Guilt, Shame and Groupthink

Moving through the psychology of guilt vs Shame, and onto the societal implications of a shame-based or guilt-based culture, invoking Max Weber's "Protestant Work Ethic" as roots for our meritocracy, Hannah Arendt and Timothy Snyder's texts on the Nazi occupations and how people not only obeyed in advance, but used words to distance themselves from reality. This is linked to the American South, and the desire to avert shame or guilt of self through cultural constructions that benefit some while shaming others.

https://letusthinkaboutit.com/step-22-guilt-shame--group-think/

2:48 Social pressure uses Shame/Guilt to normalize behaviors, which is better than more laws.

5:01 Protestant Ideals: "Your Wee wee is from the devil"

7:23 Down with the Hierarchy! Don't obey him, obey me!

10:03 Shame leads to Rage: "it is not people that have passions, but passions that have people."

11:58 groupthink belief machine

16:06 "Their ideology ruined their relationship with reality"

18:02 Driven into toxic social groups through guilt, shame and a lack of forgiveness, people offer unwavering loyalty for guilt absolution.

20:44 Guilt and shame isolate people, for acceptance they pledge loyalty to toxic tribes.