In the world of specialisation, classes and many other social groups, it is easy to be prone to group thinking and bubble syndrome.
We find ourselves in exclusive communities, where everyone is agreeable and create an eco-chamber. Our lives become a reality and a manifestation of our adopted beliefs or simply those who have become ours by association with that specific ecosystem.
First, it must be emphasised that groups and communities are essential for a functional society.
It is a prerequisite for an inclusive and diverse society that appreciates a range of fundamental principles and values that may even be inherently part of diverse cultures and traditions. However, the problem is only when the exclusivity of such groups and communities becomes a nest of oblivion and insensitive to the wishes, aspirations and even sentiments of those who are not members of one’s community.
Although bubble and group thinking are a general societal issue, it is existentially more a significant issue when it comes to those who are entrusted with prominent leadership positions.
To be in such positions without being level-headed and lacking self-awareness may become a hindrance in meeting the aspirations of the masses.
It may lead to a loss of touch with reality and the needs of those that one represents.
This is highly likely to happen when one has surrounded themselves with those whose association with leadership is for personal interest and gratification, rather than those of the collective. Furthermore, the bubble syndrome may also be in the sphere of information. We have seen in recent times that perhaps for a long time, the world has been in the bubble created by the legacy media propaganda machine.
This has turned out that most people have become attached and avid followers of certain media houses to the point that they would believe anything they are told without questions.
This leads to the point that the spin doctors and activists parading as reporters have brainwashed these individuals to the point that they would believe what they are told even when their eyes see something different.
This puts them in the bubble that they would give up their critical thinking and intuitive inquiry, enough not to even pay attention to any other information that challenges their entrenched views.
This is albeit the ease of access to the availability of vast information sources with which they could do their due diligence to come to a thoughtful and independent conclusion.
The bubble syndrome, as trivial as it may seem, has a great adverse effect on humanity’s progress.
It becomes a manipulation tool for those who have seen its advantage for their benefit.
Politically, the bubble syndrome often creates division permeated not from logic but emotions.
It leads to the point that people become emotionally attached to their group or community, and do anything to defend it even when it is fundamentally going in the wrong direction.
However, when we have awareness of this pitfall, it becomes easy to retract and catch ourselves when we become susceptible to becoming its victims. Our conscience will give us the courage and strength to stand up to the group or community, and call it out.
We may do this even if we know that the cost may be heavy and painful.
For it is better to sacrifice ourselves for a greater good than lose sleep for loss of integrity and our fundamental values.
*Uncommon Sense is published bi-weekly in the New Era newspaper with contributions from Karlos Naimwhaka. YouTube channel: Karlos Lokos