"Willful blindness" as a psychological coping mechanism makes a lot of sense to me. I have seen it as an organizational consultant, where a business owner or manager sees what must be done to change a problematic situation, yet does not act to remedy it. I see two things here. One is that they are overwhelmed by the process. Two is that they are trying to see the ultimate end point of a solution process. As a result, they back off, and willful blindness takes over.
I see part of the problem here is not having clarity about the values that one lives by. If our values are sort of downloaded from the corporate HR manual, then those values are not the foundation of belief in our work. In my leadership model, Circle of Impact, one of the three dimensions are Ideas. Within that dimension are the four connecting ideas of Values, Purpose, Vision, and Impact. The latter three are based on the former. We are clear about the values that matter to us when we are willing to sacrifice some benefit to hold those values as foundational to our lives and work. I see Dignity and Grace as those kind of values. They are my values incorporated in the single idea of Honor, my core value. In other words, I will treat everyone with honor, with dignity and grace, regardless of who they are. For me to act otherwise is to violate my own value system. It doesn't mean that there is not conflict in my life. It does mean that I view everyone through the lens of honor. And, to the best of my ability, I am learning to not practice "willful blindness" toward people. I don't want to delude myself about people. It means that I say No when it reinforces both my core values, and is a statement to the other person about what I think of them. If they refuse my expression of honor, and many people have, it is not my responsibility. For to treat people with dignity and grace, is to treat them as persons responsible for the circumstances of their lives. It is at this point that I see in people their potential for impact and value their agency as human beings. The benefit is that it has opened up my life to hundreds of people who are individuals who also treat other people with dignity, grace, and honor. My choices during the pandemic were counter-cultural, even as a very traditional kind of person, because I refused to treat myself with dishonor. The circle of dignity and grace is eternal.
Gary, once again, you have said things that have significance for our lives right now. Thank you.
Wow! What a terrific comment. "I am learning to not practice "willful blindness" toward people. I don't want to delude myself about people. It means that I say No when it reinforces both my core values, and is a statement to the other person about what I think of them. If they refuse my expression of honor, and many people have, it is not my responsibility." - I was worried that I may sound too Polly-Annish about this, and include caveats, but this says it better than I could have done.
Lovely! "On my part, in 2023 I resolve to keep writing in support of the side of the light, keep speaking out against the few psychopaths in control, keep trying to fully recover from a chronic disease, to show that this is possible, and continue to work on becoming a better, calmer, more dignified and graceful person."
Gary, I like your posts because they are different from most. You approach things from a personal level and encourage people to use their own agency. You remind us that we are capable of change and not powerless to be stuck in modes of thinking or illness. In addition, your empathy and optimism shines through to encourage and prompt your readers to embrace themselves and be proactive. You tell us basic concepts and suggest literature and keep it simple and short.
The elites count on populations to go along because they know most will not recognize what is happening and for those who do, many will flow with the current. When enough people stop cooperating, their plans become less tenable and less predictable.
my sentiments exactly great job tieing it all together
Before the shit hit the fan I was a Lyft driver I drove over 3000 trips and over 29,000 miles on the road in just about a year at that time that I came to the same conclusion in this post.
we must rise above the barbarism!
the key is the benefit of the doubt imo... deeds not words somebody acts like an asshole well guess what?
yes cognitive dissonance willful blindness and people still smoke cigarettes go figure but one point you’re missing is (maybe) the dumbing down of America has worked people are just freaking stupid sheep now...
Thank John, yes this is part of the missing piece that Elsa also identified... that the willful distraction of ethical questions is part of the technocratic agenda. and this definitely includes the educational system in UK and US as a big part of this.
