Thoughts 9/23/2007 September 23, 2007
Posted by Kelsey Martineau in Psychology, Sociology.Tags: Psychology, Sociology
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*Suggested Topic by Olgaolgaolga*
The suggested topic was:
what’s insanity?? not a dictionary.com definition, but in a clear human respect…what makes us crazy? and who’s to say what’s not?
Excellent, excellent question. Questions like this are the exact reason that the “Suggest a Topic” page exists. The first thing I thought when I read this question was a blog I did a while back about what sets standards of what is right or wrong in our world, and who’s to say what is or isn’t “normal.” I’ll put the link to that post at the end of this blog.
Insanity, as I’ve always seen it, is doing the exact same thing over and over, expecting a different outcome. For example, I want to create a table. I take the nail and put it in the wrong place. In my opinion, insanity is taking that nail, and trying the exact same thing numerous times. Of course that is a metaphor, but I think you catch the meaning. To an extent however, we as humans do this. The insane don’t know they are insane; insane individuals believe they are sane and the world is crazy. If someone stops and says, “Hey, I need mental help,” or “I need to be institutionalized,” they aren’t insane. Don’t put insanity in the same category as alcoholism, drug-addiction, or many other similar disorders they have clubs/meetings for. The first step to recovery in those type situations is admitting you have a problem. Insanity doesn’t work that way. As far as what makes as crazy, there are multiple opinions on the matter. Some say chemical imbalances in the brain. Some of the hardest to catch serial killers in the world were super-intelligent. Does the fact that they were mass murderers make them insane? That is one way a medical point-of-view plays into the question.
Being labeled “insane,” or “crazy” as the term you used in the third sentence of your question, is in some ways directly connected to the society you live in. For example, in many societies, things that American’s have done and said would label insane or crazy. If you observe many Native American rituals, they did many things that we refer to today as psychotic. However, at that time in history, it wasn’t taboo. It was the norm. The norm of your culture plays an enormous part in this. The societal structure is undoubtedly the number one reason certain things are considered to be strange/crazy/insane or whatever term you want to use.
Ignoring the sociological point of view on the question, I believe that some people confuse obsessions or other disorders with insanity. The term is one that is quite overused in our society. For example, one that has ADD or OCD, may be called insane, but that simply isn’t the case. People are generally stupid. I don’t say that in a condescending way, but it’s true. They don’t think. People sit back and do things every single day that are predictable, easily read, and generally stupid, and don’t catch their mistakes. I’ve seen it all throughout my life. That’s a little off topic though. Insanity and stupidity are two totally different things also, but people confuse those two constantly.
To be labelled insane you have got to ignore reality and do something that goes against nature and sustainability. I believe many politicians in power throughout the world are insane or they would not be making the short-sighted decisions and stop gap measures they are taking. We look on and pretend to be matured individuals, societies and organizations, including the UN, berating others for their inaction, but inevitably being afraid of the dark side within themselves and the world. We are waiting for yet another Saviour who will save the world from its follies. The little bit of culture and sanity that we have left is in danger of being eroded to a point that disaster lurks in every corner, waiting to rape and murder a child here, harm a woman and snatch her belongings there, kill and burn a man here and there, embezzle or siphon or gain through doubtful means what takes a lifetime for others to earn, willingly going to war when a government tells you to – isn’t that insanity, although we would term it stupidity? It is so easy to be corrupt when you don’t believe that you are not going to experience repercussions for whatever you do here on earth as long as you’re alive. The illegal sex trade and female trafficking is alive and vibrant, the excesses being committed are all because nations are not held accountable to one another (am I not my brother’s keeper?) and are allowed to practise their own brand of capitalism under the name of democracy. There must be fairness in the diistribution of wealth.
The people of the 22nd Century and beyond will surely look back and wonder about the massive insanity that beset the world in the 20th and 21st centuries and led by leaders some of which had the power but little intelligence and capability to save the world from the destructive weather patterns it will surely face until they cease and desist all their evil actions, evil in that it does not foster the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants.
all things mentioned have been very insightful, though I think if we would like a true prespective on massive insantiy we should look back on earlier civilizations.