IT'S NOT JUST A GAME ANYMORE
There's an adamant refusal, built into human nature, to look to our own faults. The typical human's attention is turned outward, and that's where we perceive wrongful things - out there: in the words and deeds of the others.
The republicans blame the democrats, and vice-versa. The atheists blame the religious, and vice-versa. Men blame women and women blame men. It's been my observation that, when looking to assign blame, we tend to look outward.
When do we look to ourselves? When do you look to yourself for errors in your own way of thinking and doing and being? Ask yourself: How often does that really happen? Then, answer truthfully. If you can make a habit of asking this question and answering truthfully, you'll see amazing changes in your attitude over time.
Again, it's human nature. A big part of it is wrapped up in what the Buddhists call ego, and it's not terribly different from Freud's version of ego[1]. This natural tendency, to look outward for the causes of our problems, has been turned against us by people who crave power for themselves. It can only be overcome with conscious effort.
Freud's nephew, Edward Bernays, was among the first to harness the power of ego to capitalist purposes, starting around the period of World War I. Since then the techniques have been expanded upon and, in modern times, have reached a disturbing level of effectiveness[2].
It's important to note that information flows not only through words, but through actions and tones of voice and dozens of other subtleties we humans are not naturally geared to notice. Observe closely the next time a news pundit rails on the party opposite his own. Observe his choice of words; listen to his voice, inflection; read his non-verbal cues. He's not only communicating with language! His very attitude is a subtle manipulator that guides your way of thinking about what he's saying.
Of course he's right and they are wrong! His passion makes that clear - but notice that he, too, refuses to express self-reflection in any way. His job is to keep your attention on the enemy! Therein lies the problem! That's who you must blame!
And yet, might your "enemy" be simply another scared, pressured individual human who has been deceived by his own set of pundits? Is he not suffering just as you are? Look to your pundits with a critical mind. The definition of pundit is as follows: "A source of opinion; a critic."
How can you accept the assessments of a pundit you have not assessed carefully yourself?
What I'm speaking of here is not about who's right and who is wrong. That question can not be well-answered because it's a trick question. The trick is to keep you arguing - distracted - while the proverbial hand relieves you of your wallet.
Power, in today's terms, is represented by money. The real enemy consists of those who actively work to gain and hoard it. If we don't begin to see this soon, there's little hope for our way of life. All capitalist ventures value profit over human needs; short-term gains over long-term stability.
The tendency is toward deterioration of infrastructure and a serious lack of social and economic workability. Yet, those in power are those with the money to finance political campaigns and control media. To wit: those who control law, policy, and national dialogues. They're certainly not going to use their power against themselves!
How, then, do we proceed?
No progress can be made while lies are accepted as truth. We must become discerning. We must look beyond the reasoning provided by the system - the very system that is crushing us! - and see power for what it truly is. Power requires public support. Is it possible that you are unknowingly supporting oppressive power centers? Might blaming those who aren't directly at fault be hurting, rather than helping, you?
Are you able even to ask such a question of yourself? Is it already "obvious" that you're right and they are wrong? That your side is good while theirs is bad? Is it absolutely impossible that you're being deceived in any way? Is the matter is settled? If so, I suggest you read up on self-serving bias. I'm certain the propagandists of the day know it well, and know well how to use it against you.
I submit that there are many such tricks available in the public relations repertoire. If you think they won't use such tricks to deceive you, it's partly because you refuse to look to your own part in part problems.
Only by understanding and addressing our own problems - whether in a family, a community, a nation, or a political party - can we find ways to make better systems, societies, and nations.
References
1) Advice Not Given ; Quora: What is the difference between freudian ego and buddhism ego? ; The Buddhist Freud | Applied Buddhism
2) 10 Ways That Freud’s Nephew Duped Us All (And Still Does) ; The Century of the Self (Full Documentary) - YouTube ; Chomsky on Edward Bernays Father of Propaganda
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