I believe something huge is missing here, in the quote from the book about wilful blincness: "any situation in which people intentionally turn their attention away from an ethical problem." What we are having is people HAVING THEIR ATTENTION WILFULLY INTENTIONALLY DELIBERATELY TURNED AWAY from an ethical problem. And that brings me to the program I've developed, AWAKE in a World Gone "Woke." It's one thing to be even partly awake. It's something else to be able to awaken more, and even more to awaken people who have had THEIR ATTENTION WILFULLY INTENTIONALLY DELIBERATELY TURNED AWAY. I believe it's Catherine Austin Fitts who was speaking of a group brain. On our side we are very individual - which is great. However, we often lack enough group connection. By the way, if anyone is interested, take a look at: https://awakeworld.net
I think you are right here - I was trying to avoid saying that people deliberately turn away, why I preferred psycholpgical to willful, but you are right, part of the technocrat planning is the deliberate turning away of the attention, like social media, gaslighting of the media and so forth? Your programme looks good.
Thanks for listening. And I'm glad you think my program (N Am spelling) looks good. One thing is giving us a "group mind" which does not detract from the individual mind, but strengthens it. Anyway, would love to converse more with you re my program.
I wish I had read your article before commenting on your comment on Kathleen’s post. You already have such a great deep understanding of all this and I’m grateful to learn from you, especially in matters of how it translates inside our physical body. Thanks, Gary. Great post.
Beautiful essay and I totally agree -- we MUST keep fighting the good fight and keep moving toward grace and dignity. Many more will come over to our understanding of the troubles in our midst.
I like very much that you addressed why some people easily see what we see and some simply cannot, it seems. I believe your addressed it quite well. I also believe there’s a spiritual component to this willful blindness; not that all those who cannot “see” are unbelievers, or that those who see what we see are all believers. It’s just that I sense a strong metaphysical component to it that’s very difficult to explain in words.
The dorsal vagus is at its best for the organism, healing with the ventral vagus is not at our disposal. I do not think it is blindness, but stubborness as to the body needs for rest and digest. We cannot let our guard down. The fear is at its strongest as perhpas a form of avoidance or maybe close to being in a freeze state. Who listens any way. I mean really listens or, in this case, reads
That is why this group works so well on many occassions and Gary has helped with this process along the way. Perhaps it is blindness but wonder if there was someone to just listen early on, how far we might have come. That is why psychology works when the glasses are removed. I have to laugh, though, when in the hospital many are relieved of thier glasses before an event. That causes terror in some just not being able to see, literally.
I was called out as a Designated Mental Health Professional at the hospital to help someone they thought was psychotic. It took a bit of calming her down, when it became clear they kept asking her questions and a form to sign that she could not see as the glasses were removed and gone and she was in panic.
I know that is not what you are speaking of here but a good analogy as to the blindness you see in the mental health or the medical field and cross professions. Human means for a worldview to healing with especially open eyes or open mindedness, I also cheer for open ears and even knowledge of ones neuroception and interoception. That has changed my whole relationships with other humans or as they called it back in the day, transpersonal awareness or other descriptions depending on the field of endeavors or those in attendance.
Thank you for this post, Gary. Really hones in on essential things to keep in mind as we move forward. So much confusion and obfuscation out there - your writings cut through and clarify, and importantly, uplift.
The best way to fight these control freaks is continue to be ourselves, follow the golden rule, and live our lives like we always have. Control what you can and that is 'how you treat others'. Do not fall into their trap of envy, greed, perversion, hatred, and all the other things they try to divide us with.
I think we need to get out of the practice of pointing fingers at a nebulous "they." Because by doing so we are also part of the problem (being divisive). It's also a tactic to remove ourselves from responsibility for the quality of our own lives. Any misery in my life has almost nothing to do with "corporate elites" or politicians. It's simply a choice I'm making. I also don't really believe in "good" or "bad" people. Very few, if anyone, commits evil acts intentionally. Mostly it's simply people under the sway of bad ideas. What's important is to counter bad ideas with good ones.
"Willful blindness" as a psychological coping mechanism makes a lot of sense to me. I have seen it as an organizational consultant, where a business owner or manager sees what must be done to change a problematic situation, yet does not act to remedy it. I see two things here. One is that they are overwhelmed by the process. Two is that they are trying to see the ultimate end point of a solution process. As a result, they back off, and willful blindness takes over.
