Evil Ways

 

 

The recent terrorist [a person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians in the pursuit of political aims] attack on our capital on January 6, 2021 got me thinking. I do not remember seeing a Hollywood movie in which Republican leaning insurrectionists attacked the Congress in an attempt to overthrow a presidential election. A foreign or alien group as in Star Trek attacking, okay. But, civilians doing what?  Are they out of their minds? Well, can you imagine that the president directly influenced and paid for this white mob?  This disquisition has to do with applying BF Skinner’s theory of learning to the capital attack on January 6.

It seems clear and simple to me that this was simply a terrorist attack. However, our government has definitions and criminal penalties per the US 18 code for international terrorism but no such code for national terrorism. Yes, per the US Department of Justice, terrorism prevention is number one mission yet it does not treat all terrorism with the same urgency. We know there are hate crimes in which the FBI pursues and forwards completed investigations to local US attorney offices. From 2015 through 2020 or so, the Trump administration’s policies clearly discriminated against black skinned individuals. Why do white US terrorists have a different set of standards than all others and expect to get away with insurrection?

A few statistics: 1. in 2015, the FBI reported that there were 5, 493 known offenders of hate crimes with a 5850 bias of motivated incidents 2. In 2018, the FBI reported there were 6, 266 known offenders of hate crimes with a 7, 120 bias of motivated incidents 3. Blacks account for less than 13% of the US population but are killed by police  more than twice the rate of white Americans from 2015 through 2020 4. In 2018, black males accounted for 34% of the total male prison population while white males accounted for 29% 5. Gen. Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense stated that the Pentagon does not know how many racists currently serve in the US military. Yet, 20% of those arrested in the insurrection had military backgrounds. 6. In 2018, the US set a new record with 1,020 hate groups. 7. Social media like Facebook, YouTube and so forth have banned the explosion of hate speech 8. The annual median income of African-American households in 2012 was $ 33,321 compared with the national median income at $ 51,017. These are a few statistics that demonstrate discrimination between black and white folks.

BF Skinner’s, operant conditioning model is a theory of learning. Briefly, an attitude, verbal or physical behavioral response can be strengthened with a tendency by a reinforcing stimulus. Simply, any stimulus whose presentation or removal increases the probability of a response is a reinforcer. More specifically, a positive reinforcer is any stimulus that strengthens the behavior upon which it is made; a negative reinforcer is any stimulus when withdrawn strengthens that behavior. When the tendency for a response is increased it is called a reinforcer. In a significant relationship, three little words like “I love you,” is powerful positive reinforcer.

One could argue that our culture has reinforced the attitude and behavior of white supremacy individuals by providing positive reinforcements for them in the areas of work, criminal justice, police, military, social media etc. Moreover, individuals that have identified, admired, submitted have been influenced with positive reinforcements coming from Trump. For example,  Trump  exhibited racist attitudes, speech and behavior  that influenced white supremacy with his “Make America Great,” building a wall along the border, restricting travel on Muslim countries, separating children from their parents at the border, lack of diversity in his cabinet and administration, employment of federal law enforcement during peaceful “Black Lives Matter” protests,  purposely lying and not having policy to treat and deal with Covid-19 and attempting to change the 2020  election results .

BF Skinner, the legendary American psychologist and his followers postulated a number of hypothesis in his theory. This essay will not address a number of these factors related to Skinner’s model: 1. A detailed array of positive and negative primary reinforcers 2. Schedules of reinforcement 3. Secondary reinforcers 4. Drive 5. Emotions 6. Shaping 7. Discrimination of a stimulus. 8. Differentiation of a response.

Skinner found {Skinner, B.F.; Verbal Behavior, Appleton -Century-Crofts.} that written and verbal expression is a powerful tool for reinforcement. Skinner and his associates also studied how to extinguish a behavior. 1. Punishment consists of the presentation of a negative stimulus or a removal of a positive one with the idea that it weakens a response 2. Extinction is a process of permitting a behavior to die out by not reinforcing it. Skinner believed that extinction was a more appropriate response for breaking habits. Briefly, other points were made: 1. intermittent punishment is more effective than punishment at every occurrence 2. Punishment may be used to hold a response at low strength. In essence, a positive reward is a powerful reinforcer and found to increase operant strength while punishment reduces the rate of responding.

