Humanity is in a Slow Moving Coup Toward Totalitarianism.
If you study the beginnings of WW1, WW2 and even the Vietnam Conflict, you will quickly discern that all three of those wars happened within a single generational lifespan of 70 years, and they started with issues surrounding Bolsheviks and Communism.
The Chinese referred to Communism as 'Wash Brain.' In the states we call it Brainwashing. We know, you cannot present Communism outright, up front. As an introductory offer, you have to present Marxism to a gullible populace. Because it does something quite clever. It tickles the 'everything is unfair' button in your victim mindset. It also helps raging, pseudo, moral egalitarian, narcissists pretend to be superior with manufactured outrage, faux activism and virtue signaling.
Brainwashing reduces its subject's ability to think critically or independently, to allow the introduction of new, unwanted thoughts and ideas into their minds, as well as to change their attitudes, values, and beliefs. It takes advantage and manipulates with mass psychogenic illness and normative group think.
So before we talk about the main course, Communism, let's address the appetizer — Marxism. Marxism is not a rational solution to societal problems because it's fundamentally flawed both in its theoretical foundations and practical outcomes. From a democratic Western perspective, Marxism is a precursor to Communism, which inherently repressive and incompatible with the principles of democracy and individual freedom. Here’s an overview of the main objections to Marxism:
Economic Determinism and Reductionism
Marxism is overly deterministic, reducing all social and political phenomena to economic factors and class struggle. This ignores the complexities of human societies, such as culture, religion, and individual agency. This reductionist view is seen as overly simplistic and unable to account for the diversity of human experiences and motivations.
Class Struggle and Social Division
The Marxist focus on class struggle is often criticized for promoting social division rather than unity. By framing society as a battleground between the proletariat (working class) and the bourgeoisie (capitalist class), Marxism encourages conflict and resentment, undermining social cohesion. This antagonistic view is seen as destabilizing and potentially leading to violence, rather than fostering constructive social change. The funny thing is the people who get trained to do this stuff socially are mostly privileged rich kids.
Lack of Individual Rights and Freedoms
In the United States, we emphasize individual rights and personal freedoms as foundational to a just society. Marxism, has its emphasis on collective ownership and state control, subordinates the rights of individuals to the needs of the collective. This is THE pathway to authoritarianism, where the state suppresses individual liberties in the name of the greater good. The experience of Communist regimes, which have often led to totalitarian governments, is cited as evidence of this danger.
Historical Failures of Communist States
Look at the historical outcomes of Marxist-inspired Communist states, such as the Soviet Union, Maoist China, and others, which have often resulted in economic inefficiency, political repression, and widespread human rights abuses. These outcomes are used to argue that Marxism, in practice, leads to the concentration of power in the hands of a few, the erosion of democratic processes, and the suppression of dissent. The failures of these regimes are seen as inherent to the Marxist system, rather than as aberrations.
Utopian Vision and Unrealistic Assumptions
Marxism is presented as utopian, and its vision of a classless society is unrealistic and unattainable. Marxism underestimates the complexities of human nature, including the roles of ambition, greed, and competition, which they believe are inherent to all societies. The belief that these aspects of human behavior can be eradicated through social engineering is seen as naive and dangerous, leading to authoritarian measures in an attempt to enforce equality.
Economic Inefficiency and Lack of Innovation
From an economic perspective, Marxism stifles innovation and efficiency by removing the incentives that drive individuals and businesses in a market economy. Without the profit motive, they argue, there is less reason for individuals to innovate, work hard, or take risks. This, they suggest, leads to economic stagnation, inefficiency, and a lower standard of living, as has been seen in many Communist states where central planning replaced market mechanisms. Guess what's happening in the EU RIGHT NOW? Especially the Northern UK.
