[Arisbe] prestige and anonymity

[Jon Awbrey]

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Tom Golier wrote:
> 
> Jon,
> 
>    The recent revival of interest in Hannah Arendt got me looking
> at *Eichmann in Jerusalem*, the "banality of evil", and wondering
> how many bureaucrats today might be convicted of crimes  similar
> (in kind if not quantity) today.  But I think you hit a key point
> in all this when you say:
> 
> > it's  one where being in the club -- the "cabal" -- and carrying
> > the club does not depend  on much of anything but the readiness
> > to defend it, right or wrong.
> 
> There's a huge difference between organizations that are concerned
> with accomplishing specific objectives (there are a few still out
> there, I think) and organizations whose overriding objective
> is their own survival or enhancment. That subtle change in
> orientation changes, or should I say "ruins", everything.
> 
> Tom

yes, the critical transition point at which that
"subtle change in orientation" occurs is exactly
the thing i've been trying to come to grips with.
the best that i can tell, an important factor in
the changeover is the point when needing to stay
a part of the group causes one to distort his or
her perceptions, and to do things that he or she
would once have considered reprrhensible.  it is
always hard to realize the power of the need for
affiliation until one sees its effects occurring
time and time again, in otherwise decent people.

jon

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