(10 minute read)

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The Proposition

“The unexamined life is not worth living,” i.e., know thyself.

–Socrates (Translation: Systematically living under the rules of others without questioning their expectations nor knowing what is and isn’t best for you leads to living a life …poorly)

Despite all of the progress that has come, people are less happy about the state of affairs than they were when things were way tougher and there is a very simple explanation as to why that is.

The world is not driven by greed, it is driven by envy.

The fact that [the majority of people] are five times better off then they used to be they take it for granted. All they can think about is somebody else has more now and that it isn’t fair.

– Charles Munger, Vice Chairman, Berkshire Hathaway, CNBC, Dec 11, 2022

Empowerment is probably the most important word you should consider today. From this day forward think read the headlines and notice how much it is evident. Empowerment is the hidden motivator behind most actions of human beings. Empowerment is the personal, intense, and internal sense an individual feels in order to accomplish something.

And we either have it or we don’t.

In terms of socio-economic empowerment, for the marginalized, disenfranchised, or minority, the sense of personal empowerment is almost nonexistent. This leaves them with little hope of change or improving their own lives and the lives of others. The know the system is rigged against them.

For the wealthy and elite the sense of empowerment is what fuels their sense of entitlement. The system is rigged for them. In terms of political empowerment, there is a segment of American political society that feels a surge of empowerment. Meanwhile, another segment helplessly watches theirs slip away.

The intoxicating but fleeting power of politics has always been a part of American history. There have always been winners and losers. Political winners exalt in their win. Political losers lick their wounds and plot their next skirmish for the next series of votes.

In America there has always been competing visions of American democracy. Yet, we have never been in doubt about the future of our democratic system. Until now. We are not now the country we once were. We are not the country we should be. Meanwhile, the other half of the electorate is taking a victory lap. They are demanding respect and rubbing it in. They say ‘lib tears, let them flow,’ and chant ‘your body, my choice.’

It’s easy for someone like myself to argue against divisive behavior. Probably millions of others feel the same way. Many feel no affiliation to a political party. They sense no empowerment from any of the ideologies.

To be clear, this election was about one side blatantly attacking the institutions of democracy. The other side claimed to preserve it. The choice was easy for this political cycle. An inanimate chunk of metal would have been a much more obvious choice than a wannabe authoritarian on day one.

By a mere 1.5% more votes an electorate chose the authoritarian (more people voted against Trump than voted for him). Their choice was more likely because it gave them a sense of empowerment. They rejected an entitled and elite class for something more profane and classless.

So, here is what I propose.

Those that feel greatly empowered by the win of this last election wouldn’t spend five minutes here. If they did, they stopped reading this column a long time ago. Those of you left I assume you are not of that ilk. Your curiosity and willingness to make sense of the world in which you are living has won out.

And it is you that I am thinking of as we go forward. So, I ask, what do we do?

There are hoards of our fellow citizens, neighbors, friends, and family that make decisions based on feelings. They ignore facts during any critical thinking process. What do we do when we know those decisions not only go against our best interests but theirs as well?

Increase efforts to educate them? Present the facts clearly? Strengthen attempts to convince them? Highlight their errors by providing more facts and figures until they understand. etc. Except if they haven’t got it by now the question is will they ever?

You might think a greater effort would work. However, they aren’t using the same mental processes that the rest of us used. Trying to convince them through logic would be fruitless. They have abandoned logic for the more immediate gratification of using their emotions to make their decisions.

One reason they do this is because to think through these things is hard. Decisions based on feelings is much easier and doesn’t demand as much rigor. “I know it is right because I feel it is right.”

Business, industry, Wall Street, politicians, sports franchises, fast food restaurants, etc., have all learned you don’t do business by grabbing the customer by the head. You do business by grabbing them by the heart. How does it feel to buy a product, buy into an ideology, philosophy, or way of living? That’s the real secret to persuasion.

That laundry detergent isn’t necessarily going to make your whites whiter. All detergents are pretty much the same. But by using a particular brand, we will feel confident and assured. We experience a sense of satisfaction by providing the “best” for our family! How does that make a mom or dad feel purchasing the right soap? is THE question soap makers ask.

That car commercial you’re looking at doesn’t run down all the technical aspects of the auto they are selling. But it does attempt to convey the feeling of being behind the wheel. It aims to capture the experience and feeling of driving and owning their car. All based on emotion, facts be damned.

