It is in human genes to follow their group in the same way that zebras follow their herd. Just as they have the advantage of being far less likely to be eaten by lions than those that go it alone, this also had benefits for humans.
The most important benefit was that greater cohesion helped with group hunting and, above all, later, when population density increased and per capita resources consequently decreased, it allowed for collective attacks on other tribes to steal their resources and women. Those who successfully did so left more genes, as they survived more and, above all, violated much more, year after year, century after century, millennium after millennium, so it is not surprising that the follower spirit is so widespread.
However, it has the drawback that if the herd commits abuses or even atrocities, the sheep mentality gene drives us to participate in them, as “where the people go, Vicente goes,” no matter where. Therefore, unconditional followership can be enormously harmful and ultimately cause everyone to lose, as has constantly happened throughout history.
Since it is not necessary to steal resources from others if we generate them through our own effort and avoid excessive overpopulation, toxic sheep mentality has many more disadvantages than advantages.
Read LET’S NOT STEAL!: Let’s Generate
LET’S NOT STEAL!: Let’s Obtain Wealth Honestly
It often entails a mediocre established order with a multitude of absurd rules, especially unwritten ones, while the basics (not harming others) are not fulfilled. Therefore, the more sheep-like and narrow-minded we are, the more we tend to judge unfairly over trivialities, such as clothing style, but fail to condemn injustices, even when they are atrocious.
Since we are not determined by our DNA, let’s move towards a selective herd mentality where we follow the group in what is good (or even neutral, for those who wish), but not in abuses and evil deeds. This requires developing the capacity to question the established order.
Read more about questioning in Milene’s Secret, Zan’s Stories and The Techniques of Personal Well-being.
Because one thing is the ability to thoroughly learn the doctrine of the collective to which we belong, and quite another is to discern to what extent that dogmatic corpus is correct, just, and appropriate. Therefore, to stop being a mere doctrine-swallower, it is necessary to develop rationality and critical thinking.
LIVE WITHOUT HARMING: Let’s Think for Ourselves and Say No to Toxic Indoctrination
HOW TO LIVE WITHOUT HARMING? Let’s Be Rational
We tend to grant authority to the tribe, to turn it into a compass, but this is a great mistake, as most of it is composed of people with average to low levels of intelligence and knowledge, average to low ethical standards, and an average to low level of orientation towards excellence. And what is worse: possibly among the political and religious leaders of the herd, the percentages of mediocrity are even higher. The reason is that to ascend within political parties and religious organizations, a submissive, follower, sycophantic, subservient, and even henchman-like spirit is often required. In some places, like Sweden, this is not usually the case, but in most countries, it is.
Let’s not give authority to the group or follow it blindly, wherever it goes, as the children did with the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Instead, let’s do something to guide it towards improvement and even excellence. And let’s convince more people to do the same.
LET’S BUILD A BETTER WORLD!: Let’s strive for excellence to achieve it
The crowd does not deserve credibility, because it has too often proven to lack common sense. For example, it was enthusiastic about the outbreak of the First World War, gathering in squares to joyfully acclaim the start of the conflict, especially in Germany and Russia. After a few years, it grew tired after so many dead (20 million) and wounded (21 million), destruction, poverty, and having to go hungry, realizing it had been a mistake.
Can you believe it learned its lesson? NOOO!!, because after only two decades, the same generations started a Second World War, with even more dead (70-85 million), suffering, and devastation. It seems unbelievable, but unfortunately, it is true. The reason is that human societies are often deranged, harmful both to others and to themselves, and mentally limited, as one must be truly stupid to hit the same enormous stone twice in such a short time.
There are people who believe that one must fit into society like a puzzle piece and do what others do as mere clones, limiting ourselves to obeying community rules. They even feel that one of the worst things that can happen to someone is to be rejected by the clan for being a lone wolf, for not adapting to the culture in which they live.
But if we all functioned that way, remaining silent to be accepted and adopting a submissive attitude of cultural relativism, we would live not in the semi-dump we currently inhabit, but in an authentic landfill, since no one would have bothered to clean it up. If there hadn’t been rebellious people who said, “NO! This rule or this practice is not fair and therefore must be changed, because it is causing harm to innocent people!” we would still be living in the Middle Ages or even in more backward and barbaric stages.
FOR A WORLD WITHOUT HARM: Let’s Be Fair
On the contrary, it is when some free thinkers try to convince others to abolish abuses that a healthier and more nourishing culture is built. This is how societies have evolved over the last centuries. Because they can (and should?) be improved. And for that, it is necessary to have nonconformists who, instead of following the herd, strive to lead it to better pastures.
LET’S BUILD A BETTER WORLD!: Let’s Reform Society
Let’s not be so “trendy,” but rather more “cool.” Let’s not be so bound by our place and time, but rather rise above it, being more timeless and universal. That is, let’s be guided by what our rationality and our innate sense of ethics dictate, which tells us that it is not right to harm anyone except in legitimate self-defense against an aggressor.
Thank you for sharing if you believe these ideas will contribute to a more evolved and just society.
Xavier Paya
Live Without Harming initiative
LET’S NOT HARM ANYONE, except in legitimate self-defense against an aggressor.
With the Live Without Harming initiative, we strive to prevent any kind of suffering or harm from being inflicted upon you, your loved ones, and others.
1 Mission: A happier world
3 Goals:
1. Share scientific knowledge about wellbeing.
2. Encourage people not to cause harm.
3. Promote scientific research on quality of life.
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