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:
Crowds don't think, they emote and feel strong group consciousness.
Agreed. Crowds don't think. But they can stimulate individuals to.
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
Of course that can happen. Indeed, is happening.
Kaor, Paul!
So I remain skeptical of "mass action."
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
I regularly participate in it.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Good, if that's what rows your boat.
Ad astra! Sean
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