“In reading The History of Nations, we find that, like individuals, they have their whims and their peculiarities, their seasons of excitement and recklessness, when they care not what they do. We find that whole communities suddenly fix their minds upon one object and go mad in its pursuit; that millions of people become simultaneously impressed with one delusion, and run after it, till their attention is caught by some new folly more captivating than the first.”
Charles Mackay, Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds
Last night I took my children to a lecture on the Salem Witch Trials. The female professor who gave the talk had an interesting twist- what do we know versus what we think we know and is history even knowable. Like it didn’t happen in Salem, but in Danvers. That was news to me.
I took them because I wanted them to understand that human behavior doesn’t change, only the things people choose to focus their hysterical and irrational behavior upon.
I tell my children that the way they treat individuals and the way they treat collectives must be different. Mobs are far more dangerous than one person. Although I hope it never happens, the day may come when that knowledge may save their lives.
Yes a ten round clip is all you need for individuals. Unfortunately teaching them how to shoot, or run like hell, might be just as important in saving their lives. This world is getting ugly.
Pet rocks and Hula Hoops.