Independent Thinking

Considering that we regard ourselves as being highly civilized one must wonder why we increasingly seek the security brought forth by herd-like behavior.

Thoughtlessly, the ultimate herd animal would follow the leader over the edge of a cliff, reason being clouded by fear of being rejected by the flock. The security of the herd animal lies in its ability to hide in the masses and the hope of some weaker or less fortunate herd animal being picked by the wolf.

In modern society herd mentality can be found in our quest to assimilate elements commonly attributed to success and reject those of failure. It is no longer enough to be a "good christian" or a "thriving business man" or whatever. To become accepted by the herd one must combine a much more complex package of characteristics that relate to the particular trends of the particular point in time in question. If it is possible for the herd animal to project an image of success it might achieve such and perhaps even the candidacy to become a leader. The modern herd animal therefore spends much more energy managing its image than actually aquiring the skills which it assumes to have. Should it become a leader it would be politically compromised to really achieve anything worthwhile. Regardless of how well educated or how busy it appears to be the way a herd animal the nature of its thinking is not independent enough for it to be creative or have leadership skills.

One should think that all the excitement surrounding biographies originates from a desire to learn how the thoughts of an individual came to be or from the hope of being inspired to live a better life. However the motivation for aquiring this kind of knowledge is most often not to become wiser per se but to be able to refer to and follow parameters for success or to reject and keep at distance those attributes rejected by the herd.

Why do thoughts and ideas need to be certified by titles, recognition or fame? Why can't the meaning of words expressed be appeciated without spending tons of energy analyzing secondary motives or the profile of the person in question. This indicates that people are losing their faith in the truly mystical aspects of life and the idea that individuals can create something new, genuine, extraordinary, something greater than themselves.

In the last 20 years ideals have become increasingly tools just as religion can be it for politicians in certain countries. In a country as Denmark we are too enlightened to be caught by a singular religious perspective therefore we let us become bewildered by many. Just like politicians we walk clothed in patches of beliefs determined by what is individually politically advantageous in the current climate of the situation at hand.

The big difference between a citizen and a politician is the fact thathar det the politician is aware of this fact and the citizen isn't. The politician does not address this issue as the negative reaction from citizens would be proportionally negative to their sublimation of the fact that they have no real foundation.

This could be the primary reason for people being so damn busy, because when they have no base they have to keep on running and they spend much energy confusing themselves from the fact that they have nowhere to rest.

There is no reason to accuse the politicians for this as they in reality are mere reflections of the citizen themselves. The action of doing this is merely a defense mechanism disguising the uncertainty consuming the individual, the fact that social recognition is more important than the essense of what one is recognized for, that success is more important than balance. Politicians are more aware of this kind of self deception and even i they wish to inspire understanding they are also aware of the enormity of such a task.

In Denmark we are quite mindful of ecology in our food products and partly in our way of life. We have laws defining criterias for what is considered ecological based on science, defined by experts. We label our food and other products with labels saying "Certified as ecological by the state". I also consider this to be a truly positive change in the mentality of our time.

Another mental development taking place is that individuals are acting increasingly political on their own behalf. It is this herd mentallity is the fact if it wasn't yet culturally considered too distasteful for people to wear a badge stating "I am certified ecological by the state", some citizens might do it. It is not as important for these individuals to actually be this way or act in particular ways as it is important being seen and seen in the act. However when we reach the point where people actually do run around exposing themselves in this manner in greater numbers then some people would relate to another kind of "ecological certification of the state". Some people remember the hysteria created in the process of culturally reverting to a singular ideal of the human being, the only right way to be. More people recall the consequences of this. To point it out more clearly if people walked around in greater numbers with badges saying "I am certified ecological by the state" in this manner they might as well be wearing schwarzticas.

I'm just critisizing overly zealous exposure of one self. This should have a humble approach, especially in the context of truth.

It has always been my opinion that political tools should only be applied out of necessity. The need for distance and strategy regarding the inconsequential should be avoided and energy should be spent on evolving the ability to expend energy more ecologically across the board. This requires a respect for diversity and we cannot assume as the mere individual beings we are to know the universal truth that the simple or complex singular ideas presume. Politics should be about achieving consensus not enacting our will upon others.

Religions might be right and the faith of their followers too, but I have no personal knowledge of a truly enlightened individual although one such person or more might exist. I do not with this rule out the existence of singular ideas in general. I just state that individuals having another perspective will experience a sensation of lack of proof when these ideas are delivered to them. Other individuals might be prone to necessities in their existence that force them away from aknowledging the truth, even if authentic, and will become angry in the denial of the fact. History shows that certain universal beliefs have been proven wrong. And who knows? Maybe the world is flat and it's a great big conspiracy to prove it round.

Written 28th September 2009