[Neurons] 2021 Neurons #61 WE NEED "THOUGHT POLICE"

[Michael Hall]

From: L. Michael Hall

2021 Neurons #61

September 10, 2021

How Self-Actualization                               

Can Save Politics #13

 

WE NEED "THOUGHT POLICE"

 

Here's a bad idea politically.  Actually it is a rotten idea due to the
consequences that follow.  "We need thought police to make sure that
mis-information isn't presented in the media."  This is what's happening now
with big Tech - Facebook, Twitter, Google, Apple etc. are all acting as if
they were the thought police and shutting down anyone (mostly conservatives)
who hold an opinion that differs from their's.

 

Many social commentators have labeled this "cancel culture."  If those in
control of the media don't like your opinion, they cancel you.  And we now
have had a great many people "cancelled" for this reason.  They say
something that is not "politically correct."  They associate with someone or
something that is not "politically correct."  Then the next thing- they are
cancelled.  [Ironically, while they do this, Twitter continues to allow the
Taliban while forbidding the former President of the United States!]

 

Now who would think this is a good idea?  What kind of persons would like
this?  Ah, yes, those who fear that their ideas will not hold up in the
marketplace of ideas.   Those who are afraid that they could not compete,
that their arguments would not stand up in the face of public scrutiny.
It's the insecure and the poor thinkers who want everyone and any one who
disagrees with them to be shut down.   They don't want open debate of
opinion, they just want one opinion- theirs.  So they call for the thought
police to shut them down.

 

Anyone who is a clear and critical thinker would find this not only
appalling, but a form of pathology in a culture.  Healthy cultures not only
want diversity of ideas and opinions, but thrive with that diversity and
debate.  Healthy cultures not only can handle them, but value them.  They
know that this is how knowledge grows and is refined.   Conversely,
unhealthy cultures (whether it is a nation or a local business) cannot
handle such diversity and so seeks to shut conversation down.  We see this
on college and university campuses all around the country who prevent
conservative speakers from speaking.  They operate as thought police trying
to protect someone from being offended or having their sensitivities exposed
to a different idea.

 

One thing that would solve this problem is the application of the basic
ethical principle of "Do unto others what you would have them do until you."
If I would not want to be shut down and prevented from having a voice, I
should not do that to others.  An even more powerful principle would be one
of respect for people and belief in truth to handle the light of scrutiny.
Encouraging vigorous debates, and not shutting people down, reflects a deep
respect that people can and will come to mutual understandings, maybe not
agreement, when we can talk things out in a context of respect.

Any coordinated movement to silence an opinion, espeically a minority
opinion, is a form of oppression and goes against the basic scientific
mindset.  The idea of "political correctness" is a form of groupthink and,
to that extent, is unhealthy.  To try to control what people think and say,
to forbid open debate or vigorous disagreement is a form of Orwellian
authoritarian government control.   It threatens the basic human freedoms.
When people start doing that they they also learn other forms of
manipulative thinking and speaking: hedging in their statements, speaking in
vague terms, using doublespeak, etc.

 

When would I need thought police?  Only when I don't trust you and your
thinking to think things through.  Only when I doubt that you can develop
and use critical thinking skills and the scientific model.  Or, only when I
have such a need to control that I "need" you to think what's right, that
is, think as I think!

 

The best control for thoughts, especially those which ae false, weak,
uninformed, wild, crazy, etc. is open debate.  Transparency and debate is
what enables us to refine our thinking.  Open, respectful feedback, not
name-calling, insults, or manipulations, enables us to separate the chaft
from the kernal.

 

If you just absolutely want the "thought police," then police your own
thoughts.  Step back to a meta-position and evaluate your own thinking in
terms of accuracy, ecology, and clarity.  Then for any and all cognitive
distortions, biases, and fallacies- arrest them.  Send them to jail so that
you reduce their influence on your thinking.  

 

 

 

 

 

L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.

Executive Director, Neuro-Semantics

P.O. Box 8

Clifton CO. 81520 USA

www.neurosemantics.com 

 

To unsubscribe to Neurons, send request to meta at acsol.net 

Executive Thinking is clear and accurate thinking--- the basis for critical
and creative thinking.

 



 

 

 

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