An individual who has identified, submitted, followed with affinity with Trump, can be influenced and motivated behaviorally to follow his directions and/or wishes by what he may say. Trump’s words become a positive primary reinforcer. With that being said, these white insurrectionist terrorist know the history in this country for white skinned individuals. Every major institution is dominated by white power. The cultural positive reinforcement of over 400 years cannot be minimized for whites. This is coupled with the expectancy that punishment is not likely to follow especially when the president directed the assault on the capital. These white rioters realize that they have sympathetic individuals for their crazy irrational beliefs in the congress, military, National Guard, police etc.

May be to their surprise, a small percentage of the white riot insurrectionists have been arrested? In fact one rioter said something to the effect that he was duped into believing Trump. One could take away that he was influenced by his leader. Appropriate negative reinforcement, punishment or expulsion at the criminal justice level, social media platform and all cooperating sycophants is necessary. Just think of our nation’s defense {punishment} against all others. We have the largest defense budget in the galaxy. Our 2020 defense budget of 732 billion exceeds the next 10 countries combined with their 726 billion figure. In essence, we do and have the capacity to intimidate and over kill when it comes to other nations. However, when it comes to white domestic terror, we allow racism to rule without appropriate consequences. Attitude and behavioral changes are necessary for this country to unite. Punishment and /or negative reinforcement is necessary to diminish the attitude and behavior of white racist behavior. Banning Trump and others from social media platforms was a positive step in the right direction.

When Trump told the crowd, on the 6th before, they attacked, “We are going to walk down to the capital,” he delivered a positive reinforcement stimulus, of directing and increasing the behavioral tendency of the mob to follow his directions or command by going to the capital. Second, our nation requires a consistent and clear message when it comes to terrorism. Third, terrorism does not depend on color of skin, religious ideology or where the act took place. It’s not in any way national or international. Terror is clearly terror in both respects. Fourth, a hate crime is a clear act of terror and terrorism. International terrorism is associated with hate as well. Fifth, either merge international terrorism and hate crimes under one umbrella with one federal US code and/or provide the same punishment for all occurrences. Seven, our government needs to take away the positive reinforcers for aberrant behavior and provide severe consequence for all skin colors.

Humiliation Wins

 

 

 Competition is the activity of competing. It is very much prevalent, in our culture, as in the survival of the fittest. There are statistics that measure and rank the wealthiest in our country; a listing of the top Fortune 500 companies; and numerous other comparisons found on the sports page pertaining to all the professional teams. There are statistics for almost everything relevant and non-relevant .Our country is compared, on many categories, to other G-7 nations. There is comparison of school achievement scores in science and math that can be found locally, nationally and worldwide. There are even rankings of mortality and happiness rates per country. Turning to the family, we know about sibling rivalry, which is competitiveness. My friend Dave, in his late 60s, recently told me that he was his mother’s favorite son, and laughed when he added that he was number one. Tony and I have been competing over 20 years. I have an age handicap. He gives me so many minutes per our age difference. At times, I require a larger handicap in order to beat him. Often, I even talked about hobbling him. So far nothing has worked. I am still looking for an advantage. This disquisition pertains to Trump’s competitiveness.

