Topic: Politics
Glenn Beck's Herd

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Belief in trickle down good from government being caused by strong feelings is the fallacy of the herd.

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by Jahfre Fire Eater
(libertarian)
Monday, March 30, 2009

In this article at the New York Times , David Frum is quoted as describing the Glenn Beck Show in the following way:

"It's a show for people who feel they belong to an embattled minority that is disenfranchised and cut off."

I certainly agree with Mr. Frum on that. The Glenn Beck Show is a salt-lick where the herd of self proclaimed victims who identify with Mr. Frum's description of them, gather to moo in unison. Mr. Beck seems to appeal to a generally more moderate herd than the ignorant and violence-promoting, fear-spewing Alex Jones Show / Info Wars / Prison Planet broadcasts.

Let's take a closer look at the description from Mr. Frum.
1. "a show for" - Yes, this is a show with a target audience. Beck and his backers know who the audience is. The audience, apparently doesn't get it at all. Thus Beck's popularity.

2. "people who feel" - Yes, Glenn Beck is all about getting the TARGET audience to act on their feelings (primarily fear, of course), not on facts or real-world circumstances or any analysis of outcomes that are likely to result from their fear-based herd behavior. As icky nasty as that tactic is in my book, it still isn't the worst part. The worst part is that Beck simultaneously undermines individual initiatives to promote effective behavior outside the herd. This is because effective, empowered individuals would not join his herd so he must undermine their momentum at all costs. Their behavior contradicts the behavior he needs from his TARGET audience.

3. "they belong to an embattled minority" - Yes, absolutely. Those who struggle to defend liberty know no respite. Embattled is the right word; minority is also the right word. The problem is that Beck's TARGET audience has abandoned the battle and sought out a herd to shield them from being the most effective minority, a minority of one. The group-think that underlies this self-avowed membership in a brotherhood of victims is disgusting. When it is done, enmass, by people who are constantly giving lip service to their dedication to liberty, is even worse.

4. "that is disenfranchised" - One by one, for reasons unique to each, the former individuals who comprise Beck's herd have stapled a "disenfranchised" label to their own foreheads.
What does that mean? Disenfranchised:to deprive of a franchise, of a legal right, or of some privilege or immunity ; especially : to deprive of the right to vote.
The way I see it, individuals choose self-marginalizing political behavior then claim that they are disenfranchised and I have no pity for them whatsoever. If one wants different consequences then one must choose different behavior. It is that simple. Instead, they want some "rodeo clown" to get them to feel better about the consequences they have chosen individually and now commiserate over as a herd.

5. and finally, "and cut off." - Yep, the former individuals who comprise Beck's herd spent some significant portion of their lives paddling to a tiny island; now that they have arrived, they claim their right to the bounty of the mainland has been denied. Just more whining from the oh-poor-me, the-world-doesn't-work-the-way-I-wish-it-did-so-I'm-self-righteously-indignant crowd and the my-feelings-are-so-strong-that-everyone-must-yield-to-them crowd.

All this group-think and herd forming by self-described victims shores up my belief that ours is a crumbling empire. It also reinforces my views that:

1. We still have a long way to fall politically and economically.
2. We'll do it more rapidly than any of the dozens of historical examples even suggest is possible.
3. There are frighteningly few individuals who are preparing for a world that is not run by opposing herds of strong-feeling bovines.

As long as this kind of herd philosophy is culturally acceptable, we deserve to continue in our decline. This must be learned before recovery is possible...no empire in history has learned this, or recovered to their former glory. Not a single one.

The most effective behavior one can exhibit is to promote your values in the community where you live. The further away from home you aim the less effective your efforts both in the short term and the long run. Anything you think you cannot accomplish without a herd is something you cannot accomplish. When it comes to being politically effective, respecting geography amplifies your input. Stay home, do good. Sound government and political integrity trickle up from strong local communities; they cannot trickle down. Belief in trickle down good from government being caused by strong feelings is the fallacy of the herd.

-Jahfre Fire Eater

©2009 Jahfre Fire Eater, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Monday, March 30, 2009
Last modified: Monday, March 30, 2009

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