Happy Festival of Popular Delusions Day

[owlmoose]

Yes, really. Isn't it beautiful?

Unfortunately the name is more appealing than the reality -- the "holiday" was first "celebrated" in Germany, on June 5th, 1945, to recognize the "popular delusion" that Germany would one day conquer the world. But I'm still happy that a commemorative day with this name exists.

Your weird holiday reporter, checking in.

Comments

a small selection of delusions

[giandujabird.livejournal.com]

In recognition of this holiday, I propose we develop a list enumerating favorite or well-known delusions. A few for starters:

* the war on drugs
* that global warming is a delusion
* that parents always know best
* that their children always know better

Re: a small selection of delusions

[auronlu.livejournal.com]

•constant growth is good.

I am repeatedly struck by the fact that the Egyptians perceived repetition, stability, and consistency as the way the world worked when everything was going well; change was anathema.

Too much of that attitude produces stagnation, but it explains the longevity of their art styles, writing, language, gods, culture, and much else about them.

Whereas in the western world we're obsessed with growth. Not necessarily ALWAYS evil, but not the absolute good that people (especially economists) seem to think. WHY must the gross national product and economy be continually growing? Our planet and raw materials are finite!

I've run into an illogical yet compelling theory in depth/Jungian psychology that not only are an individual's physical and psychological states linked (psychosomatic doesn't mean "imaginary," it means that body and soul are linked and each affects the other), but that the same holds at the societal level. So right now cancer is rampant because our society is locked into an "unlimited growth" mentality.

Re: a small selection of delusions

[owlmoose.livejournal.com]

I've run into an illogical yet compelling theory in depth/Jungian psychology that not only are an individual's physical and psychological states linked (psychosomatic doesn't mean "imaginary," it means that body and soul are linked and each affects the other), but that the same holds at the societal level. So right now cancer is rampant because our society is locked into an "unlimited growth" mentality.

You know, while this isn't likely to be *literally* true, it's still an interesting thought. Especially inasmuch as cancer is often thought to be linked to the number of chemicals in our environment, and toxic environments are often a consequence of unchecked economic growth. Hm.

I

[kunstarniki.livejournal.com]

I nominate the delusion that creation "science" is a valid alternative to evolution.

Re: I

[giandujabird.livejournal.com]

Agreed! Also its corollary, intelligent design.

And I nearly forgot:

* racial purity
* ethnic purity

Re: I

[owlmoose.livejournal.com]

Ooh, good one. Especially when coupled with the belief that it's a perfectly good idea to teach creationism in schools.

I

[kunstarniki.livejournal.com]

After reading the report yesterday from the CDC, I would like to suggest another delusion:

Telling adolescents that abstinence is the only way to go will decrease sexual activity in hormonally driven young people.