Threat to Democracy
Marxism inherently leads to the erosion of democratic principles. Since Marxism advocates for the abolition of private property and the centralization of power in the hands of the state or the collective, it is seen as incompatible with the pluralism and individual freedoms that are central to democratic governance. The concern is that Marxism, by prioritizing collective ownership and control, ultimately leads to a form of dictatorship of the proletariat, where democratic institutions are dismantled in favor of authoritarian rule.
Moral and Ethical Concerns
Marxism justifies the use of force, repression, and even violence to achieve its goals. The idea of a revolution to overthrow the existing order is seen as inherently violent and destabilizing, leading to widespread suffering and the loss of life. Moreover, the suppression of dissent in Communist states is often cited as evidence that Marxism cannot coexist with ethical governance.
Marxism is not a rational solution because it oversimplifies complex social realities, leads to economic inefficiencies, and ultimately undermines individual freedoms and democratic governance. Marxism as a precursor to Communism, is historically and inherently repressive, incompatible with the values of democracy, and dangerous in its application.
Enter The Gulag Archipelago
In my opinion, The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is a monumental literary work of historical and moral significance, chronicling the brutal realities of the Soviet Union's forced labor camp system, known as the Gulag. Through this harrowing three-volume masterpiece, Solzhenitsyn exposes the atrocities committed under the Communist regime, drawing from his own experiences as a prisoner and the testimonies of hundreds of others who suffered in the camps.
Published in the West in 1973, The Gulag Archipelago quickly became one of the most influential books of the 20th century. Its meticulous documentation of the horrors of the Soviet system shattered the idealized image of Communism held by many in the West and revealed the regime’s true nature. The book is not just a historical account; it is a profound moral and philosophical meditation on the nature of totalitarianism, the corruption of power, and the resilience of the human spirit.
“In keeping silent about evil, in burying it so deep within us that no sign of it appears on the surface, we are implanting it, and it will rise up a thousandfold in the future.”
Important Lessons from "The Gulag Archipelago"
Dangers of Totalitarianism: One of the central themes of Solzhenitsyn's work is the inherent danger of totalitarianism. The Soviet state, under the guise of building a utopian society, exerted total control over every aspect of life, stripping individuals of their rights and subjecting them to arbitrary arrests, torture, and execution. The book serves as a chilling reminder of how unchecked state power can lead to unimaginable suffering and the systematic destruction of human dignity.
Fragility of Truth: Solzhenitsyn emphasizes how truth becomes the first casualty in a totalitarian regime. The Soviet Union’s propaganda machine rewrote history, manipulated information, and enforced ideological conformity, suppressing dissent and perpetuating lies. In such an environment, the concept of truth becomes fragile, and the ability to speak it becomes an act of rebellion.
Corruption of Ideals: Communism, in theory, promised equality, justice, and prosperity for all. However, as The Gulag Archipelago demonstrates, these ideals were quickly corrupted by the reality of power. The Communist regime justified its brutal actions as necessary for the greater good, leading to the sacrifice of countless lives on the altar of ideology. Solzhenitsyn shows how noble-sounding ideals can be twisted to justify horrific crimes.
Human Capacity for Evil: Solzhenitsyn explores the dark side of human nature, highlighting how ordinary people can become complicit in evil when they are part of a repressive system. He refuses to simplify the narrative by portraying all prisoners as innocent victims and all guards as sadistic monsters. Instead, he delves into the complexity of moral choices under oppressive conditions, illustrating how fear, coercion, and ideology can turn people into perpetrators of inhumanity.
Power of the Human Spirit: Despite the immense suffering depicted in the book, Solzhenitsyn also pays tribute to the resilience of the human spirit. Many prisoners maintained their dignity, courage, and moral integrity in the face of overwhelming odds. This aspect of the book is a powerful testament to the strength of individual conscience and the enduring power of hope, even in the darkest of circumstances.
Communism as a Threat to Democracy
The Gulag Archipelago serves as a stark warning about the threat that Communism, and by extension, any totalitarian ideology, poses to democracy. Solzhenitsyn’s work underscores the fact that Communism, in practice, inevitably leads to the concentration of power in the hands of a few, the suppression of political freedoms, and the destruction of individual rights. The book illustrates how the Communist system’s promise of equality and social justice was undermined by the reality of state terror and mass repression.
