Thank you so much for writing this. You can't imagine how persuasive the position you capture with the quote "After all, these people signed up to follow all kinds of orders that would put them in harm’s way. Risk is part of the deal, and that includes risking both life and limb" really is within the organization. That assumption is baked into the prevailing culture. It is easy to argue against, and when confronted with such arguments people back down quickly, but most people don't even try. I got started on this journey when my unit published an article for discussion on how those refusing the COVID jab were greater threats to the organization than sexual harassment and suicide. While I never said it explicitly, I'll say it here: The only logical inference I can make is that someone agreeing with that statement believes the military would be better off if all of the unvaccinated simply took their own lives. I knew at that point that this was the hill as I understood that many of those on the other side of this aren't merely well-intentioned and misinformed, but actively malicious towards the principles outlined in the document we all took an oath to. I feel blessed that I encountered you on the path and look forward to working with you to forestall the darkest contingencies that are only promised should we fail to act.
You're welcome, man. I imagined this rationale was probably what people inside the culture were clinging to, and wondered how much of that was due to the motivated reasoning factor you discussed on DH. I think I've seen the same psychological ploy play out in other industries and structures, whereupon the mind defends its past (poor) decisions ever more fervently, in order to crush any misgivings or fears that quietly haunt it.
This is when things get so incredibly dangerous for society at large; This form of error-bolstering, endlessly plastic and revisionist mindset leans heavily towards a psychotic break with reality (e.g. "I *always* knew the vaccines wouldn't prevent infection or transmission, and it was *always* sold that way, and Oceania has *always* been at war with Eastasia"). The brain can only perform so many gymnastics before it surrenders. And the kinds of people and organizations it may surrender itself to are fucking horrifying. For example, the kinds who imply that you'd be better off committing suicide than submitting to experiments.
But I admire your tact and grace under fire, and I will try to emulate it the best I can. I will... likely fail, in most cases. But thanks for showcasing a better model.
I don't know if its better/more effective, I've just found that I get burnt out rather rapidly if I let myself get too angry/indignant. I try to remember almost everyone in human history has had it way worse, and that if I personally want to do anything about what I perceive to be so... wrong, I know I have to channel these peeves into purposeful action. I don't always succeed mind you!
You are precisely right The current general class and civilian leadership appear to have a death wish for our country and its military, and they appear to be willing to lie, cheat, and steal without compunction to destroy anyone who doesn't share that death wish. Your substack is a great one for analyzing this phenomena, since it maps onto the spiritual forces of depravity and pathocracy you've been exploring in your "devil incarnate" series. Theirs is a raw and unrepentant evil that resists mere biological or material explanations; some demonic spiritual power is at the root of it.
"Theirs is a raw and unrepentant evil that resists mere biological or material explanations; some demonic spiritual power is at the root of it."
I agree. Grant doesn't, but that's okay too. As usual, it will take a ragtag motley crew to defeat the bad guys, from whichever perspective we see them.
Thank you so much for writing this. You can't imagine how persuasive the position you capture with the quote "After all, these people signed up to follow all kinds of orders that would put them in harm’s way. Risk is part of the deal, and that includes risking both life and limb" really is within the organization. That assumption is baked into the prevailing culture. It is easy to argue against, and when confronted with such arguments people back down quickly, but most people don't even try. I got started on this journey when my unit published an article for discussion on how those refusing the COVID jab were greater threats to the organization than sexual harassment and suicide. While I never said it explicitly, I'll say it here: The only logical inference I can make is that someone agreeing with that statement believes the military would be better off if all of the unvaccinated simply took their own lives. I knew at that point that this was the hill as I understood that many of those on the other side of this aren't merely well-intentioned and misinformed, but actively malicious towards the principles outlined in the document we all took an oath to. I feel blessed that I encountered you on the path and look forward to working with you to forestall the darkest contingencies that are only promised should we fail to act.
You're welcome, man. I imagined this rationale was probably what people inside the culture were clinging to, and wondered how much of that was due to the motivated reasoning factor you discussed on DH. I think I've seen the same psychological ploy play out in other industries and structures, whereupon the mind defends its past (poor) decisions ever more fervently, in order to crush any misgivings or fears that quietly haunt it.
This is when things get so incredibly dangerous for society at large; This form of error-bolstering, endlessly plastic and revisionist mindset leans heavily towards a psychotic break with reality (e.g. "I *always* knew the vaccines wouldn't prevent infection or transmission, and it was *always* sold that way, and Oceania has *always* been at war with Eastasia"). The brain can only perform so many gymnastics before it surrenders. And the kinds of people and organizations it may surrender itself to are fucking horrifying. For example, the kinds who imply that you'd be better off committing suicide than submitting to experiments.
But I admire your tact and grace under fire, and I will try to emulate it the best I can. I will... likely fail, in most cases. But thanks for showcasing a better model.
I don't know if its better/more effective, I've just found that I get burnt out rather rapidly if I let myself get too angry/indignant. I try to remember almost everyone in human history has had it way worse, and that if I personally want to do anything about what I perceive to be so... wrong, I know I have to channel these peeves into purposeful action. I don't always succeed mind you!
You are precisely right The current general class and civilian leadership appear to have a death wish for our country and its military, and they appear to be willing to lie, cheat, and steal without compunction to destroy anyone who doesn't share that death wish. Your substack is a great one for analyzing this phenomena, since it maps onto the spiritual forces of depravity and pathocracy you've been exploring in your "devil incarnate" series. Theirs is a raw and unrepentant evil that resists mere biological or material explanations; some demonic spiritual power is at the root of it.
"Theirs is a raw and unrepentant evil that resists mere biological or material explanations; some demonic spiritual power is at the root of it."
I agree. Grant doesn't, but that's okay too. As usual, it will take a ragtag motley crew to defeat the bad guys, from whichever perspective we see them.