Competitiveness is very broad, and seems to engulf just about all sapient activities. For instance, Michael Jordan did not limit his competitiveness to the basketball court. He was known to bet on just about everything that he did. In fact the NBA, at one time, was very concerned with his gambling. Within Trump’s neurotic character traits, exists his competitive nature. For instance, he constantly measures himself against others especially Barack Obama. Trump was concerned with the size of his inauguration claiming it was larger  than Obama’s and he consistently overturned many of Obama’s policies like the Parris Accord, Iran’s Nuclear Treaty, listing Cuba as a terrorist  regime etc. Trump also claimed that his rallies were larger than Biden’s. During the 2016 primaries, Trump put down his opponents with various unflattering names and remarks .Trump, in his mind, has to be more intelligent and popular than everyone else. He said he was smarter than the general’s; he was the greatest president; no other President did …; and he was maybe only second to Lincoln in supporting the blacks. He does not appear content in what he’s doing only about how much success and the prestige he gained by the task. Gold Trump signs on buildings are only, an attempt to fulfill feelings of inadequacy.

Trump’s ambition and goal is to accumulate money, power and prestige. In addition to any accomplishment, he has to have greater success and be perceived as being exceptional, clever, and be the best at everything he touches. He overcame 6 bankruptcies, won numerous lawsuits, and swindled many without paying them for services or labor. Even Giuliani may not be paid for services. Wow, what a clever thief! He even brags how smart he is by using bankruptcies laws to his advantage by not paying taxes. However, because of his excessive drive for ambition, he is very sensitive to failure and not meeting his fantasies.

With extreme competitiveness, there is a tremendous amount of fear and sensitivity to failure. Also, within competition the other person has to lose and be defeated by him. In other words, the destructive hostility aspect of competition is stronger than the constructive element. It’s more important for him to see the other defeated and for him to defeat others. This reminds me of Potato, a Tevis endurance competitor, who would say “the person coming in second is the first loser.” Once again the only way to feel superior is to put down and belittle others. It didn’t work against the Biden’s. He has to damage a competitor to enhance his own glory. He’s driven by a blind indiscriminate and compulsive way to disparage .He has to be the winner at all costs. He expends a great amount of emotional intensity behind his destructive impulses regardless of the reality of the situation. With fear of failure, he becomes like a raging blind man in a glass shop.

Trump is also motivated to defeat and not take the counsel from his advisers because he knows best. Many advisers have warned him not to do many of the things that he does. He knew the pandemic was disastrous. Did his advisers tell him to dismiss and silence all the scientists? Probably not, as he has to be in charge which is an important aspect of his competitive nature. He is unable to take advantage of the input of others because that would be, in his own mind, a feeling of defeat and failure.

The last four months or so we have seen his competitive nature and fear of failure in full force. He knew the polls showed him behind Biden. He began cheating and continued lying about mail-in ballots and even curtailed the post office’s mail delivery. When he lost in November, he refused to acknowledge the reality. His frivolous lawsuits were an attempt to avoid that fear of failure. When that didn’t work, he and his sycophants made calls to various state governments and election officials pursuing fraud. The epitome was on January 6 with his role in the insurrectionist war on the Capital.

Trump also fears retaliation for his ambitious pursuit of ambition. As he stepped on others, humiliated and crushed them, this sets in motion his thinking that they want just as intensely to defeat him as well. Therefore, he attempts to expand his own power in an attempt to protect himself from this defeat. His fear of failure or humiliation only pushes him into enhanced efforts to be more successful and to be more invincible and controlling. In his mind, he constantly justifies his actions while attempting to prove his superiority. Yet, being the only president to be impeached twice, with more Republican’s voting against him in the House, brings him closer to reality of the underlying unconscious fear of being humiliated. Despite the reality he seems to reject all the overt evidence facing him. His self-esteem, feelings of inferiority, his inadequacy are all unconsciously at play. He lacks the inner ego resources too effectively to resolve, and deal with his dilemma. Reality continues to close in despite what his sycophants tell him.

Yes, Trump has been experiencing constant stress and anxiety while acting out anger and rage. He’s attempting to go out in style in an attempt to emotionally soften the dreaded failure and humiliation. That’s only a Band-Aid approach. Trump’s neurotic competitiveness along with other character deficiencies facilitated his demise. His losing the presidency, the threat of impeachment, legal actions and money woes place him in a unique position that he has never experienced before. Being non-psychologically oriented, he likely will continue to exhibit more self-defeating behavior. This chapter in his story looks bleak and pathetic. As T.S. Eliot said in the final stanza of his poem “The Hollow Men,”   This Is the way the world ends ….. Not with a bang but a whimper.

