Politics and human behaviour — Kirsty Fanton
I’m * not * here to wax lyrical about what we should be doing to hold space for difference, but I do wish to share a few of the bigger-picture things I’ve been thinking of a lot lately, in the hopes that it may begin some intriguing conversations.So, if you’re up for
some extensive thoughts, have a read and let me understand what turns up for you.Thing # 1: In-group out-group dynamics, and
the empowerment of minority out-groups AKA the’us vs them’mindset in a little expensive psych-terms, as it’s unfolding in 2020 In a
nutshell, the concept of in-group out-group dynamics refers to the reality that we relate to particular groups(our
in-groups)and range ourselves from those we do not– or do not desire to– belong to (our out-groups) as a way to form our sense of self.Problem is, this opens us approximately all sorts of predispositions whereby we favour those in our in-groups and discriminate against those in our out-groups, even when we don’t realise we’re doing it. What I think is interesting, when we take a look at what’s occurring in the world right now, is that we’re living in a time where a number of’minority out-groups’have been culturally empowered– Some for good (BIPOC) and some for bad(conservative extremists). Picture, for a 2nd, you’re a white supremacist and have invested the last twenty years being avoided by the rest of society, when all of an abrupt the leader of your country confirms your views.Empowering? You betcha.Because it produces the conditions for you to be more forward with your views and less scared of discrimination.Mainly because I’m a huge ol’ leftie, and partially since an indescribable part of me likes Newton’s Third Law( “For every single action, there is an equivalent and
opposite response “)it makes me
pleased in my bones that the Black Lives Matter movement has actually likewise found real traction this year.But– Given that BIPOC are still a minority group * and * are
actively threatening some out-of-date power structures, we’re in a circumstance where the bulk group(i.e. the one presently in power)is responding to this danger by developing and tightening up state controls in some lovely radicalised ways.In other words, group characteristics are quite informative as
we attempt and understand the world around us, and an excellent way to make sense of what often seems like chaos.If you wish to dive deeper into any of this stuff, this post is an excellent location to start.Thing # 2: Found out vulnerability This little chestnut describes the reality that after extended direct exposure to a demanding scenario( like a worldwide pandemic, a crazed orange male
consistently threatening a country’s democracy, or being a Melburnian in 2020)people begin to think they do not have control over what happens to them.Which ways they stop trying.To put it
another method, when nothing is working, we tend to stop doing anything that * might * work.Of course, it’s an absolutely
reasonable reaction AND a totally unhelpful one, especially in a time where the world requires us to stand up for what we believe in if we wish to change the existing trajectory.Which brings me to … Thing # 3: We people are naturally bad at understanding things that are huge, international, and have long-term implications Which is especially troublesome today, as we stand in the middle of a pandemic and (perhaps )at the very edges of a defining moment when
it pertains to climate modification. I * believe * the specific issue with both these things is that the rate of change isn’t direct
but rapid, and our brains merely aren’t wired to understand it.I remember back in the early days of COVID when I initially heard the’rice on chessboard ‘example and my teeny small mind was BLOWN. Even now, I know it’s factually appropriate, however
I still can’t fathom how.
Anyway, all of this is to say I’m pretty sure we remain in a minute that requires us to act in ways we’re not set for.I don’t know what
to do about it, mind you, however awareness is the initial step towards action, right?Thing # 4: Not inspired towards a prospect, but far from their competitor Usually speaking, inspiration beings in 2 classifications: towards a benefit or away from an expense. The problem with away-from inspiration is that it’s one-dimensional. It does not have vision, clear direction, and consistency– 3 components which are
related to favorable, continual outcomes.Now, I can just promote myself here, but I can’t remember the last time I was really influenced by among our politicians here in Australia. It’s been a game of “select the least offending middle-aged
white man “for the last ten years, and I simply actually want we might move Australia right on over to New Zealand, and claim Jacinda as our own
.
in-groups)and range ourselves from those we do not– or do not desire to– belong to (our out-groups) as a way to form our sense of self.Problem is, this opens us approximately all sorts of predispositions whereby we favour those in our in-groups and discriminate against those in our out-groups, even when we don’t realise we’re doing it. What I think is interesting, when we take a look at what’s occurring in the world right now, is that we’re living in a time where a number of’minority out-groups’have been culturally empowered– Some for good (BIPOC) and some for bad(conservative extremists). Picture, for a 2nd, you’re a white supremacist and have invested the last twenty years being avoided by the rest of society, when all of an abrupt the leader of your country confirms your views.Empowering? You betcha.Because it produces the conditions for you to be more forward with your views and less scared of discrimination.Mainly because I’m a huge ol’ leftie, and partially since an indescribable part of me likes Newton’s Third Law( “For every single action, there is an equivalent and
opposite response “)it makes me
pleased in my bones that the Black Lives Matter movement has actually likewise found real traction this year.But– Given that BIPOC are still a minority group * and * are
actively threatening some out-of-date power structures, we’re in a circumstance where the bulk group(i.e. the one presently in power)is responding to this danger by developing and tightening up state controls in some lovely radicalised ways.In other words, group characteristics are quite informative as
we attempt and understand the world around us, and an excellent way to make sense of what often seems like chaos.If you wish to dive deeper into any of this stuff, this post is an excellent location to start.Thing # 2: Found out vulnerability This little chestnut describes the reality that after extended direct exposure to a demanding scenario( like a worldwide pandemic, a crazed orange male
consistently threatening a country’s democracy, or being a Melburnian in 2020)people begin to think they do not have control over what happens to them.Which ways they stop trying.To put it
another method, when nothing is working, we tend to stop doing anything that * might * work.Of course, it’s an absolutely
reasonable reaction AND a totally unhelpful one, especially in a time where the world requires us to stand up for what we believe in if we wish to change the existing trajectory.Which brings me to … Thing # 3: We people are naturally bad at understanding things that are huge, international, and have long-term implications Which is especially troublesome today, as we stand in the middle of a pandemic and (perhaps )at the very edges of a defining moment when
it pertains to climate modification. I * believe * the specific issue with both these things is that the rate of change isn’t direct
but rapid, and our brains merely aren’t wired to understand it.I remember back in the early days of COVID when I initially heard the’rice on chessboard ‘example and my teeny small mind was BLOWN. Even now, I know it’s factually appropriate, however
I still can’t fathom how.
Anyway, all of this is to say I’m pretty sure we remain in a minute that requires us to act in ways we’re not set for.I don’t know what
to do about it, mind you, however awareness is the initial step towards action, right?Thing # 4: Not inspired towards a prospect, but far from their competitor Usually speaking, inspiration beings in 2 classifications: towards a benefit or away from an expense. The problem with away-from inspiration is that it’s one-dimensional. It does not have vision, clear direction, and consistency– 3 components which are
related to favorable, continual outcomes.Now, I can just promote myself here, but I can’t remember the last time I was really influenced by among our politicians here in Australia. It’s been a game of “select the least offending middle-aged
white man “for the last ten years, and I simply actually want we might move Australia right on over to New Zealand, and claim Jacinda as our own
.
but rapid, and our brains merely aren’t wired to understand it.I remember back in the early days of COVID when I initially heard the’rice on chessboard ‘example and my teeny small mind was BLOWN. Even now, I know it’s factually appropriate, however
I still can’t fathom how.