The late beloved Senator from New York state, Patrick Moynihan, once observed: “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.” I once got into trouble when I used this as my thesis in disputing the writings of a local hero.
In some people’s minds it depends on just who is making up the facts.
The majority of the population of Europe in the 1400s was of a singular belief concerning the earth and the solar system. That is: all believed, or professed to believe, that the sun revolves around the earth, and the earth is a flat disk spinning like a top. There was no disputing this, because very few individuals had access to places of education or books of any kind, and also because this was the hard and fast belief and teaching of the church.
Fast forward to today. A recent poll is reported to show that one fifth of the population of the U.S. believes that Barack Obama is a Muslim and that he is not an American citizen.
Let’s just see if we can examine the two periods in time and find some parallels.
One thing we notice immediately is something referred to as crowd mentality. It is an osmosis of assumptions or beliefs - surrendering the will or ability of independent thinking to something akin to peer pressure.
It is far easier to accept the direction of a crowd than to reverse oneself against it. There is a suspension of reasoning.
Since so many are going in one direction, the direction must be correct. Unfortunately, however, we have the classic example of Lemmings whose mass migrations sometimes result in marching over a cliff.
A crowd effect is viral; at times, hysterical. It feeds upon itself and spreads through contact. As more and more individuals become members, a certain momentum begins to grow. When the lead Lemming reaches a cliff, it becomes impossible to relay the word back through the herd. Momentum is far too strong. “Lead On!’ cry the followers.
Another noticeable parallel is that of a common enemy.
During the period of The Inquisition in Europe, the Catholic Church held the greatest authority. This authority was absolute, its imprimatur gave sanction for entry into Heaven. Without it, one was condemned to eternal Hell. Satan was the universal enemy.
Only by following , perhaps believing, the teachings of the church was an individual safe from Satan’s clutches.
To disobey the church was not only courting eternal misery, it also brought about immediate physical discomfort. Heresy was punishable by many forms of torture, some so ghastly they have been forever banned.
There was good reason for following the crowd.
In the case of President Obama, his birth record is clear and verified by a vast cross-section of parties. Nor, is he a Muslim. Facts are facts.
But wishing facts to be other facts drives some individuals feverishly, and these individuals often are charismatic enough to strongly influence a crowd. Once the crowd creates momentum, truth becomes whatever its leaders say it is. And notice, challenging “authority” results in being ostracized. The Inquisition lives on to some degree.
There is a growing blight of false information being distributed over the Internet these days. It can be verified or disputed only if one is independent enough to demand truth.
Truth and common sense are a powerful deterrent to intentional skewing of facts. It requires investigation, however, and a willingness to doubt “crowd appeal” in favor of personal diligence and sense of honor.
Many times in history it has become necessary to defend Truth from its enemies of libel, rumor, lies and mongering. Once again, honorable people are called to battle.
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For some reason, the column was cut short. The following is the missing part:
In the case of President Obama, his birth record is clear and verified by a vast cross-section of parties. Nor, is he a Muslim. Facts are facts.
But wishing facts to be other facts drives some individuals feverishly, and these individuals often are charismatic enough to strongly influence a crowd. Once the crowd creates momentum, truth becomes whatever its leaders say it is. And notice, challenging
“authority” results in being ostracized. The Inquisition lives on to some degree.
There is a growing blight of false information being distributed over the Internet these days. It can be verified or disputed only if one is independent enough to demand truth.
Truth and common sense are a powerful deterrent to intentional skewing of facts. It requires investigation, however, and a willingness to doubt “crowd appeal” in favor of personal diligence and sense of honor.
Many times in history it has become necessary to defend Truth from its enemies of libel,
rumor, lies and mongering. Once again, honorable people are called to battle.
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