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OwnedByCats

(805 posts)

108. A man in the UK

Wed Apr 17, 2013, 04:10 PM

Apr 2013

known as Derren Brown, who is an illusionist, did a program about mind control and how some people can be manipulated to perform things they would never ordinarily do. He had some people do the Milgram Experiment, most had never heard of it before. I was surprised, both in the original experiment and Derren's show, that people would just go on shocking people with electricity just because a scientist in a white coat told them to. There is no way I would agree to do anything like that, most especially as my life was not being threatened. Derren did say that not everyone can be so easily led, so he chose people based on who he thought would be the most cooperative. It still baffles me how anyone could deliver what they believed could be lethal shocks to another person. I just don't get it.

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Authoritarianism is a sickness. [View all] cthulu2016 Apr 2013 OP

And the best research was reported by a lifelong Republican, turned Independant. longship Apr 2013 #1

He signed a book for me when he spoke with Michael Moore at Wadsworth Theater pinboy3niner Apr 2013 #9

Bob Altemeyer's book The Authoritarians is available free online. backscatter712 Apr 2013 #77

Authoritarianism is one end of a continuum with the opposite geek tragedy Apr 2013 #2

Nazis and Stalinists on one end. People who pretty much don't exist on the other end. cthulu2016 Apr 2013 #3

Yes, but paradoxically any workable system has to include elements geek tragedy Apr 2013 #5

Those nations aren't examples of anarchy. Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #13

And let's not forget... Luminous Animal Apr 2013 #19

Wouldn't dare ... Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #20

I've read this little book called geek tragedy Apr 2013 #22

In the context of this discussion it is an incorrect use for a word that has many meanings Dragonfli Apr 2013 #32

Oh dear, you've confused yourself so much that you're arguing with yourself. geek tragedy Apr 2013 #37

You still don't understand the context, or how I did not "argue with myself" Dragonfli Apr 2013 #42

Authoritarianism is more than a belief system--it is a real world practice and phenomenon. geek tragedy Apr 2013 #64

Would you say that there are no authoritarian structures in Somalia? Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #103

For the umpteenth time, I'm really not interested in discussing anarchism. geek tragedy Apr 2013 #104

It appears that you're not even interested in defending your own context, either. Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #105

Again, I am incorrect only if I accept your definition of anarchy geek tragedy Apr 2013 #106

You're incorrect according to the context you provided in your original assertion. Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #107

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. Sorry that it chafes you that I won't submit geek tragedy Apr 2013 #110

Applying dictionary definitions ... Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #44

I am not interested in your 'counting angels on the head geek tragedy Apr 2013 #48

I'm not interested in your ignorance, either ... Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #60

You're conflating anarchism the theory and anarchy as it exists in the real world. geek tragedy Apr 2013 #61

Yet, you haven't read anything I've provided Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #81

"which is not a synonym for chaos or disorder, according to application or theory" geek tragedy Apr 2013 #87

You're arguing anarchy with an authoritarian. Your head will stop hurting once you quit Egalitarian Thug Apr 2013 #54

No, he's arguing anarchy with a non-anarchist. You use the term "authoritarian" geek tragedy Apr 2013 #63

No, I am very familiar with what you've written on a variety of topics and the positions you Egalitarian Thug Apr 2013 #71

Yes, you disagree with what I write therefore I am an authoritarian. geek tragedy Apr 2013 #73

You might have noticed that I didn't reply to you, I offered Fantastic Anarchist some friendly Egalitarian Thug Apr 2013 #78

Heh, you interpret disagrement as "attempts to exercise your own imagined authority." geek tragedy Apr 2013 #80

I think that I should have taken your advice. It is greatly appreciated. Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #85

It's easy to get wrapped up in it. I usually do it myself, but life has recently compelled me Egalitarian Thug Apr 2013 #94

Much peace to you, as well. Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #99

A Teabagger uses the term socialism completely out of context. Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #83

Anarchists do not have the exclusive authority and power to define the word 'anarchy' geek tragedy Apr 2013 #90

Ahh, didn't you just chastise someone else for them calling you an authoritarian? Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #92

I didn't say you were authoritarian, I said that asserting one's own viewpoint geek tragedy Apr 2013 #96

Sigh ... Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #100

Thanks for the book recommendation Shankapotomus Apr 2013 #55

It's an extremely great read. Way ahead of his time. Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #93

Linear social and cultural constructs are usually so simplistic as to be false. Hissyspit Apr 2013 #10

You're saying anarchism is on the same continuum as authoritarianism? Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #11

What's on the opposite end of whatever continuum geek tragedy Apr 2013 #12

Bonus Bonus Question: Where are you getting that Somalia is "anarchy?" Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #17

Somalia fits the definition of the word "anarchy" as it is understood geek tragedy Apr 2013 #23

With all due respect, It is only understood that way by stupid or uneducated people Dragonfli Apr 2013 #27