PS

I am relieved that President and Vice President Biden and Harris excised the sadomasochistic, cancerous and diseased cancer from the White House. Tomorrow, Linda and I are scheduled for our Covid-19 vaccination. I am laughing again more because Tony and I are together on the trails . For and in-depth analysis of fear of failure consult: Horney, Karen. The Neurotic Personality over Time, WW Norton and Company Inc.

.The Republican Insurrection

 

 

We have heard continuous lies on TV, radio and various social media platforms regarding the November 3 presidential election and the January 5 Georgia Senate election. One side, with facts and 62 court decisions support that  Joe Biden won fairly and squarely while the other side complains about allegations of nonsense; contacting numerous Republican state officials about overturning the vote; inciting  riot  on the congress law makers on January 6 while not facilitating a peaceful democratic transition of power; and a 2^nd Impeachment. This disquisition pertains to the underlying motivation of fear from a delusional and sociopathic Trump and his insurrectionist Republican followers.

A very brief voting history of our nation follows. Per our Constitution in 1789 we had voter discrimination. In 1920 the 19^th amendment was ratified when it allowed citizens regardless of sex to vote. However, black skinned individuals have continued to be discriminated against in various states with its gerrymandering politics; voter eligibility practices; when, where and how to vote policies despite the Emancipation Proclamation and the 24^th amendment which prohibited the use of poll taxes in 1965. Trump lost the popular vote in 2016 and according to the polls for 2020 was predicted to lose again. He could not run based on his record over the four last four years nor could he run based on his character. Attacking Joe and Hunter Biden and Kamala Harris didn’t work. However, he had nominated over 300 federal judges and packed the Supreme Court. He had numerous sycophants at the state level in positions of Gov., Atty. Gen., Secretary of State, state legislatures etc. as well as in the House and Senate. His main option was to run on voter fraud and if he didn’t win the Electoral College, he would call on his Republican followers to steal the election. After all, sociopaths steal.

Anxiety and/or fear are caused by external dangers as in nature, illness or social relationships throughout a lifetime. These dangers are threats which results in anxiety and/or fear. Of course, we begin life with the state of tension, anxiety and/or fear. Differences in character are developed and account for behavioral strategies in an attempt to rid and/or diminish the uncomfortable and dreaded emotional experience of such. Of course while these dangers are taking place sapiens have created many additionally severe dangers, conflicts and stressors.

Additional dangerous stressors for many of these racist, deplorable individuals include 1. Covid-19 pandemic with its inconsistent public health messaging about social distancing, wearing masks, washing hands and not traveling 2. The enormous number of deaths from the pandemic and the incompetence of not getting the vaccine into the arms of people quickly enough 3. The massive degree of unemployment and economic hardship 6. The Democrats controlling the Presidency, House and Senate 7. Merrick Garland the upcoming head of the Justice Department 8. Trump loss of White House power 9. Trump being expelled from social media 10. Mike Krzyzewski calling for prosecution.

For the past four years, Trump’s followers have been given permission and encouragement without consequences to act out in Charlottesville; Washington DC; Oregon and Washington State during their demonstrations. They have had free reign on social media spreading their lies and conspiracy nonsense and they have been reinforced for their sick behavior by Trump. Imagine, a narcissistic sociopath being filmed with feet on Nancy Pelosi’s desk, talking about revolution and not expecting any federal crime consequences? These acting out individuals have been out-of-control for too long. Let the consequences begin. Remember, underneath the acting out aggression, terror and violence at the state capital and other venues has been underlying fear and anxiety. These white followers are scared out of their wits as they are losing the supportive power of their lying leader.

