Isn't It Obvious?

What's Obvious?

It's clear that we're all worn out by the divisions, the frustration, the anger, and our isolation in a sea of madness that few people acknowledge. But what's obvious? It's the fact that there are vastly different perspectives on what's considered obvious.

Historical Perspective

In 1967, during the Vietnam War, psychiatrist and author R.D. Laing observed that what was obvious to President Lyndon Johnson - that the war had to be prosecuted to avoid the Democratic party losing congressional seats in the 1968 election for appearing "soft on Communism" - was not obvious to those suffering as collateral damage for political maneuvering in Washington D.C.

The Cycle of Socio-Economic-Political Disintegration-Integration

Historian Peter Turchin has shown that the cycle of socio-economic-political disintegration-integration lasts about fifty years. Turchin received criticism for predicting that the handbasket would start its slide into chaos in 2020, and it seems he was right.

The Chasm of Perception

There are many things that are obvious, but what's equally clear is the abyss separating what's obvious to each individual. This abyss is virtually bottomless, with no bridges or common ground. As a result, friendships, which are the adhesive of sociability and the foundation of our well-being, are thrown into the abyss with furious abandon.

The End of the Debt-Speculation Super-Cycle

Having lived through the last cycle of turmoil, discord, and disintegration, it's clear to some that we're in another such cycle. However, this is hotly contested by many who are banking on The Everything Bubble never bursting.

The Merging of Mass Media and Social Media

It's clear to some that mass media and social media have merged. All media players and content creators now share the same source of income, leading to a Darwinian competition for engagement (attention, emotional investment) on an unprecedented scale. This scale is a power-law scale where the few winners at the very top collect the majority of the winnings, and the 99% are left to pick up the crumbs.

The Darwinian Competition

The tools needed to win this Darwinian competition include addiction, clickbait, emotional lassos, and echo chambers. The goal is to make devices and endless scrolling addictive, feature sensationalized clickbait headlines, ensnare the unsuspecting with emotional lassos, and espouse shared beliefs to fellow true believers with ecstatic enthusiasm.

The Result of This Savage Arena

So, isn't it clear where this is heading? Is this brutal arena a healthy environment? Or is it driving everyone who enters it mad? What happens to those who are lassoed, addicted, and ensnared? The chart of loneliness sheds light on the inevitable result of making derangement the most profitable activity.

Walking Past the Arena

As some have insightfully pointed out, every individual who tries to walk past the arena is met by 100,000 well-paid, intelligent, highly motivated hawkers coaxing them to enter. And so, we find ourselves exhausted by the divisions, the frustration, the anger, and our loneliness in a sea of madness that few people acknowledge.

Bottom Line

While it's easy to get caught up in the addictive, dopamine-inducing world of social media, it's important to remember the potential consequences. The divisions, frustration, and loneliness that can result from this digital arena are all too real. What are your thoughts on this subject? Share this article with your friends and see what they think. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.