That sounds like a good idea

I have always been fascinated by the thought processes that go through people when gathered in masses. They say that a person is smart but people are dumb and from what I’ve seen both from first hand experienced, and read from historical documents, that seems to be the case.

Being always interested in cognition due to my background, I keep asking myself the question “what were they thinking” when I see a group of people engaged in a behaviour I would find repulsive or simply contrary to rationality. “How can someone do that?” These examples are unfortunately abundant in today’s world, but the example I always return to is coups, and specifically the ‘colonel’s coup’ in Greece

A simplified version of the events boils down to this. Amidst the tension of the time, a group of military officers decided to take matters in their own hands and carried out a coup d’etat, overthrowing the government and establishing themselves as rulers. The instant that always make me wonder is the day where these officers announce to the soldiers that they command (who could have been me, since military service is mandatory in Greece. I just happened to be born at a different time and served under different officers) that they will be taking over the country.

“Soldiers! Today is the day where we seize power”

And every single one of them must have thought “I think that sounds like a good idea”, for else how could they coup have succeeded.

This raises several questions. First of all, how is the power of the colonel actualized over his subordinates. He has no essential power over those people, he only has because of some ancient protocol. The only reason he actually has any power is because, well, he does. We follow what he says because that’s how it is. Even when his orders are something as ridiculous as that. The second problem then is the issue of “just following orders”. This is followed by the question of whether or not we are to question these orders at any point.

It is said that the military is held together by a very fine thread which is discipline. If that breaks it all comes down, and its true. Supposedly under dire situations people need to be told what to do so that the plan will be a success and some form of order is maintained to actually have functionality. Essentially… don’t think! Which is exactly what the thousands of soldiers (I cant be sure of their exact number but they must have been in the thousands for them to take over a country) did exactly that. They didn’t think. They followed protocol, even the ones who didn’t belong to any far right ideology beforehand.

This is why, for me, people shouldn’t join the army before going to university. It is important that a person knows how to think before any attempt to tame that power takes place. When you’re 18 you are not mature enough to think in large terms and see the whole picture. Putting you within a military framework shapes you in a way that prohibits your flourishing in this way. If however you enter the army after university, chances are that it’s too late for them to change the fact you think for yourself.

Would people today think it’s a good idea? Is it ever a good idea to follow protocol blindly? Dont we at least need to understand the context in which the protocol applies and for what reason it’s there so that we can think outside it?

This, mentality of the masses, surprises me and scares me. It is something I’ve witnessed firsthand happen and it shows no sign of going away. For now, this phenomenon can only be used for my arguments in favour of better education. Only by thinking for ourselves can we break away from traditions and protocols and other institutions that have custom as their only raison d’être.

P.S

For more on mass psychology I suggest reading the work of this man. It’s a little outdated but it still very interesting.