Trump’s delusional behavior, this past few months, is likened to a scared sociopathic boy being unable to swim in the ocean. No one pushed him. He jumped in feet first. He is flailing his arms and screaming and whining at the top of his lungs. His acting Secretary of Defense and Homeland Security withholds security forces; Giuliani, frequently goes to court; Bill Barr, Mike Pence, Amy Coney Barrett, Brad Raffensperger; the Proud Boys, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Madison Cawthorn, Ron Johnson, Mo Brooks, Scott Perry, Bob Good and other deplorable in the Senate and House and others have been all unable to throw Trump a life vest and rescue this drowning delusional sociopathic individual. Can he be saved or is it too late? Not only that, there are impeachment, constitutional amendment 25 and numerous lawsuit sharks in the water ready to devour this sapient. How many of the faithful followers are ready to jump in the water to be with him. Some said they would die for him. They are finally going to get their chance.

In essence, Trump, his  Secretary of Defense,  Homeland Security, House and Senate Republicans, Giuliani, Trump Jr, Capital  police, rioters on the sixth and others yet identified  all need to be held accountable and subject to federal crimes. Algorithms are required from social media platforms to root out the lies about the 2020 election and the call for attacks on various politicians. One can’t call “fire,” if it’s not present in the theater. Take away, from those individuals, the platform to mobilize hate, violence and insurrection on social media. Our country is facing an existential threat from the Republicans. We are in troubled waters.

PS

Check out Arnie’s positive message:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_P-0I6sAck

The Followers

 

 

I am becoming more annoyed when hearing the excessive lying by individuals on social media, radio or on television. One senator said something to the effect that 74 million persons feel disfranchised by their vote. Does he really believe what he said? Did he or someone else personally interview 74 million individuals and ask them about their vote? Was this Yale trained lawyer senator purposely lying by making up something obviously false for political and economic gain?   It’s clear that 74 million individuals have not been asked about being disfranchised. His position suggest that the Machiavellian concept of moral egoism overrides or gets in the way of doing what’s right morally.  Why should he exhibit rational and moral behavior? Is it important for him to be rational or moral?  Importantly, is this Senators stance and behavior good for our country? Is lying the norm?

Another individual, in personal communication with my friend Paul, said something to the effect that Trump turned 2 US battleships into hospital ships to combat the pandemic. When he was told that the last US battleship, the USS Missouri, was placed in mothballs in 1992 and that the USNS Mercy and the USNS Comfort were fully equipped hospital ships and sent to New York and Los Angeles, he was left speechless. Did this individual intentionally make up this falsehood or was he just repeating what he heard? In both cases, he was lying. First, he did not question or research this intentional misrepresentation of fact nor was he, in any case, seeking truth. His lie could’ve been related to his ignorance by not exercising all the means necessary to gather the facts. Ignorance is no excuse nor does it justify lying behavior.  Does one believe a pathological liar and not trust the 62 court decisions combating the lie? Does his self-interest distort the reality?  Does he lack the desire to do what’s right? This disquisition focuses on a character of submission and the need to affiliate with an authoritarian leader.

The quest for freedom and democracy is not new per sapient history. About 75 years or so, our country faced an authoritarian threat by Hitler. Nazi-ism was very popular among the German people. Hitler had many disciples as well as preponderance of submissive followers. He was a leader, clear and simple and ruled in an authoritarian manner as many of the people lost civil liberties by losing their homes, places of work, and religious ideologies. Others, served and carried out inhumane practices. It didn’t seem to matter to the followers that Hitler and his culprits were cunning, lied or used trickery. In fact, almost the entire population were the will-less object of betrayal and terror. He tore down his people and country.   Were these German people fighting for the defense of freedom or were they actually escaping from freedom-of thought, rationality, wisdom, and morality? Was it just the mesmerizing of Hitler or were there other factors like character and the institutions at play?

John Dewey American philosopher and psychologist over 81 years ago stated “The serious threat to our democracy is not the existence of foreign totalitarian states. It is the existence within our own personal attitudes and within our own institutions of conditions which have given a victory to external authority, discipline, uniformity and dependence upon the leader in foreign countries. The battlefield is also accordingly-within ourselves and our institutions.”

