The quest for authority figures

[IronWing]

I've noticed a disturbing trend in American society (I can't speak to other societies) in which folks seek out authority figures concerning personal actions or decisions that any competent adult should be able to take based solely on the fact that they are (supposed to be) adults.

There seems to be a lack of self confidence that leads to morass and inaction.

 

[norseamd]

this has always happened in american culture. think aobut custer being the white man cultured gentleman to fronteir folk or mccarthy in 1950s america.

 

[moonbogg]

Did you notice the trend in American society, or was it something you noticed based on people you have come into contact with? Sometimes we mistake a local phenomenon as being a widespread one. For instance, if someone knows 5 adults that are like that, then they may assume that most adults are like that.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Yes, a segment of people are authoritarians.

 

[piasabird]

I disconnected my Cable a while back. Most American TV Really disgusts me. The best thing to disconnect from is the Hollywood idiots. Not watching TV could become the new trend in American Culture. I still watch programs I like if they interest me. I tend to watch a lot of Korean shows with sub-titles. Even some of the Chinese shows are getting better.

 

[OverVolt]

Yup. Alot of factors play into this.

 

[PowerEngineer]

Actually, I wonder if the trend isn't in the other direction. I'm always amazed at how readily people get swept up into all kinds of conspiracy theories which inevitably require total distrust of the everybody in authority and/or knowledgeable experts.

Just the most recent example:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/18/us-medical-conspiracies-idUSBREA2H22K20140318

 

[norseamd]

Actually, I wonder if the trend isn't in the other direction. I'm always amazed at how readily people get swept up into all kinds of conspiracy theories which inevitably require total distrust of the everybody in authority and/or knowledgeable experts.

Just the most recent example:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/18/us-medical-conspiracies-idUSBREA2H22K20140318

believe U.S. regulators prevent people from getting natural cures

not a conspiracy theory.

there would be a lot to talk about with the fda or the fcc. ever heard of stevia? even christopher kimball makes fun of the fda.

 

[justoh]

not ANOTHER religion thread

Yeah, generally people (everywhere) prefer submission to some authority to thinking for themselves. Not a trend. Professing some disregard for a particular authority figure or exhibiting behavior which seems to disregard this apparently natural and unconscious predisposition in certain cases where any individual figure is involved does not contradict this general proposition/observation, because it's actually a different/separate observation and irrelevant.

 

[chucky2]

I've noticed a disturbing trend in American society (I can't speak to other societies) in which folks seek out authority figures concerning personal actions or decisions that any competent adult should be able to take based solely on the fact that they are (supposed to be) adults.

There seems to be a lack of self confidence that leads to morass and inaction.

What I've noticed is that there seems to be this validation craze. People need to feel validated that what they believe (naturally or through indoctrination) is the real truth. So they seek authority figures to confirm this for them. It matters not if these authority figures are merely authority figures because they're Hollywood, Religious, Politicians, Professors, etc. So deep is their yearning to be validated they'll reach and grasp at anything. Bonus points if it's the official message.

 

[OverVolt]

What I've noticed is that there seems to be this validation craze. People need to feel validated that what they believe (naturally or through indoctrination) is the real truth. So they seek authority figures to confirm this for them. It matters not if these authority figures are merely authority figures because they're Hollywood, Religious, Politicians, Professors, etc. So deep is their yearning to be validated they'll reach and grasp at anything. Bonus points if it's the official message.

I've noticed this too ah interesting. I was thinking more along the lines of social media but hollywood as well.

Its fascinating... a new social phenomenon in the modern times. Everyone always seeks some sort of validation but the crazed degree of it in public is whats new. It used to be people wanted their fathers approval, it seems people now want the entire worlds approval for what they had for breakfast and heard on the news yesterday.

Hey guys, did you see my awesome BACON breakfast!? Geez I'm so sick of the snow. Plz like!

 

[MongGrel]

I've noticed a disturbing trend in American society (I can't speak to other societies) in which folks seek out authority figures concerning personal actions or decisions that any competent adult should be able to take based solely on the fact that they are (supposed to be) adults.

There seems to be a lack of self confidence that leads to morass and inaction.

I don't know where you;re from but personally I've gotten in trouble a telling people to just fuck off over the years.

But I'm an old baby boomer type former Marine, to be honest the PC shit that goes on these days seems to be breeding sheep.

I've a couple mid 20's guys I work with talk a lot of shit and living with their mothers with kids and wives that have divorced them living away from them.

Bit pathetic, seeing as the can't seem to figure out why their wives divorced them to begin with and are mostly loud mouthed stupid kids.

 

[OverVolt]

I don't know where you;re from but personally I've gotten in trouble a telling people to just fuck off over the years.

But I'm an old baby boomer type former Marine, to be honest the PC shit that goes on these days seems to be breeding sheep.

I've a couple mid 20's guys I work with talk a lot of shit and living with their mothers with kids and wives that have divorced them living away from them.

Bit pathetic, seeing as the can't seem to figure out why their wives divorced them to begin with and are mostly loud mouthed stupid kids.

Oh oh oh, me me! Divorced because they live at home and can't provide!? I'm 25 yay I have it figured out.

Not many people my age do...The thought of having to provide is too daunting. The birthrate is plummeting for a reason. Nobody is willing to sacrifice their vidya games and Lexus for chores and independence.

 

[MongGrel]

That's half the problem, people that are 25 and think thy have it all figured out of course.

 

[OverVolt]

That's half the problem, people that are 25 and think thy have it all figured out of course.

 

[chucky2]

What are you guys talking about? Of course they have it figured out. Their friends agree with them as they nod their heads up and down at each other, agreeing that "everyone" agrees, their <insert authority figure> validates that topic, which just reinforces how amazingly smart they are, and LOL, someone famous just said f*cking while going on a rant (mock or otherwise) that they too agree with.

How can you get more figured out than that? In their world, they're golden...it's everyone else who is mentally beneath them that doesn't get it.