Solzhenitsyn’s detailed account of the Soviet system serves as a cautionary tale for democratic societies. It reminds us of the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions, protecting individual freedoms, and remaining vigilant against any ideology or movement that seeks to centralize power and impose ideological conformity. The lessons of The Gulag Archipelago are as relevant today as they were when the book was first published, serving as a timeless reminder of the dangers of totalitarianism in any form.
My favorite quotes from the book:
“The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie. One word of truth outweighs the world.”
“The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either—but right through every human heart.”
“We didn’t love freedom enough. And even more—we had no awareness of the real situation. … We purely and simply deserved everything that happened afterward.”
Enter Ted Kaczysnski and his Manifesto
Ted Kaczynski, also known as the "Unabomber," was a domestic terrorist and former mathematics professor who engaged in a nationwide bombing campaign between 1978 and 1995, targeting individuals he believed were responsible for advancing modern technology and industrial society. Kaczynski’s political leanings and his manifesto reflect a deep opposition to modern technological and industrial society, rooted in a combination of anarcho-primitivist and anti-technology views. Most of us would call this man a lunatic. But how did a Mathematics professor and individual with a 167 IQ get activated to do so much harm?
领英推荐
Kaczynski's manifesto, titled "Industrial Society and Its Future," articulates his belief that modern industrial society is inherently oppressive and dehumanizing. He argued that technological advancements and industrialization have led to a loss of individual freedom, environmental degradation, and the erosion of human dignity. Kaczynski believed that society's reliance on technology and industry would ultimately lead to the destruction of the environment and the collapse of civilization.
Key Themes:
Kaczynski was vehemently opposed to technological progress, which he saw as a primary force behind the decline of human freedom and autonomy. He believed that technology and industrialization had created a system where people were subjugated to machines and bureaucracies, leading to alienation and loss of individual agency.
Kaczynski advocated for a return to a simpler, more primitive way of life, free from the constraints of modern technology. He believed that only by dismantling industrial society and reverting to a more natural, less technologically dependent way of living could humans reclaim their freedom and well-being.
Kaczynski's manifesto also includes a critique of what he referred to as "leftism," which he associated with collectivist ideologies, political correctness, and the promotion of social justice causes. He saw leftism as a manifestation of what he called "over-socialization," where individuals are excessively conditioned by society's values, leading to a loss of individualism and self-reliance.
MK-Ultra and Allegations of Brainwashing or Programming
MK-Ultra was a covert CIA program that ran from the 1950s to the early 1970s, aimed at exploring methods of mind control, brainwashing, and psychological manipulation. The program involved various unethical experiments on unwitting subjects, including the use of drugs (such as LSD), hypnosis, sensory deprivation, and other forms of psychological torture.
Ted Kaczynski's name has been linked to the MK-Ultra program because of his participation in psychological experiments while he was an undergraduate student at Harvard University in the late 1950s and early 1960s. These experiments were conducted by psychologist Henry A. Murray and were part of a broader study on stress and personality.
During these experiments, Kaczynski and other students were subjected to intense psychological stress, including personal attacks and humiliation. Although the experiments Kaczynski was involved in were not officially part of the MK-Ultra program, some researchers and commentators have suggested that the methods used in the Harvard study were similar to those employed in MK-Ultra, and that Kaczynski's experience may have contributed to his later radicalization.
However, it is important to note that there is no concrete evidence linking Kaczynski directly to MK-Ultra or suggesting that he was "brainwashed" or "programmed" by the CIA. The connection between Kaczynski's Harvard experience and his later actions remains speculative, and Kaczynski himself did not claim that these experiments were the cause of his views or actions.
