As part of the syllabus were handed papers on different mental illnesses and psychosis.
One of them was a list of thinking errors that allow sexual predators to victimize the helpless.
On that list was the "I'm special" delusion, which allows these people to believe that normal rules and limitations do not pertain to them. Because, after all, they are "special."
After reading that I could not help but ponder all of the other people who also share that belief.
Burglars, murderers, arsonists, and then the ones that are not necessarily among the criminal class, actors, politicians, evangelists.
Then taking that concept to its natural conclusion I realized that on some fundamental level, ALL of us have a little bit of that thinking error in our DNA.
It is how religions are formed. People are made to feel that they are chosen by God, identified as special, and that all they have to do is follow a certain series of special guidelines to earn a special reward, that is reserved for those deemed special enough to earn it.
In that case the "I am special" assertion is expanded to the "we are special" thinking error, and that is how those of various religions, all self identifying as "religions of peace," can murder each other with impunity.
After all they don't have to bother themselves with the laws of man, they are following a higher law.
A "special law."
Given to them by a special entity, who chose them, and helped them to see themselves as "special."
Imagine how much more peaceful our planet would be if we realized our reality.
That we are all the same. And in being the same we are ALL special enough to deserve love, special enough to give love, and special enough to live free of violence and strife, and instead to celebrate this moment when our matter came together to form us.
Just something to think about.
Lovely. So glad you posted this.
ReplyDeleteTexasMel
This is a concept that would be so foreign in the south they would think you are crazy....it would be beyond their comprehension period. We talk about this alot here, the importance of critical thinking is their only biggest enemy of the generations to come.
ReplyDeleteI am a Southerner. Born, reared and live here. This concept is NOT foreign to me nor to many that I know. My comprehension is far beyond your statement. Perhaps critical thinking not to mention construction of a valid sentence is your problem and you are projecting.
DeleteI am a Southerner. Born, reared and live in the South although I have lived in many other parts of the US. This concept is NOT beyond the comprehension of many Southerners. Some maybe but you can be sure it applies to people in many if not all parts of this country.
DeletePerhaps critical thinking as well as the construction of a meaningful sentence is your problem and you are projecting it on to others.
I've often thought the same of kids given participation trophies for losing in sports. Political correctness has given us "special," parents/teachers afraid to correct/discipline, etc. If we can't teach our children how to graciously accept defeat in life, how we expect them to get through it whole in spirit?
ReplyDelete+1000!!!
DeleteAgree wholeheartedly. 1000 plus, plus.
DeleteGryph, have you ever read Robert Pirsig's (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance) second book, Lila? Metaphysics of Quality theory about "static patterns of reality/" You'd like it.
ReplyDeletePoll: Americans Identifying As Liberal Reaches New High
ReplyDeleteThe percentage of Americans identifying as liberal ticked up to a new record high, according to a new poll released Friday.
The new Gallup poll found that 23 percent of Americans identify as liberals, the highest number since Gallup started asking the question in its current form in 1992.
That finding is still eclipsed by the percentage of Americans identify as conservative. The Gallup poll also found that 38 percent of Americans identify as conservative, down from in 2010 when 40 percent said they identify as conservative. Thirty-four percent of Americans identify as moderate, the poll also found.
Another recent Gallup report found that in 2013 a record low number of Americans identified as Republicans.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/poll-americans-identifying-as-liberal-reaches-new-high
So, IOW, our kids, for the last twenty or thirty years, have been indoctrinated by our school system to be mental patients. After all, that is one of the mantras they teach at school: "I am special"!
ReplyDeleteBREAKING: U.S. to Recognize Utah Gay Marriages Despite State Stance
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/11/us/politics/same-sex-marriage-utah.html?emc=edit_na_20140110&_r=0
A profound post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for giving us something we should all mull over, Gryphen.
Several SyFy programs debuting in January are "Lost Girl", "Being Human", and "Bitten". One of the characters in those shows says, "I don't follow YOUR rules".
ReplyDeleteThat seems to be a New Millennium maxim for everything from motor vehicle habits to hygiene and sex habits, and everything between.
Great post Gryphen, Thanks!
ReplyDeleteReminds me of a tee shirt my daughter had. "You're unique, just like everyone else!" Simple, yet deeply profound.
ReplyDelete