(The below is taken from a naïve viewpoint of politicians and corporate behavior – knowing full-well greed and power are known factors, but for argument’s sake, let us pretend both are on the level, and 100% mean to do the ‘right’ thing)
I know many people; from various walks of life, from various philosophical persuasions, from various religions – but do you know one thing that breaks down all barriers? No, it isn’t love. It is fear.
Fear pushes those from all different perspectives to align into a monolithic way of thinking. It allows people to become a part of a “Mass Formation”. This great phycological experiment of the last two years has truly demonstrated this.
Never before in this or last generation have we been able to unite in aggression against a single entity, that we change the way people think of ethical behavior.
Many of you have opinions, likely based in fear of what you’ve read, been told, or otherwise believe regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic. Indeed, I have many ‘opinions’ about how this has been handled and have probably shared them with you in the past. One thing that has stuck out to me is the willingness to do things we otherwise would question simply because we’re afraid.
Indeed, if we accept as many have that this disease is incredibly deadly (which it absolutely can be) and that contracting it is a death sentence, I too would sacrifice many ‘freedoms’ to preserve life almost at any cost. While many friends, family, and people I admire have suffered and even died of this virus, the cold data represents something far less worrisome. This isn’t a post to ‘convince’ people of anything, but I hope it causes people to reflect.
I now live in a world where if you don’t get a needle inserted into you and injected with a substance that to date has only been tested en masse for 18 months, you are not welcome to participate in many aspects of society – including providing for yourself and/or your family. The reasoning is clear – we are afraid of people who do not get this medicine because we suspect that those without it could be a threat to our way of life or life itself, regardless of whether or not we ourselves have accepted this medicine.
The rational is difficult to argue. Leaders we elect feel it is their duty to protect their constituents lives at all costs. It matters not how this divides us, how it affects us, how it changes us – all that matters is life at all costs. If I believe this medicine was the almighty cure I’ve been told in spite of numerous data points, I may even be swayed to execute these orders myself. It’s only logical, right? We must do this, it is our civic duty to get injections when we’re told for the betterment of our fellow man.
Let me just say, regardless of your convictions on this topic, we really need to look long-term on the precedent this sets for our future. Arguably, this medicine should help many people and typically does. I am very glad it exists and am grateful to the pharmaceutical companies who’s researchers worked diligently to create it. That isn’t my concern. As much distrust I have due to the historical blights on that industry, I am very glad they at least appear to be trying to help humanity in this instance.
But just remember this moment. The moment you condemned so many for not simply wanting to get an injection to better humanity. Remember the next time a multi-billion-dollar government-backed initiative comes around for something else and regardless of the legitimate concerns you may have, you are told to simply do what you’re told and be injected with yet another substance…
Remember this time. Remember.
I, Roediger 