Ted Kaczynski's political leanings, as expressed in his manifesto, were rooted in a deep opposition to technological and industrial society, which he saw as oppressive, dehumanizing, and destructive to both individual freedom and the environment. While his involvement in psychological experiments at Harvard has led to speculation about possible connections to MK-Ultra, there is no direct evidence that he was subjected to any form of brainwashing or programming as part of that program. Kaczynski's radicalization appears to have been primarily influenced by his own philosophical reflections and disillusionment with modern society, rather than by any external manipulation or coercion.
So how is this so easy to do to the rest of society?
Appeal to your ego and desire to be seen as superior. They manufacture inequality with juked stats and faux data, and/or distort small biases and issues that humans have dealt with since the dawn of time in the name of establishing equity and forced outcomes. Then take away your freedoms in the name of security and safety.
Essentially, they create a problem, a big universal one, or one so convoluted it's hard to see the origin. That problem creates a reaction based in fear and outrage. When the fear and outrage gets to a hysterical fever pitch, people will not only accept the solution that reduces their rights — THEY WILL ACTUALLY BEG FOR IT and believe it's keeping you safe and secure.
So in short, or long rather, Marxism and Communism, though often idealized as pathways to equality and social justice, have consistently led to authoritarian slavery through violence and oppression. In practice, the pursuit of a classless society under Marxist doctrine has required the centralization of power in the hands of a few, who then enforce their ideology through terror, censorship, and the suppression of dissent. So essentially, it's fascists calling other people fascists.
So how do they get you to do these things? Appeal to your basic bias and ego. The dark-ego-vehicle principle (DEVP) suggests that people with dark personalities, such as high narcissistic traits, may use activism to satisfy their own needs instead of working toward social justice. The DEVP suggests that activism can provide opportunities for people to: Gain social status, Present themselves positively, Feel morally superior, Dominate others, and Engage in social conflicts and aggression.
The promise of a utopian society quickly gives way to the reality of brutal state control, where individual freedoms are stripped away, private property is confiscated, and those who resist are silenced, imprisoned, or killed. The history of Communist regimes is a litany of mass executions, forced labor camps, and widespread suffering, revealing that the supposed liberation of the proletariat often results in a new form of slavery, where the state becomes the ultimate master, ruling through fear and violence. We are being lied to, brainwashed and slow boiled like gullible children.
But first you must free your mind. Then your ass will follow.
~Fin
Hi, I'm Thomas. I love designers and researchers. I speak out against things I don't like or find harmful and oppressive. I don't care if you click or follow.
Additional reference and reading:
True Story of Brainwashing and How It Shaped America
Brainwashing
Mass Psychogenic Illness
History of MK Ultra
Ted Kaczynski (UNABOMBER)
INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY AND ITS FUTURE (Ted K's Manifesto)
Research Microbiologist / Virologist / Epidemiologist at Quest Diagnostics
6 个月A mutual acquaintance wrote about something I think underpins this. Humans don't like freedom, we like a benevolent dictatorship! https://www.polymathicbeing.com/p/benevolent-dictatorship
Design Strategy Director + Service Designer + Organizational Designer + Journey Manager + Business Designer + Conversational/BotAgent Strategist + CX + EX + UX
6 个月And NOW, for something completely different, https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/thomasianwilson_freedom-capitalism-freemarket-activity-7235644958991339520-lkZq?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Co-Founder & Director, Center for Cooperative Problem Solving, at Virginia Tech | Co-Instructor for KAI Accreditation Course
6 个月Iwan Jenkins, this is the article I told you about today. Worth the time to read.
Design · Strategy · Culture
6 个月To be totally honest here it is very perplexing and worrying to see an article like this coming from a person like you. Given the fact that I don’t know you personally ally I can see how I might have missed a lot of context and/or I might have missmatched expectations about topics you talk about, still this is a very very amiss and narrow point of view. You don’t want my advice but I would have consulted someone before I edited this to put it out publicly.
Keep up the good work! Your article is a valuable to read.