why are so many people smitten with group mentality? — synthesis

Humans are social animals. We like each other. We like to hang out together. It's who we are and what we do. No way to get away from it, for better or worse. We are not smitten with group mentality, we are born with it.

Couldn’t really afford to be an individualist in 99.9% of human evolution, I’ve heard.

There are those — synthesis

I'm sure there are those who think just about anything really. Perhaps even a significant amount.

why are so many people smitten with group mentality? — synthesis

You answered this yourself. Better odds. Still, I think there's another angle to this. There's a difference between being socially conscious and full-blown mob mentality. The latter being nobody is really thinking or acting in accordance to their own beliefs or what they think is best, rather just doing what the guy next to them is doing out of pure instinct.

why are so many people smitten with group mentality? — synthesis

Sometimes I think it looks like we are forced by the system stay together, inside the group. But somehow I guess it has the natural perception too.
It is very hard to live in loneliness or not following tendencies/thoughts/ideas and the persons who defend these.
There are even scientifics who defends that loneliness are pretty bad for our mental health.
I guess the problem is not the natural stimulus but how toxic some groups can be

Humans are social animals. We like each other. We like to hang out together. It's who we are and what we do. No way to get away from it, for better or worse. We are not smitten with group mentality, we are born with it. — T Clark

Perhaps you should read-up on the history of our species. Slaughter after slaughter after slaughter is what defines us. Hanging out at the corner bar and on social media are quite recent activities.

I have found being in groups extremely difficult at times, due to the whole herd factor. I do think that my own social skills are deteriorating in lockdown and wonder how I will cope with groups again. I wonder if I am the only one feeling this way or whether other people are wondering if they will be able to go back to being in groups after becoming used to isolation.

You answered this yourself. Better odds. Still, I think there's another angle to this. There's a difference between being socially conscious and full-blown mob mentality. The latter being nobody is really thinking or acting in accordance to their own beliefs or what they think is best, rather just doing what the guy next to them is doing out of pure instinct. — Outlander

What I am saying is that all great ideas idea emanate from the individual whereas all horrendous ones emanate from groups (because they have the power to effect all kinds of horror).

Slaughter after slaughter after slaughter is what defines us. — synthesis

I don't agree. Even if I did, that isn't inconsistent with what I wrote. I didn't say that group action leads to love and happiness, only that it is what we do. Who we are.

I don't agree. Even if I did, that isn't inconsistent with what I wrote. I didn't say that group action leads to love and happiness, only that it is what we do. Who we are. — T Clark

History is history (unless this part of it is to be re-written, as well).

And we all understand that people are drawn to groups, my question was based on their track record, why is this? Loneliness? Fear? Insecurity?

Obviously, I am not a group person for all kinds of reasons, but mostly because I am not one to give over my opinion to group consensus. Just look around at the mess this world is in at the moment. This is the manifestation of group mentality and group-think.

Sometimes I think it looks like we are forced by the system stay together, inside the group. But somehow I guess it has the natural perception too.
It is very hard to live in loneliness or not following tendencies/thoughts/ideas and the persons who defend these.
There are even scientifics who defends that loneliness are pretty bad for our mental health.
I guess the problem is not the natural stimulus but how toxic some groups can be — javi2541997

It's not a black and white issue. You can be an individual and still be somewhat social, but the balance is waaaaay off. Just look at the power that corporations and government has over individuals in the West now. Can anybody suggest that this has been a good thing?

History is history — synthesis

History is less than 10,000 years old. We've been around for more than 200,000 years.

And we all understand that people are drawn to groups... why is this? Loneliness? Fear? Insecurity? — synthesis

Horses, cows, chickens, crows, and sheep are drawn to groups. Why is this? Whatever the reason, it's the same for humans.

No. It's a question of whether those groups are lead by a central principle.

What's called the Dao, the Logos, Dharma, natural law. If society all works in concert with the natural law, that all of the limbs of the body work in concert with each other cooperatively, then the whole society will prosper. It will be a golden age.

However, because modern society rejects natural law in favor of nominalism and individualism (same thing) all of the various groups of society are in it for themselves, and as such are at war with each other for their own specific benefits.

Normally, this does not happen. Workers work, tradesman do their trade, philosophers philosophize, kings rule and warriors defend and attack. All in accord with the natural law.

Since everyone has their "role" in the whole, because all individuals have their natural law, their natural qualities in the whole which follows the natural law in concert.

Society is a body, and if the limbs of the body are at war with each other it does not function. If the limbs act in concert, the workers, the specialists, the priests, the philosophers, the kings, the warriors, then all runs well. A well-oiled machine. Golden age.

This individualism, liberalism, nominalism type of worldview has forced people to fend for themselves against everyone else. Because there is no organic society to help them, instruct them, direct them and put them in their proper role/duty in society.

Everyone has a place in society. Every single individual. If society works in accordance with the natural law.

If it doesn;t, some will be left out, abandoned. And class division (by that I mean any group division) predominates.

Just look at the power that corporations and government has over individuals in the West now. Can anybody suggest that this has been a good thing? — synthesis

Indeed. It is an awful abomination created by us. But try for just a month living off the corporations, governments, etc... I will not say it is impossible but you will play in hard mode.
Also, I guess soon or later will be appear that feeling of trying to speak with someone or being part of something, I mean the unbeatable leviathan

Horses, cows, chickens, crows, and sheep are drawn to groups. Why this? Whatever the reason, it's the same reason for humans. — T Clark

Perhaps, but this is not what I am getting at. We have the ability to think (albeit not very well, but a little bit), so one might believe that sitting down and considering the past couple of thousand years and what we humans are like in groups, that individuals might consider themselves better off going it more alone. After all, this is what made the U.S. the rock star it was until the forces of evil, BIG government, the FED, and all the other likely suspects, started to destroy the freedoms that allowed Americans to live freely (most anyway).

