVID is not a concern. This has happened throughout the pandemic but intensified over the past year.
Experts or people with influence say that by some date "COVID will be over."
Experts or people with influence say that by some date "COVID will be over."
Vaccines were said to end the pandemic. Herd immunity was said to end the pandemic. Supposedly weaker variants would end the pandemic. And so on.
All sorts of prophecies never panned out, but those making the prophecies were still given the microphone again.
All sorts of prophecies never panned out, but those making the prophecies were still given the microphone again.
These and other components of magical thinking infiltrated public attitudes for several reasons, chief among them the political failure to adequately address the pandemic.
In the absence of reasonable political leadership. magic and myth become acceptable alternatives for many.
In the absence of reasonable political leadership. magic and myth become acceptable alternatives for many.
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