Groupthink, No Think

Groupthink

Why think for yourself when someone else will be more than happy to do it for you?

Jesus said God’s kingdom belongs to a little flock.  He said the way to life is a narrow gate.  And there are only a few who find it.  But the ranks fan out on the road to destruction, like mobs of protestors burning and destroying on American streets.

Lemmings experience mass migrations.  But they are not “mindless” creatures that follow one another in hordes to their death.  In this respect, lemmings are more intelligent than humans.

Humans will follow one another, even if it is unwise or harmful.

How does this happen?

Groupthink.

There is an invisible “Brain Trust,” like the Wizard of Oz behind a curtain, directing the way we think.  This gives us time for more important things, like marching with signs.

So it’s not surprising if the people around us sound like they live in an echo chamber.  They all see things from the same point of view.  None of them would ever dream they were pawns.  Social “programmers” are very clever.  They want everyone to think they are thinking for themselves.  But few actually do.  Groupthink is generally no think.

Try looking at things in a different way.  A novel way.  It may not be as scary as you think.  Try swimming in the opposite direction your friends are swimming.  You may suddenly feel a sense of liberation and exhilaration you have never known!  Make your own discoveries!  You could write a blog from personal experience!  You could say something no one else around you has ever said!  It may be hard to imagine.  Believe me, there is a lot more to choose from if you look for material that is original.  The paint on Van Gogh’s canvas was much more interesting than the paint that prevailed on canvases around him.

Groupthink is not your friend.

Think about it.

Very few have anything truly creative or original to say, though they may put “creative” spins on things everyone else is saying.  Most people are parroting newspapers and magazines, TV news, “mainstream” political views, Hollywood, what the “scientific establishment” says, what mobs are shouting.  Add what you like.  Conformity is commendable.  And it generates rewards like popularity.  Whether you are right or wrong is incidental.

Doesn’t anyone get tired of hearing the same thing?  Where are the Jonathan Livingston Seagulls?

Who dares defy groupthink?

Mobs are a popular place to be today.  No surprise there.  That’s where it’s “happening.”  It’s no big deal if no one really knows what “it” is.  They carry menacing signs that reflect their own actions and the hate they despise in others.  They’re too busy shouting to hear anything anyone else is saying.  Either you conform to their viewpoint or expect to have your nose remodeled.  It’s the new face of democracy.

Imagine a Carnival celebration or a Mardi Gras, funded by left-wing fascists or Marxists, marching down your street and calling for revolution.  Take another look.  It’s not that far-fetched.  But they are unaware the enemy is them.  In true mob form, an alarming percentage of those packing signs is surprisingly “unenlightened” about facts that relate to the matter or person they are protesting (Acts 19:32; 21:39).  It seems very few can even give a logical explanation for why they are there.  It doesn’t matter.  Everyone else they know is doing it.

John Lennon’s words are appropriate.

You say you want a revolution
Well- you know, we all want to change the world
You tell me that it’s evolution
Well- you know, we all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don’t you know that you can count me out! 

You say you got a real solution
Well- you know, we’d all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well- you know, we’re all doing what we can
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell you is brother you’ll have to wait 

You say you’ll change the constitution
Well- you know, we’d all love to change your head
You tell me it’s the institution
Well- you know, you better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain’t gonna make it with anyone anyhow 

Don’t you know it’s gonna be- alright
Conforming can be a boring pastime.  A sign over your head can never make up for that.
Who wants to see the world as everyone else does?  What good is that?  You have your own eyes.  Why not use them?

Most people like to think they are different.  That they are one of a kind.  If you feel that way, doing what everyone else does is going to ruin your image.

Cast aside groupthink.  Follow another path.

Want to be truly different?  Follow Jesus Christ.  He is an authentic one of a kind.  Don’t worry if you notice there are only a few who are taking the trip with you.  It’s okay.  They won’t knock you down or shoot pepper spray in your face like your friends will do if you decide to spread your wings east while they are marching south.  Who needs someone like that to “like” them?  Might as well ask a crocodile to be your friend.

Learn more:

Women Preachers – A Biblical Response to the Foursquare Position. Part 1.

 

© James Unruh 2017 and beyond