How The Few Control The Many

A fascinating video using the experiments of G.R. Stephenson and Wolfgang Kohler as a basis for social observations of the human condition.  Skeptics have in the past attempted to derail this message by asserting that the story does not exactly match the conditions of the real-life experiments.  They have missed the point entirely.  Stephenson’s experiments in particular were about fear conditioning, and using said conditioning to affect the behavior of a group.  Monkeys exposed to fear training imposed that atmosphere on newcomers to the group (though they did not necessarily “beat up” the new monkeys).  The point remains the same.  Monkey’s (like people) socially subdue each other out of personal fear, and this fear can be taught to them without them ever knowing the specific source.  Think about the inherent fear Americans have when it comes to challenging the status quo.  Think about how nervous and wishy-washy many people become when confronted with the idea of taking responsibility for their own futures rather than sitting around waiting for government to do it for them.  Many have never tried for that banana, and have no concept of what the consequences might be if they do, and yet, they are deathly afraid to even test the waters.  But, where does that fear come from?  Are they afraid of the government?  Or, are they afraid of going against what they assume are the wishes and ideals of the “mainstream”?  The truth is, tyrannies can only take power when the masses are convinced to self censor, and, to police each other…