The Lies We're Sold
By Les Mottosky
A successful system is a signal of efficacy.
The problem with systems is they're built on some truth – and – we embrace them as if they represent complete truth. The systems approach mostly works because the ones not based in reality flounder then fail pretty rapidly. They can't and won't survive.
A system will sometimes employ tools to obscure questionable intentions or immoral details that could threaten it's ability to continue. In that way it has an almost biological imperative. As we're reminded: "The purpose of the system is to perpetuate the system."
As an example, back in the 1970's political scientist John Muller defined a psychological tactic called 'Rally Around The Flag'. This concept describes a short term surge in public support for a country's leaders or government during international crisis.
The tactic requires 4 key elements:
• an event international in scope
• it directly involves a national leader
• the event must be specific and dramatic
• the nation to be rallied must feel victimized
Two memorable examples of 'Rally Around The Flag' are the Iraq and Afghanistan wars that followed 9/11. More recently – and northerly – the anti-tariff "Elbows Up" movement in Canada helped elect PM Mark Carney.
This psychological tactic allows the public to overlook inconvenient realities for the empowering – nearly intoxicating – emotion that accompanies the narrative. More specifically, citizens feel they're in service of justice; they're on the "right side" of an obvious wrong.
The result? We don't see – or even look at – the enemy. We're too wrapped up in the threat we're told they represent. And sometimes those aren't the same thing.
One of the more helpful and insightful observations about human nature is that we tend to see what we believe. Our perception is such that we project a meaning on the world that may or may not be accurate. This human tendency is leveraged by the "Rally Around The Flag" tactic.
And as interesting as it is to consider how psychology is employed against us, it's far more valuable to look at how we use it against ourselves. (Big bonus: when we understand this, we're less likely to be manipulated in the future).
This task requires the courage to ask – and persistence to answer – some unwelcome questions:
Where have I created invisible enemies because I'm afraid to take accountability for my own missteps?
What systems have I installed in my own thinking to protect me from seeing the truth about myself?
Where do I refuse to acknowledge my fantasy for vengeance because my hurt burns so hot?
Answers to all of these are hinted at in our judgements about the world. Every accusation we cast upon life might also be an intimate personal confession from deep within. This is where Carl Jung's assertion about psychological projection provides some insight: “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.”
That's how judgement can be used as a tool in our life.
But what about 'the why' we avoid putting it to work for us?
If we perceive the world as being unsafe, it may be because we don't have a reliable network of friends and advocates to share ourselves with. Modern day philosopher Michael Meade made this insightful observation: "Safety doesn't mean no trouble, no harm, and everything's fine. Safety means having enough support to take the right risks." Perhaps we're not stepping out – and stepping up – in our lives because we don't have adequate back-up?
This tracks with what we can observe about the natural, innate fearlessness we see in young children. When Mom and Dad are near, kids can appear nearly bullet-proof in their courage to attempt new, challenging – even dangerous – things. The invisible enemy of fear is still present, but it's relegated to the cheap seats because Ma & Pa are front row, center.
Here are some questions that might help us lay the foundation for a system to identify our own concealed inner enemies:
Who can we recruit as allies to help tackle our more stubborn barriers to living a fuller existence?
In whom can we open-up, place our trust and share our nastiest beliefs about life? Who will help lovingly challenge those beliefs?
This is how we rally around our own red flags; by enrolling a tribe of intimates we can spill our ugly guts to.
And then sift through them.
Together.
Uncomfortable and challenging inquiries are where the light gets shone on those parts of ourselves we don't like to acknowledge – or even entertain as possible.
But it's these critical conversations and moments of connection that reveal the inner path to reconciliation and peace. With ourselves. For ourselves. And for those we want to show-up for more fully.
Til then, our inner enemies remain invisible, inflicting untold havoc and suffering.
Unless we learn to share and accept them.
Then the enemy will wave the flag. A white one.
And that's a system worth developing.
TAGS: #The Lies We're Sold
Les Mottosky
Adaptation Strategist // I help organizations turn creativity into their competitive advantage by aligning leadership, culture and strategy to unlock adaptive innovations.
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