The Welding Shut of the American Mind
Epsilon Theory
September 21, 2020·32 comments·Politics
Good people are disappearing into closed systems of thought, but not because they're forced. The mechanism isn't external pressure. It's internal equilibrium, where indignation becomes the soul's defense against doubt. Once a mind accepts that only one object of criticism matters, that all other concerns are distractions, there's no going back without tearing everything down.
- A new form of intellectual capture is replacing old-fashioned censorship. It's not government suppression or obvious power plays. It's the creation of mental algorithms where any set of legitimate criticism must include one overriding object, making all other observations irrelevant by comparison.
- The mechanism weaponizes certainty about existential stakes. When you believe your cause is facing an existential threat, whether Trump's political power, racial injustice, or art's moral purpose, the syllogism becomes inescapable. Only your concern matters, all else is a distraction from the real battle.
- Institutions are locking this in by design. Elite universities narrowing what counts as legitimate scholarship. Award ceremonies creating mandatory frameworks for art. Each believes it's protecting something essential, not realizing it's closing doors that can't be reopened.
- The paradox is that this equilibrium is stable and self-reinforcing. Once someone has surrendered their autonomy to this algorithm, indignation itself becomes the barrier to escape. Doubt feels like betrayal. Self-reflection feels like weakness in the face of an enemy.
- The only escape route isn't institutional or political. It's personal. Friendships with people who will challenge your cherished ideas without threatening your moral worth. The vaccine isn't a new ideology but a practice of truth-seeking with people who respect your mind as an end in itself, not a means.
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Comments
I really appreciate this. It feels increasingly perilous to move about the world without the certainty and comfort provided by the Rhinocerus-mind. It often feels as if you are at a distinct disadvantage to those who have already succumbed/surrendered. As if you are adrift at sea, missing some crucial floatation device only offered to those prepared to sign up. I feel like there is a corollary to religion and evolutionary adaptation…but I am not sure I want to finish the thought. Thanks again.
But what about Fox News!!!
JK.
Those Bloom quotes, particularly the one on indignation, are phenomenal. Thanks for the reference pointer. That’s something I’ve been personally struggling with and trying to articulate for awhile now, and having a quote that pithy and concise will help my personal journey out immensely. Ordered a copy, can’t wait to find more.
Thanks Ben.
Whatabout! The problem of tribalism within the media echo chamber producing widespread erosion of faith in the rule of law itself and of faith in the fairness of the application of the rule of law.
Bothsidesism! Both sides are doing it, massively. Unfortunately everyone is out there ratcheting up the stakes naively believing they won’t fly too close to the sun.
Ergo: BITFD is underway. It was always burnin’ since the world’s been turnin’.
Excellent Ben, just excellent!
btw , what’s “JK”?
Thank you, Ben. This hit at the perfect time. Never in my life have I seen good people shapeshift in such quick and massive ways. One left leaning, highly educated friend who even as little as five months ago was struggling with me explaining BITFD due to his total inability to except his perception of the violent consequences is now giddy with the idea of a violent election season. My right leaning friends have gone full zombie “Trump only answer.”
My wife is Hispanic and when I’m with her family I want nothing more than to speak with them but I can’t. My Spanish is negligible, and I can only pick up on root words. It’s the closest comparison I’ve experienced to what we have now. It’s as if I no longer speak the language. I’m not in the same reality almost. The Tower of Babel: Black Mirror Edition. As usual I’m too stubborn to give up. Imma keep trying to love on those who can accept it. It’s the only option. That and to seek truth. I tattooed those words on my arms when I was in my early 20’s. I’m not changing course now.
All my best to each of you.
Just kidding!
Bravo! May we all find a community in search of the Truth. Yes, of course, ET is one, but to have face-to-face friendships oriented around a love of truth has become rare.
JK = Just Kidding
thx Ben & Mike … guess it helps to have a sense of humour
Just watched The Social Dilemma on Netflix. Smart phones = blowtorches? Technology delivering us news and stories based on our previously collected data, the continuous nudge. Thank you ET.
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