Monday 5 August 2024

Ancient Ape?

Mirkheim, XIII.

Sandra Tamarin, probable next Grand Duchess of Hermes, comes upon a Liberation Front rally:

"...she felt with shocking suddenness that there was nothing as powerful as a meeting of flesh with eye, voice with ear, body packed close to body. Then the ancient ape awoke. Briefly, sardonically went through her the thought that perhaps this was why Kindred and Followers went in for so much pageantry." (p. 188)

"...ancient ape awoke...": Anderson's admirable alliteration. That phrase, "ancient ape," recalls the efforts of the Psychotechnic Institute in Poul Anderson's first future history series. The Institute tries to overcome the ancient ape and there is eventual success much later in the history. 

We are not apes in crowds and sapiens when alone. We can think when together. In fact, we do think when together. Thought is internalized speech as guilt is internalized shame and meditation is internalized consciousness. We would be mere apes if we were not socialized. Within social interactions, there can be  unique individuality as against merely animal responses.

See also Who Proposes?

7 comments:

S.M. Stirling said...

Crowds don't think, they emote and feel strong group consciousness.

paulshackley2017@gmail.com said...

Agreed. Crowds don't think. But they can stimulate individuals to.

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

Or those individuals can seize the opportunity to be demagogues whipping up these crowds to do what they want the mobs to do.

Ad astra! Sean

paulshackley2017@gmail.com said...

Of course that can happen. Indeed, is happening.

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

So I remain skeptical of "mass action."

Ad astra! Sean

paulshackley2017@gmail.com said...

Sean,

I regularly participate in it.

Paul.

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

Good, if that's what rows your boat.

Ad astra! Sean