When institutions start to metastasize, the end (of freedom) is near.

But try for just a month living off the corporations, governments, etc... — javi2541997

Do you believe people are THAT weak? I believe people, once given the taste of freedom again, will not be able to get enough.

As far as those that could care less about anything other than being a serf, whatever. THIS is exactly the problem with groups. You dumb them down enough, you make them completely dependent, then you have to end up (to some degree) living their pathetic lives.

Is it not individuals who seek the Dharma, not groups?

What I am saying is that all great ideas idea emanate from the individual whereas all horrendous ones emanate from groups (because they have the power to effect all kinds of horror). — synthesis

A single person invented the nuclear bomb. Considering all persons being equal, i'd call that pretty horrible. Though perhaps considering it was (often) quick slaughter perhaps it even acting as a deterrent prevented true, slow, and personal slaughter. Who's to say really. I believe, correct me if I'm wrong, Louis Pasteur invented pasteurization with the help of his wife. Not quite a "group" per se. That's likely because in a group everyone is still striving and reaching to do their own thing just within limits and confines defined by said group. In a group, positive events, like a discovery, usually go to the individual for positive credit which acts as an incentive to keep being or doing your best where negative events, like execution by firing squad, are shared and all members are equally responsible, for purposes I don't like to think about frankly. Still, the benefit of the group is always present.

Ideally, society and the whole world would be ran by natural law. Just as the rest of the Omniverse is. Animals don't need to be told what their natural law is, they mate, they eat, they die, because humans are more intelligent, they get deluded about their natural law.

A single person invented the nuclear bomb. — Outlander

You need to read up on the Manhattan project.

It is only a group capable of unleashing that kind of horror on humanity.

On that we can agree.

That's how the scientific dictatorship works. When you don't respect the sacredness of the planet, of life, of the universe and you don't respect the Supreme Controller behind it.

That's just the beginning.

Do you believe people are THAT weak? I believe people, once given the taste of freedom again, will not be able to get enough — synthesis

Yes because we the humans have proven for centuries that we cannot live in the wild (neither freedom) without an order. The different scenario would be a chaos. Probably a few can do it but not all
We don't have the problem that system and government have ended up disappointed us

Yes because we the humans have proven for centuries that we cannot live in the wild (neither freedom) without an order. The different scenario would be a chaos. — javi2541997

I understand that most people believe that our chains are essential.

Although you do need a central authority to maintain security and individual rights, that's about it. When the authority decides that they are the source of power, your society is heading south.

Any of you serfs out there feel as if the central authority in your country treats you as if you hold sway over them?

The only group that interests me is SU(2). :chin:

Any of you serfs out there feel as if the central authority in your country treats you as if you hold sway over them? — synthesis

Yes. Of course this is the feeling I have about the central authority of my country. I am somehow like a slave, probably not like someone in the Rome Empire who can be treated as trash but so similar. I have to pay bills, low paid jobs, injustices everywhere, privileges to others... They created a system where they (administrators of leviathan) always win.
But it is quite impossible live in a community without all of this. At least we have a guarantee.
Probably and just probably, one or 10 (no more) can do it this.

The point of this thread was to point out that the entire global-national-state/provincial/local power structure will tell you that groups produce the very air you breathe and you will certainly asphyxiate without them. There is absolutely nothing further from the truth.

Group-people are the parasites that have nearly completely destroyed their hosts (individuals). Just the same, the professional and administrative classes are so easily paid-off as nothing is more important to these folks than a mini-McMansion, a slick European sedan, and the right combination of meds to keep their heads on straight.

This socio-economic system provides almost unlimited opportunity to those who have the drive to take advantage of the chances to succeed, but with this comes all the rest, the liars, cheaters, and thieves that eventually infiltrate all human enterprise.

The 2020's are about dredging out the corruption and allowing a new cycle to begin.

Group-people are the parasites that have nearly completely destroyed their hosts (individuals). — synthesis

So, do you live in the wilderness and obtain all your food by growing, hunting, and fishing? If no, where do you get your food? Your money - work, inheritance, government? Your home? Medical care? You live in a complex society. We are all group people. How are you any different? Could you live on your own without any other people? Without all the infrastructure that keeps things moving?

So, do you live in the wilderness and obtain all your food by growing, hunting, and fishing? If no, where do you get your food? Your money - work, inheritance, government? Your home? Medical care? You live in a complex society. We are all group people. How are you any different? Could you live on your own without any other people? Without all the infrastructure that keeps things moving? — T Clark

It's not a black and white issue. Of course you need some group activity, but anything more than the absolute minimum necessary to carry-on causes all kinds of difficulty.

Groups have seemingly perfected the manipulation of individuals to the point where there are those like yourself who simply cannot exist without their omnipresence/omnipotence.

Groups have seemingly perfected the manipulation of individuals to the point where there are those like yourself who simply cannot exist without their omnipresence/omnipotence. — synthesis

Can you describe how you live your life to minimize their omnipresence/omnipotence.