Paranoia Strikes Deep

Of course, this line is from the big 60s hit by Buffalo Springfield that evokes the atmosphere of that era of street protests. 

In the aftermath of the Orlando massacre, paranoia has taken over. Facebook is full of horrifying accusations, with every political faction trying to pin the blame on their opponents.

The need for a scapegoat seems so deeply embedded in the human psyche.

I wish I had answers, but I don't.

Part of the explanation for the paranoia that took over the anti-war movement in the 60s was that so many people were experimenting with acid and sex. LSD produces good and bad outcomes. Those outcomes are dependent to a great degree on the psychological stability of the user. Sexual experimentation also provokes deep seated fears.

I speak from experience.

The rebellion against authority and patriarchy in the 60s also left people feeling adrift in a sea of random waves. There were no longer any rules or loyalties. 

That rebellion against tradition, order, morality and authority continues to this day. In fact, rebellion has become a mass movement, a brand. Woodstock is the dominant symbol of that brand.

On the left, the paranoia over sexual identity drives people to wild extremes. The shame that people feel for their perversions and experimentation must be somebody's fault. That that shame might originate within the individual because of what he is doing seems unacceptable.

This sexual paranoia provokes bitter hatred. In Woodstock, it is an article of faith that the rubes out in the styx want to kill the perverts and homosexuals. I grew up in small town Republican Illinois and I can attest that that is nonsense. Nobody cares that much.

My life is very peaceful. I'm out here at the end of a dirt road in the forest in the Catskill Mountains. Should I even care about this outburst of paranoia and hatred? I'm retired and out of the fight of life. Should I just ignore the madness?

Myrna believed, correctly I think, that humans become consumed by bloodlust during times of peace. Peace equals boredom. The desire to blow things to hell begins to creep into our consciousness, particularly among the young who lust for action. The desire for revenge against our enemies begins to consume us.

Is the internet a global single consciousness?

If so, that single consciousness is infected with madness and bloodlust, the desire for revenge and paranoid hatred of imagined and real enemies.

Comments

[Dad Bones]

Myrna believed, correctly I think, that humans become consumed by bloodlust during times of peace.

She's probably right.

Where I live is known as the conservative corner of Iowa and I saw two old white guys intimately hugging in front of Menards the other day. It's also become commonplace to see male couples shopping together in grocery stores here. Like you said, nobody really cares that much.