Human beings are meme machines. We believe things that are not true. As you may know, a “meme” is a belief (a disputable opinion or view) which
functions like a virus of the mind (because of our ego-need for validation we seek to spread it). Then some people, meme machines, who are in the
business of hosting and spreading memes and doing it professionally for a living. This is the business we call “the media” and they claim their
opinions and views are more valid or truthful. However, what they are really selling are just ideas, (memes) which are mere beliefs and not truth per
se. In turn, we choose memes to host (lies to believe) that server our own self interest. Notice how your own beliefs have changes over time? Now ask
yourself, are you more “right” now than you were a few years ago? Is anyone? or have we all just exchanged old memes for new ones? Clearly, the
Truth hasn't changed, be we have. That struggle to know what the Truth doesn't end does it, so what does that tell you about the nature of Truth? It
tell me we may get closer and closer to the Truth, but only by seeing the lies, dropping those sacred beliefs (wants we cling to), and by rejecting
false authority.
The fact is we don’t know what Truth is. That is because Truth is all knowledge, and no one can have a full grasp of everything or a perfect
knowledge or complete understanding. All we can do is admit what we don’t know and empty ourselves of beliefs, views, wanting, and quarling—but
who does this? Certainly not those who are in the business of selling “news” products and services. For them beliefs/memes/lies are their bread
and butter. It matters not if these opinion are correct/good or the views are wrong/bad, what matters is if they can be sold to meme machines (for
money) in the marketplace of ideas.
Now here is the twist, when you put a bunch of these meme machines (people) together and you get a Super Organism (a social structure). The Super
Organism has it’s own set of lies or false believes which must be accepted as Truth. Meme machines often know these views/opinions are in fact lies,
but because human beings are accustom to hosting lies (false beliefs) they fall into cognitive dissonance. It become easier to accept the consensus
reality of a Super Organism then remain independent and free. In short, they sell out and find comfort belonging to a Super Organism. Why? Because
that is where they get the validation they desire most. Validation does not mean truth, it simply means feeling good about one’s self—getting an
ego boost by belonging to something bigger than yourself. Being part of a family you lost or never really had. The effect this has on the thinking of
the individual is much the same as being under the influence of a cult, you dare not leave because you would lose too much.
The driving force of the Super Organism is the same as the driving force of any individual meme machines —survival, security and validation. A
person who goes from being an individual meme machine to being member of a group/cult/bortherhood gets an emotional pay-off because they feel like
they belong—that their life has purpose. Every individual ego wants to survive the death of the body, to have some expectation of security, and feel
good. Same goes for the Super Organism (i.e., the body politic), and it will sacrifice any individual meme machine (individual) to survive! The
amazing thing is how many meme machines become “true believers” in the body politic and will throw themselves under the bus for the Super Organism
or cult to which they “feel” they belong.
The news media, like government itself, is a Super Organism made up of individual meme machines (reporters), and those meme machines serve that Super
Organism. They are what Eric Hoffer called “True Believers” of the body politic. They see themselves as part of the Establishment—the avant
garde. These people are in the "truth telling" business, but they know where their bread is buttered. It is their source of security and validation.
They are invested in lies—because that pays the bills and makes them feel good. When face with corruption they lack the courage to speak out. The
cost of doing so would be to great. This forces them to become “True Believers” and as such they see corruption as means to an end for both
themselves and for the Super Organism with which they identify and are loyal to. Ironically, in this process, “True Believers” often lose their
individuality and seek validation even above their own security and survival so that in the end they will die for the lie.
This is what humanity must unlearn if we are species is to endure the next few generations. This awareness is the Big Shift, and in my view that is
what the world is going through right now.
edit on 30-4-2012 by wasaka because: updated
edit on 30-4-2012 by wasaka because: added Eric Hoffer reference