Yes, only stupid people associate words with their commonly understood meaning geek tragedy Apr 2013 #34

You don't even understand the context of the discussion do you? Dragonfli Apr 2013 #43

Had I been talking about the academic definition geek tragedy Apr 2013 #50

No, it is not understood that way by the English-speaking world. Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #45

I understand the No True Scotsman logical fallacy you are geek tragedy Apr 2013 #47

No one is applying the "No True Scotsman logical fallacy" ... Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #79

What you do not understand is that anarchy is not dependent upon the geek tragedy Apr 2013 #82

No, you don't understand that anarchy doesn't apply to Somalia. Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #91

There is order in Somalia? geek tragedy Apr 2013 #95

Are you being obtuse? Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #101

Excuse my butting in here Shankapotomus Apr 2013 #57

Psychologically, it's simply a personality trait Marr Apr 2013 #36

As used in psychology, it's heavily infused with political and cultural assumptions. geek tragedy Apr 2013 #39

Yeah, They align with whatever represents the traditional power structure... Marr Apr 2013 #40

I think there has been generous discussion Shankapotomus Apr 2013 #4

That was called WWII. Occulus Apr 2013 #6

One of my favorite flowcharts of Left vs. Right... derby378 Apr 2013 #7

The only thing they are truly experts on would be the dynamics of slack Dragonfli Apr 2013 #24

Created by child abuse. Gregorian Apr 2013 #8

Ceausescu? n/t backscatter712 Apr 2013 #14

Yep. vanlassie Apr 2013 #33

+1,000,000,000!!! backscatter712 Apr 2013 #15

Corporatism and authoritarianism go hand in hand. woo me with science Apr 2013 #16

Exactly. Fantastic Anarchist Apr 2013 #18

Terribly true TheKentuckian Apr 2013 #30

US authoritarian politicians are apparently more likely to be conservative, and be republicans. Zorra Apr 2013 #86

I had a professor once during my college days... KansDem Apr 2013 #98

I believe the authoritarian is a child that fears that their own lack of impulse control is the Egalitarian Thug Apr 2013 #21

Most nu-dems and third wayers infesting this board are rabid authoritarians whatchamacallit Apr 2013 #25

Don't think it's just that myself, TBH. AverageJoe90 Apr 2013 #29

What would you characterize as an authoritarian, non-Third Way sort of post? Marr Apr 2013 #38

That's funny... Bobbie Jo Apr 2013 #56

Ha, if contributing money and voting for the man twice whatchamacallit Apr 2013 #58

dehumanizing rhetoric shows which side you're on carolinayellowdog Apr 2013 #62

Indeed. Bobbie Jo Apr 2013 #68

Game, set, match. geek tragedy Apr 2013 #75

invasion, not infestation, is what it feels like carolinayellowdog Apr 2013 #67

Not true at all treestar Apr 2013 #69

Personally, I think the president mostly does whatchamacallit Apr 2013 #70

Yeah right. treestar Apr 2013 #72

"Infesting" is a dehumanizing term, itself a hallmark of authoritarian thought. geek tragedy Apr 2013 #74

Malignant Narcissism lunatica Apr 2013 #26

Ever since I read about the Milgram experiment, I agree. lumberjack_jeff Apr 2013 #28

A man in the UK OwnedByCats Apr 2013 #108

Yes. nt Zorra Apr 2013 #31

how dare you bring this topic up on DU? do you want the Republicans to win? MNBrewer Apr 2013 #35

The human element mick063 Apr 2013 #41

Sadomasochistic elements described by Erich Fromm carolinayellowdog Apr 2013 #46

Your excellent post reminds me of the times I have seen support for idea of 'benevolent dictators' pampango Apr 2013 #51

thanks for your excellent original post; I was merely quoting Erich Fromm carolinayellowdog Apr 2013 #59

From you excellent post TM99 Apr 2013 #89

thanks for the titles suggestions; I've been an admirer based on secondary sources carolinayellowdog Apr 2013 #102

Ask 5 people what it means, and we get eleven different answers LanternWaste Apr 2013 #49

Yep. nt redqueen Apr 2013 #52

Just like "socialism" would be used on Free Republic. geek tragedy Apr 2013 #65

Thank You. For some any authority impinging on someone's right to do anything they please KittyWampus Apr 2013 #66

Yes it is, and one of the worst aspects, as with many sicknesses, is that people who have it... slackmaster Apr 2013 #53

. snagglepuss Apr 2013 #76

I would label it a mind virus, like evangelical Christianity and Fundamentalist anything Taverner Apr 2013 #84

Fundamentalism is definitely a mind virus. Initech Apr 2013 #97

I prefer Altemeyer's definition of authoritarianism. backscatter712 Apr 2013 #88

Parents often pass authoritarianism onto their children. hunter Apr 2013 #109

all my siblings are as anti-authoritarian as I, which fits the historical legacy carolinayellowdog Apr 2013 #111