“It would be ideal if all of us could make up our minds independently by evaluating all pertinent facts objectively. That, however, is not possible.”

–Edward Bernays, The Engineering of Consent, 1957

Edward Bernays, a nephew of the renowned psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, is considered the “Father of Modern Public Relations.” He was all too happy to slap this moniker on himself. He happened to outlive his contemporaries. The self-title exhibited the epitome of public relations hype and academics are all too happy to use it.

In his later years, Bernays wrote and talked about his formula for the practice of successful public relations. He used the writings of his uncle and believed that the American public could be controlled by manipulating their emotions. He thought emotions were more effective to communicate to groups of people than using reason.

Freud wrote about the psychology of crowds. He believed that humans were not rational beings. Instead, they were driven by irrational drives hidden deep within their unconscious minds. In other words, people were motivated by their emotions than their intellect.

Bernays locked onto his uncle’s writings and sold it to Madison Avenue and politicians. The principles of Bernays’ propaganda and promotion have been studied for decades. One could use his principle and examine this past election cycle. It clearly showed how feelings ruled the day. Reasoning was sorely lacking in the electorate.

What To Do?

I wrote about the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and his “book” Meditations in an earlier post. The Meditations are Aurelius’ personal journal and was never intended to be published. Scholars think he used the opportunity to write down his thoughts as a reminder. It helped him keep his focus on the things he thought were important in life.

It is interesting to note that he wrote these things not when he was at the leisure of his life. Instead. he was writing when his empire was in grave danger. Ravaged by a plague, killing 10 million Roman subjects (compared to Covid19’s 7 million people worldwide). As if that wasn’t enough to rock anyone’s foundation, he faced even more challenges. He had to fend off a coup by one of his trusted generals. Meanwhile, the Roman Empire was crumbling into decline.

It is in the midst of all this political and social turmoil he is writing …don’t let this dissuade you …don’t lose focus …continue to stay human …don’t lose your compassion for others …do what is right …be just, fair and, above all …don’t let the mayhem happening in the world infect your well being.

…don’t let your mind suffer, be distracted, or tossed to and fro …for whatever it is that taunts you will not be there forever.

–Mediations, First Book, 16

…no matter what anyone says or does, my task is to be good …no matter what anyone says or does, my task is to be emerald [in a world of dung].

–Mediations, Seventh Book,15

Aurelius spends no energy on the tactics needed to change the world. Instead, he focuses on personal principles that assure an evenness of emotion through the worst of times.

Half the world seems to be losing its grip on reality right now. What could you and I possibly do about it?

The first thing we can do is to practice living a life as Marcus Aurelius attempted. During his darkest hours he wrote …don’t let the mayhem happening in the world infect your well being.

Many people lived before us. They went through horrible times with events happening around them. They had very little power to do anything about it …and they lived to tell the tale.

And you and I can too.

If the world is going to hell in a hand basket, you don’t have to. If that social media post by a family member disgusts you, don’t return disgusting for disgusting. We don’t ignore injustice, we just don’t allow them to make us return hate for hate.

Don’t apologize for standing up for those most vulnerable in our society and are unable to stand up for themselves.

Do not apologize for standing up and opposing those who hate. Believe that we can be a better people by treating each other with the decency deserved.

Do not be in despair. Do not get distracted by all of the hate. Be a gem in a world of dung. Stay focused on being your best self. Let no one dissuade you from learning and treating others decently. When cruelty and hatred become acceptable, see it as an opportunity to stand against it. Stand for justice and love.

In one respect humans are my proper occupation. 

When people do things contrary to that occupation I will give them little attention. They are no less than the sun, or wind, or a wild beast. 

But I will not allow them to affect my disposition, which I only have the power to change.

And so that which is a hindrance or an obstacle to my journey only helps me to be more resolved to continue and reach the finish line

–Marcus Aurelius, Meditations Book 5, 20.

That neighbor flying the political flag is an opportunity to practice virtue. The family member now feeling emboldened by a political victory offers another chance. The angry social media posts provides chances to stand firm to your principles. They allow you to show courage by exhibiting fairness and justice. Control your emotions when everyone else around you seems to be losing their shit.

Is this easy to do? Of course not. We can’t control others, media companies, or political parties. We can only control our responses to them.

The world may be going to hell in a hand basket, but our job is not to go with it. Our occupation is staunchly being there for the people who cannot help themselves. They want us here. To be sane in an insane world.