John Dewey was correct in that we must look at ourselves and our institutions. Within ourselves, there can be a tendency toward submission to an authority over which one has little or no control.  Of course within any system, the character of the individual is affected by economic and social conditions. Character development of submission, lust for power and/or sadomasochism can follow.  Initially, the individual has to meet its primary safety needs of food, water, warmth, cold and air. Then, additional needs are developed and influenced by the capitalistic, economic, and political systems of the culture and society.

According to Erich Fromm,” submission to an overt authority can be related to individual conscience; to an inner compulsion; to an anonymous authoritarian or to and insatiable lust for power. In an authoritarian dynamic, we have a political system that does not operate or appeal to rational forces but diabolical ones.” Within capitalism, significant needs for ambition, achievement, fame, power, possessions, success, greed and work are created.

Initially, in the character development for submission, within a capitalism economic system, there is a threatening, external or authoritarian and controlling parenting figure. In order to be a” good boy,” the son has to submit by repressing or suppressing anger, over and over. With repression, hostility will follow and that leads to behaviors of defiance and oppositionalness toward others, other groups as in prejudice, hate, and discrimination as well as toward life itself. Additional unequal or submission interactions occur throughout one’s lifetime with teachers, coaches, police, military, supervisors, employers, various interpersonal interactions etc. We learn to submit, take orders, go along with someone else’s program and often bite our lip in the process. The tendency for sadomasochism is easily created.  One of my friends served in the military in Vietnam. He did not like all the rules and regulations and therefore exhibited oppositional acting out behavior toward authority. However, in the process, he ingested alcohol too much and was often inebriated. This was an example of repressed anger faced with strict standards and rigid rules that produced strong self-defeating and unhealthy behavior toward others and self. His behavior was irrational and harmful. Thus, with development, the character structure can lead to behaviors of destructiveness, sadism, submission, and lust for power, self-aggrandizement, and passion for thrift, sensuous pleasure or fear of sensuality.

Turning to our institutions, we see the tentacles by the powerful, celebrity, and authoritarian leader. At the head of the federal government departments pertaining to Secretary of State, Department of Defense, Justice Department, CIA, FBI etc., we find his appointed loyalists. Do not forget the Congress. These loyalists, in turn submit, and then in turn act out sadistic policies directed by the leader. At the state and local level, more of the same occurs. Some of the followers are totally blind and follow faithfully; some are partially blind; some require cataract surgery; and some require glasses. As far as the rest of the followers, some are limited educationally, intellectually and do not have the cognitive resources in determining fact from fiction. Perhaps, moral egoism is at play as well. Some because of cognitive dissonance find it easier and simpler to follow the algorithms placed by the social media platforms; and listen to Fox news and hate radio.  Witness the Georgia election and the criminality at the Capital. In other words, John Dewey was right in that institutions are also controlled and corrupted by the tentacles of the octopus leader.

Returning to the fragile and insecure nature of a sapient, is the need to avoid aloneness. Belongingness or affiliation can be to ideas, values, groups, religion, and nationalism or to a corrupt, impeached and lying criminal leader.  One can still feel alone, even in a relationship, and be fearful of separation. Breaking up and getting together again and again is one illustration of the fear of being alone. The anxiety of insignificance, is very powerful to say the least. Individuals have to belong or affiliate with someone or something in order to avoid isolation, and moral aloneness. One has to seek security and unite in some way in the world. The drive for seeking security is all-encompassing. However, a loss of freedom and/ or moral integrity can be by products.

The character type of submission, as a result, often seeks an authoritarian leader or group to become a part of and belong to. It doesn’t seem to matter whether or not the leader is amoral, has nondemocratic values, lies, cheats, is sadistic, or attempts to divide. It doesn’t seem to matter how or by what means that leader uses to remain in power. It seems that the drive for submission and following that leader remains in full force. It’s not about the democratic institutions, reality, objectivity, wisdom or truth. It’s about the character structure and the primitive emotions of the followers that’s important and the driving force, so that lying or acting out, as symptoms, remains in full force. In essence, these individuals are of quisquous character. Just observe their behavior, at the Capital, on the 6^th of January.

