Nicholsclan.com : a dimension of mind...

A Ponderable...

For a few moments, please consider the following somewhat disturbing
scenario. Let's assume there's a killer on the loose in your area. The
killer is known to the police, but they haven't been able to locate
him. Let's further imagine that the killer murders your child. Horrible,
I know, but bear with me.

How do you feel? Undoubtedly many ways. Among them, fearful. Worried
that other family members may be at risk. You buy a security system. You
make strict rules that your children are not to be out without an
adult. They increasingly become prisoners in their own home.

I imagine that rage and a desire for vengeance are among your states of
mind as well. Weeks and months pass. The killer remains at
large. Overwhelmed by your frustration, impatience, and need for closure
you decide to launch your own investigation. You go increasingly into debt
to fund what has now become an obsession. You alienate your friends who
want to help but can't support your self-destructive behavior. They watch,
helpless, as you destroy your own family, both emotionally and
financially. And all the while you defend your behavior as necessary. You
are doing this for the safety of the whole community. Not just safety from
this killer, but from others who would follow him. Justice must be
served. The killer mustn't win.

But wouldn't Dr. Phil tell you that the killer already has won? He may
have only killed one person, but he's destroyed the lives of your entire
family. Or rather, you have enabled him to do so. You are in need of an
intervention, and a fair bit of therapy. You need to learn to move on -
albeit with more caution - but onward nonetheless.

And now the pondering part: why is the behavior above so obviously
dysfunctional at the individual level, but acceptable (hell it's desirable)
behavior for us as a nation?

My take? Because we aren't thinking as individuals. And many of us just
aren't thinking. The mob is rioting, and the adrenaline rush from
unleashing the "whoop-ass" is intoxicating. Some of our leaders have
figured out that in the cold sober light of morning, many of us will regret
the results of our collective bender. Therefore, the whoop-ass must flow.

Gotta hold this buzz man...