Ostrich Syndrome

There are none so blind as those who will not see, none so deaf as those who stop their own ears, none so brainwashed as those who will not think or consider another point of view.   Ordinarily you might consider those who do not see, hear or think as being handicapped; however they may not realize their diminished capabilities because they have never known otherwise.   They seek to remain comfortable in what is familiar and in their habitual sense of self in the world.   There are people  who choose to remain ignorant of what is happening in their communities, their nation and in the wider world.   They have received the necessary education to be able to read and discern events and motives, but they either consciously make a decision to disengage, or they become soporific and/or apathetic to change then proceed to 'bury their heads in the sand'.   They continuously "go back to sleep" 

​I am not writing about those people who have not had the opportunity to be educated or have not been exposed to multiple sources of media.  Nor am I speaking of those who have been systematically brainwashed by propaganda since childhood, and isolated from other sources, for example those born in North Korea or Saudi Arabia.  This week I am commenting on observations gleaned from first hand experience in the westernized, wealthy country where there is opportunity aplenty=the paradisiacal country of New Zealand/Aotearoa.  New Zealand is famous for it's sheep, which outnumber human beings 7 to 1, but the number of "sheeple"  in New Zealand, hasn't yet been quantified.

Most  of you have probably read or heard of the word "sheeple".  There are criteria for determining of if someone....or you, are part of this flock.  Here are a few characteristics of sheeple which identify them:
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1.    They Get All Their Information from Mainstream Media
​2.    They Adopt the Opinions of What They Are Told Is the "Majority"
3.   They Reject "Divergent" Ideas By Default and Automatically Categorize them as         "Conspiracy Theories"
4.   They Always Follow the Latest Trends and Fashions and Receive Their                             Ideas From Social Media and "Influencers"
5.    They Avoid Disapproval and Constantly Self Censor
6.    They Say and Think "google" Instead of "Search" and Don't Use Any Other                      Search Engines
7.   They Put Themselves On All Social Media Platforms Possible
8.   They Do Not Have Their Own Philosophy About Life and Their Own Goals
9.  They Are Pre-Occupied with Trivia, Sports, TV, Celebrities, Fantasy, Pleasure                 Seeking, Finances, Personal Issues and are a Follower
10. They Are Too Lazy or "Stressed" to Investigate Conflicts, Disinformation, History,          Issues,  Rationales or Arguments, so Rely On Pundits, Media and Personalities            to do the Analysis for Them   
11. They Don't Read Much, and if They Do They Read Popular Magazines, Fiction              Titles and "How To" Books on Bestseller Lists
12.  They Are Not Personally Prepared for Self Defense, Natural Disasters, Grid                     Breakdowns, Civil or Criminal Disruptions, Emergencies or Martial Law

Here is another viewpoint you might be interested in on this topic:  modernsurvivalblog.com/systemic-risk/sheeple/
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Having the opportunity to be in a country I once knew well, and reacquaint myself with places after years away, observing as I sat in bus stations, local cafes, libraries, banks, a dentist surgery, on public transport, in NZ owned media studios, whares and sports events; I realize how much has changed here.  Kiwis I spoke to-Kiwis who had family here for generations and Kiwis newly arrived from elsewhere-most often parroted phrases programmed by main stream media from outside, such as:  "Orange man bad, borders and walls bad, and LGBTYEFGXYZ good" without knowing "why" or being able to articulate reasons for these beliefs.   These are significantly different opinions than most Kiwis held even ten years ago. 

A few would just shake their heads and state "I dunno" or "It's a funny ol world, isn't it?!" but not really want to discuss at a deeper level how they came to be so unconcerned and/or mesmerized by "news" that fed them such propaganda. They didn't know what evidence/data had informed the actual news reports and their molded viewpoints of leaders, actions, policies and nationalities.

Fortunately I also met a number of Kiwis who were willing to ask me questions and logically analyze as well as articulate their views and listen to mine.   A few were brave enough to concede they shared my points of view or suspected it was the case that President Trump was doing a fine job for the economy in America and wasn't a racist or war monger.   Of course those that attended my book reading/signing events came by choice and because they were interested in listening to someone "from outside".  They were people who do not bury their heads in the sand and I found more than a few new kindred spirits on my travels this time. 

One of the taxi driver's I rode with asked me about my book, my experiences overseas, and my perspective on life in conflict zones.   After our 20 minute ride, he asked to buy one of my books...which I had with me.  I paid him his fare and he paid me with a $20.00 note, in one very gratifying exchange in Auckland.   He was a retired NZ police officer and had wanted to visit America but had never been there.

New Zealand is geographically set so far apart from most countries where major wars, natural disasters and insurgencies happen, it is easy to succumb to "ostrich syndrome" here.   There is a sleepiness in the peace that is still part of the fabric of Kiwi society.   However, "Ostrich Syndrome" can be observed in most societies to some degree.   Even with the potential of invasion or civil disruption right outside their front or back doors, people will try to "bury their heads in the sand" and be in denial of the uncomfortable realities around them.   They will resist ever venturing out of their created bubble of a "comfort zone".
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Ending this post with a song from Van Morrison you may not have heard yet...from his album Bleeding Hearts a track entitled:  "Keep Mediocrity at Bay" very timely as he sings, "You've got to fight for your rights...you can't bury your head in the sand.  You've got to fight every day-to keep mediocrity at bay."  Look and listen:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y_rB4MYXMY

Photos above are from tour spots here in New Zealand 1) Queenstown Library flyer  2) Page & Blackmore Bookstore window in Nelson   3) Reading my book at the Takapuna public library and 4) In front of a display at Taradale/ Napier library.   My first book tour has pushed me to keep my head and chin up, ears and eyes open, mind alert and heart beating.

Trust you are doing the same...whether you are in summer or winter....wherever you are this week on our planet.

Until next Tuesday-"don't go back to sleep" from the Rumi poem put to music by Phillip Glass in the digital theatrical piece he wrote - "Monsters of Grace" produced by Robert Wilson.  Here are the lyrics and the link to the music video:

The libretto for the entire opera is taken from the writings of the 13th century Persian poet Rumi, as translated by Coleman Barks. The text of this piece is:

"The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep
You must ask for what you really want
Don't go back to sleep
People are going back and forth across the door sill - where the two worlds touch - The door is round and open
Don't go back to sleep"

Phillip Glass music/lyrics:         www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5zvcgIQsYw

Jo