Machiavelli’s concept of moral egoism is a conscious explanation of behavior to a leader. Other examples of justification include consciously or unconsciously the following 1. I like his policies 2. He’s a celebrity 3. He’s a billionaire 4. He’s a member of the correct political party 5. I like his rhetoric 6. I like that he’s a racist 7. I like his power 8. Feeling powerless, insignificant and inadequate 9. Some impairment, inadequacy, insecurity or stress related to academic or educational achievement; current job options, employment or unemployment; physical and/or mental health concerns; marital or family discord; lack of meaning or significance in life; and a doom and gloom future.

I agree with Mitt Romney when he said “tell them the truth” in response to Ted Cruz’s comments earlier.

Fetishes

 

Related to last week’s disquisition are the Zuni Indians who share some of the civil characteristics of our Neanderthal cousins within their agriculture and sheep herding society. The Zuni have been around for a long time [prior to the 12^th and 13^th century] and currently reside in the southwest in New Mexico. In the 16^th century, the civilized Spaniards explored the City of Cibola. They believed that it was the “Lost City of Gold.” .They were going to trade religion to the Savage Native Americans for gold. But the treasure did not exist and therefore they destroyed the city. Some fortunate Zuni’s then fled to the mountains. The civilized were? These native Indians have been studied by anthropologists Ruth Benedict, Margaret Mead, Irving Goldman, Ruth Bunzel, and others.  Consult Hal Bennett’s book “Zuni Fetishes” Harper San Francisco for further information.  This disquisition focuses on the significance  of fetishes .

Our noted anthropologists have described the Zuni Indians as having the following positive civil features or themes that are in some ways similar to the Neanderthals: 1. They live in the state of abundance and have little appreciation for material goods 2. There is little competition, work cooperation and rivalry except for the practice of herding. Sheep herding is a male occupation 3. There is quarreling and sexual jealousy but not in relation to economic activities. Even though there is quarreling and jealousy, it’s not related to aggression and destructive behavior 4. Hoarding is unknown even though there are richer and poorer Zuni’s. Men willingly share their jewelry with others 5. Murder hardly exists and suicide is outlawed 6. There is no sin especially regarding sex and sexual chastity is regarded with disfavor 7. Nonaggressiveness, nonviolence, cooperation and enjoyment of life and living itself are main values and not possessions 8. Men are afraid of women 9. Definition of a good man is a pleasing address, yielding disposition and generous .Religious activities are important which lead to a more thorough discussion on fetishes.

Fetishes are symbols that can be held in the hand, expressing values and beliefs that guide a Zunis decisions in pursuit of physical, mental and spiritual being. Originally fetishes were found in the earth but now they are manufactured. Various figures like the bear, mountain lion, badger, eagle, and mole are common Zuni fetishes. The metaphysical and spiritual meaning of the mountain lion follows:  “the mountain lion has a long, narrow body, feet tucked in, catlike, blunt face and nose, and long tail stretched out either up along the back or alongside the body. This fetish fortifies courage, particularly when striking out on a challenging path, helps in clarifying your personal stand in your relationship and career. Personality type-if a mountain lion person, you are a trailblazer, clear on defining boundaries, demanding high standards, faithful and committed.”

The Zuni explores the intuitive wisdom from previous centuries, at times, emphasize and utilize the right hemispheres of their brain. They are one with nature and the appreciate everything on the planet and believe that it is their duty to love and protect. They do not overkill. Answers to the invisible or unseen world of human life can be gained through spirituality, imagination and dreams by exploring one’s inner world.