I see part of the problem here is not having clarity about the values that one lives by. If our values are sort of downloaded from the corporate HR manual, then those values are not the foundation of belief in our work. In my leadership model, Circle of Impact, one of the three dimensions are Ideas. Within that dimension are the four connecting ideas of Values, Purpose, Vision, and Impact. The latter three are based on the former. We are clear about the values that matter to us when we are willing to sacrifice some benefit to hold those values as foundational to our lives and work. I see Dignity and Grace as those kind of values. They are my values incorporated in the single idea of Honor, my core value. In other words, I will treat everyone with honor, with dignity and grace, regardless of who they are. For me to act otherwise is to violate my own value system. It doesn't mean that there is not conflict in my life. It does mean that I view everyone through the lens of honor. And, to the best of my ability, I am learning to not practice "willful blindness" toward people. I don't want to delude myself about people. It means that I say No when it reinforces both my core values, and is a statement to the other person about what I think of them. If they refuse my expression of honor, and many people have, it is not my responsibility. For to treat people with dignity and grace, is to treat them as persons responsible for the circumstances of their lives. It is at this point that I see in people their potential for impact and value their agency as human beings. The benefit is that it has opened up my life to hundreds of people who are individuals who also treat other people with dignity, grace, and honor. My choices during the pandemic were counter-cultural, even as a very traditional kind of person, because I refused to treat myself with dishonor. The circle of dignity and grace is eternal.
Gary, once again, you have said things that have significance for our lives right now. Thank you.
Wow! What a terrific comment. "I am learning to not practice "willful blindness" toward people. I don't want to delude myself about people. It means that I say No when it reinforces both my core values, and is a statement to the other person about what I think of them. If they refuse my expression of honor, and many people have, it is not my responsibility." - I was worried that I may sound too Polly-Annish about this, and include caveats, but this says it better than I could have done.
I like this explanation, Gary. Thank you!
Brilliantly put, Ed!
Lovely! "On my part, in 2023 I resolve to keep writing in support of the side of the light, keep speaking out against the few psychopaths in control, keep trying to fully recover from a chronic disease, to show that this is possible, and continue to work on becoming a better, calmer, more dignified and graceful person."
Thank you!
Gary, I like your posts because they are different from most. You approach things from a personal level and encourage people to use their own agency. You remind us that we are capable of change and not powerless to be stuck in modes of thinking or illness. In addition, your empathy and optimism shines through to encourage and prompt your readers to embrace themselves and be proactive. You tell us basic concepts and suggest literature and keep it simple and short.
The elites count on populations to go along because they know most will not recognize what is happening and for those who do, many will flow with the current. When enough people stop cooperating, their plans become less tenable and less predictable.
Thanks and wish you a great 2023.
Thank you so much, this made me smile from ear to ear. I hadn't thought about it like that!
Great article, Gary! Liked and cross-posted!💖
Thank you!
my sentiments exactly great job tieing it all together
Before the shit hit the fan I was a Lyft driver I drove over 3000 trips and over 29,000 miles on the road in just about a year at that time that I came to the same conclusion in this post.
we must rise above the barbarism!
the key is the benefit of the doubt imo... deeds not words somebody acts like an asshole well guess what?
yes cognitive dissonance willful blindness and people still smoke cigarettes go figure but one point you’re missing is (maybe) the dumbing down of America has worked people are just freaking stupid sheep now...
www.americandeception.com
funny how we have to fight to be left alone!
God please vanquish all control freaks and return us to a period of enlightenment AMEN!
Thank John, yes this is part of the missing piece that Elsa also identified... that the willful distraction of ethical questions is part of the technocratic agenda. and this definitely includes the educational system in UK and US as a big part of this.
Amen!
