We suffer from chronic 9/11itis.
Nov 12, 2008 Politics, Society
Shortly after 9/11, many of my friends developed what I called acute 9/11itis. People that were once rational, thoughtful individuals were transformed overnight into raving hawks, hellbent on blowing something… ANYTHING, up!
For most people, the crippling effects wore off quickly. Rationality set in and people realized that running off like Rambo without a jock strap might not be the best way to respond. Now, I won’t suggest that the US should not go after enemies that are committing crimes against it. I am merely suggesting that there are many ways to win the “war on terror”.
But some people never recovered, and their acute case became chronic. Symptoms seem to include wild swings toward the political right, a sudden need to join the NRA, a blinding support for any military action proposed by President Bush, and a sudden urge to be born again.
But the most unsettling symptom seems to be a deep seated fear. A fear that cripples their rationality, and fills them with righteous anger. This fear is a lever that seems to enable the US leadership to limit our civil rights, wiretap our phone calls, and set up offshore detention centers.
I know there are books full of psychological diseases. Is there an official name for this one?
November 12th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
What it makes me think of is herd mentality. :/
People just plod along with the herd, following without a true view of where they are going, no room for free movement or thought, no stepping out of line, individual voices can barely be heard. They trade their freedom for some apparent sense of security, when in actuality they have no idea where they are going. It’s then pretty easy to either guide the mass in the direction that is desired, or to panic them and get them to bolt en masse, since once in the herd, they don’t see a way out.