Imagine for a moment being born into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Your life begins learning to worship the Dear Leader and ends fervently worshiping the Dear Leader. Suffering greatly through life over lack of food, hard work that isn't paid well, and authoritarian mismanagement that brings injustice to your life independent of your devotion. Many of these people really believe the Dear Leader is rightfully the Dear Leader and deserves the devotion. Some question it. Now, given the vast momentum of the system, there is very little chance that a person who sees through the nonsense can do anything to change it. It would almost certainly be better for ones mental health to be of those fortunate ones who never question. who repays his leader with kindness though he is mistreated. There is a slight chance that such devotion will bring opportunities for a slightly better life, but there's a whole lot of competition in the groveling space for a small amount of extra resources, and so the only guaranteed payoff is that of psychological well-being. Being at peace with the world, and your world includes the unquestioning loyalty to the DPRK leader, while starving, is certainly a better practical way to go than starve while also mentally dissatisfied, which also risks further suffering due to punishment.
There is little doubt that Mikes friend and this other guy who "questioned" for 26 years found peace returning to what they knew from childhood. And there are potentially hardships for those who leave the system they were born into. Even those strong enough to escape the DPRK don't necessarily find great lives for themselves outside of it. There is no clear grounds for celebrating the minds of those with the capacity to question origins and doubt propaganda. Some with a humanist bent may find heroism here, but I think it's complicated. I do think that for those who may be unfortunate or fortunate enough that they need to know the truth -- do not confuse such people with 'truthers' or necessarily associate them with self-described skeptics -- there just isn't an option for returning to the crib that keeps Mike's friend so snuggly and warm. Even at great cost to mental health.
Imagine for a moment being born into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Your life begins learning to worship the Dear Leader and ends fervently worshiping the Dear Leader. Suffering greatly through life over lack of food, hard work that isn't paid well, and authoritarian mismanagement that brings injustice to your life independent of your devotion. Many of these people really believe the Dear Leader is rightfully the Dear Leader and deserves the devotion. Some question it. Now, given the vast momentum of the system, there is very little chance that a person who sees through the nonsense can do anything to change it. It would almost certainly be better for ones mental health to be of those fortunate ones who never question. who repays his leader with kindness though he is mistreated. There is a slight chance that such devotion will bring opportunities for a slightly better life, but there's a whole lot of competition in the groveling space for a small amount of extra resources, and so the only guaranteed payoff is that of psychological well-being. Being at peace with the world, and your world includes the unquestioning loyalty to the DPRK leader, while starving, is certainly a better practical way to go than starve while also mentally dissatisfied, which also risks further suffering due to punishment.
There is little doubt that Mikes friend and this other guy who "questioned" for 26 years found peace returning to what they knew from childhood. And there are potentially hardships for those who leave the system they were born into. Even those strong enough to escape the DPRK don't necessarily find great lives for themselves outside of it. There is no clear grounds for celebrating the minds of those with the capacity to question origins and doubt propaganda. Some with a humanist bent may find heroism here, but I think it's complicated. I do think that for those who may be unfortunate or fortunate enough that they need to know the truth -- do not confuse such people with 'truthers' or necessarily associate them with self-described skeptics -- there just isn't an option for returning to the crib that keeps Mike's friend so snuggly and warm. Even at great cost to mental health.
I'm fairly sure that North Koreans, for the most part, believe that their Dear Leader is protecting them from the hell-on-earth situation that exists outside of their borders. The outside world is thoroughly demonized.
You can help Ukraine by talking for an hour a week!! PM me, or check www.enginprogram.org for details. Слава Україні!, 𝑺𝒍𝒂𝒗𝒂 𝑼𝒌𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊!
I have an experience with an exmormon friend who was perpetually angry and bitter after leaving the church. He decided to return, and within weeks, he felt and acted much better. I believe this change was due to the sense of community found within the Mormon church. I will share that story at a later time.
Although genetics, and culture have a lot of say in the matter, I think much of happiness has to deal with personal discipline. It's living a disciplined life that brings happiness, not a belief in certain dogma, and that takes work. Today there is so much information about health and hygiene, and doing things like helping others, not hurting others, paying your taxes etc., which all require personal discipline.
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