I believe something huge is missing here, in the quote from the book about wilful blincness: "any situation in which people intentionally turn their attention away from an ethical problem." What we are having is people HAVING THEIR ATTENTION WILFULLY INTENTIONALLY DELIBERATELY TURNED AWAY from an ethical problem. And that brings me to the program I've developed, AWAKE in a World Gone "Woke." It's one thing to be even partly awake. It's something else to be able to awaken more, and even more to awaken people who have had THEIR ATTENTION WILFULLY INTENTIONALLY DELIBERATELY TURNED AWAY. I believe it's Catherine Austin Fitts who was speaking of a group brain. On our side we are very individual - which is great. However, we often lack enough group connection. By the way, if anyone is interested, take a look at: https://awakeworld.net
I think you are right here - I was trying to avoid saying that people deliberately turn away, why I preferred psycholpgical to willful, but you are right, part of the technocrat planning is the deliberate turning away of the attention, like social media, gaslighting of the media and so forth? Your programme looks good.
Thanks for listening. And I'm glad you think my program (N Am spelling) looks good. One thing is giving us a "group mind" which does not detract from the individual mind, but strengthens it. Anyway, would love to converse more with you re my program.
I wish I had read your article before commenting on your comment on Kathleen’s post. You already have such a great deep understanding of all this and I’m grateful to learn from you, especially in matters of how it translates inside our physical body. Thanks, Gary. Great post.
Beautiful essay and I totally agree -- we MUST keep fighting the good fight and keep moving toward grace and dignity. Many more will come over to our understanding of the troubles in our midst.
I like very much that you addressed why some people easily see what we see and some simply cannot, it seems. I believe your addressed it quite well. I also believe there’s a spiritual component to this willful blindness; not that all those who cannot “see” are unbelievers, or that those who see what we see are all believers. It’s just that I sense a strong metaphysical component to it that’s very difficult to explain in words.
Thank you.
The dorsal vagus is at its best for the organism, healing with the ventral vagus is not at our disposal. I do not think it is blindness, but stubborness as to the body needs for rest and digest. We cannot let our guard down. The fear is at its strongest as perhpas a form of avoidance or maybe close to being in a freeze state. Who listens any way. I mean really listens or, in this case, reads
That is why this group works so well on many occassions and Gary has helped with this process along the way. Perhaps it is blindness but wonder if there was someone to just listen early on, how far we might have come. That is why psychology works when the glasses are removed. I have to laugh, though, when in the hospital many are relieved of thier glasses before an event. That causes terror in some just not being able to see, literally.
I was called out as a Designated Mental Health Professional at the hospital to help someone they thought was psychotic. It took a bit of calming her down, when it became clear they kept asking her questions and a form to sign that she could not see as the glasses were removed and gone and she was in panic.
I know that is not what you are speaking of here but a good analogy as to the blindness you see in the mental health or the medical field and cross professions. Human means for a worldview to healing with especially open eyes or open mindedness, I also cheer for open ears and even knowledge of ones neuroception and interoception. That has changed my whole relationships with other humans or as they called it back in the day, transpersonal awareness or other descriptions depending on the field of endeavors or those in attendance.
Thank you for this post, Gary. Really hones in on essential things to keep in mind as we move forward. So much confusion and obfuscation out there - your writings cut through and clarify, and importantly, uplift.
The best way to fight these control freaks is continue to be ourselves, follow the golden rule, and live our lives like we always have. Control what you can and that is 'how you treat others'. Do not fall into their trap of envy, greed, perversion, hatred, and all the other things they try to divide us with.
I think we need to get out of the practice of pointing fingers at a nebulous "they." Because by doing so we are also part of the problem (being divisive). It's also a tactic to remove ourselves from responsibility for the quality of our own lives. Any misery in my life has almost nothing to do with "corporate elites" or politicians. It's simply a choice I'm making. I also don't really believe in "good" or "bad" people. Very few, if anyone, commits evil acts intentionally. Mostly it's simply people under the sway of bad ideas. What's important is to counter bad ideas with good ones.