Their emotionally centered beliefs regarding fetishes are powerful in that they not only “magically” protect but also provide assistance in dealing with the problems of everyday life. The power of beliefs, prayer, superstition, symbols and conspiracy ideas are simply products of our own mind. They motivate us in many cases blindly when there is no objective or rational basis in the idea. It was believed that the earth was flat. However, clearly there is a relationship to mind and body. Prayer, meditation, deep breathing, psycho cybernetics etc. direct one’s attention away from the external stresses of life and in so doing lowers pulse rate and temporarily reduces stress in the process. Relaxation feels better, as in well-being, than experiencing stress and anxiety.

Zuni’s believe that these fetishes derive their power from various sources depending upon the cosmology or religious beliefs of the people who made and possessed them. Some are believed to be God like, others are believed to possess powers to protect the owners against certain dangers, while others are believed to represent ancestral lineages offering power and guidance by reminding people of their loyalties to past generations. By focusing on the fetish, the hunter could see in his mind’s eye, the living presence of the animal, how it moved, and the sounds it made.

An example of the “power” of the mountain lion fetish and prayer was captured by a description of the hunter Wema Ashiwani. “He placed the arrow against the string of his bow and crept forward until he was only a short distance from the buck. The deer looked up and saw the hunter standing before him. The string of the bow drawn and ready. In that instant, the hunter let the arrow fly. The well-aimed shaft pierced the chest of the deer for a clean kill.  The animal fell to its knees almost instantly. Before the breath of life was gone from it, the hunter ran forward, grabbed the deer’s front feet, placed them at the animal’s head and pressed its nose to his own lips. He breezed his own into the buck, then exhaled as it died. With the spirit gone from the body, the hunter lowered the animal gently to the ground. “Then “ah, thanks, my father, my mother, grant us our daily bread and the gift of water. Pray that I shall always have the light of your favor as I have had today.”

“With the animal dead, the hunter opened its belly with his knife, Pierced the diaphragm, made an incision in the heart, then took out his prey fetish, breezed on it and said now you shall drink and with the blood of this animal expand your own heart. The hunter pressed the fetish into the heart incision and allowed the fetish to drink the first blood of the kill, just as a real mountain lion would have done. When this reward to the fetish towards assistance was accomplished, the hunter made an offering in the spirit of the dead buck. This consisted of blood from the deer’s own heart, a piece of its ear, some corn pollen, turquoise heads, black paint, and other items like those he had given just before embarking on the hunt. He pressed all together, making a bowl of them, which he buried on the spot where the animal had fallen. Then he gave the following prayer to you dear buck, I wish good fortune to make a sacrifice to you, of this sacred corn pollen and other things with this prayer in those offerings. I pray you good fortune on becoming a new being. May you hear my prayers as you go forth and grant me and my family a good journey over the trial of life?”

This brief description provides some insight into the magical beliefs of the Zuni hunter. Notice the reverence and acknowledgment to parents, the land, the trail and the fetish before the hunt. It’s very spiritual and acknowledges its importance. With the kill, we see the spiritual honoring the buck, its importance for its own new life and then the food that it provided for his family.

The appreciation of life’s meaning is very significant for these Indians. There was no beating of one’s chest or interest about trophy. This attitude of appreciation, sharing and acknowledging life is highly significant and representative of these people. There’s an absence of dominance, power, prestige, control in their character. It’s about appreciating life as a life form and not at all about destruction.

Today’s society is driven by technology, military-industrial complex, neoliberalism and political power while the Zuni Indians have a more humanistic and/ or socialistic attitude. A fetish is psychologically a conscious or unconscious magical belief used in an attempt to compensate by reducing conscious or unconscious anxiety, fear, insecurity, weakness and protect the individual and, as a result, provide the necessary narcissistic supplies for goal accomplishment.  We have many fetishes. Our “fetishes” include, but not limited to the continued accumulation of “money. “ It’s about power, greed as if there is never enough? An “assault rifle” is supposed to protect with power; procuring the “right job” is supposed to be a safety guarantee  and prestige; using hoka or Nike running shoes for Mercury like  performance; performing “CrossFit” training for more strength and less weakness; ingesting “whey protein” for more protein and extra energy; wearing a cross or holding a rabbit’s foot etc. In our culture, in part, because of clever advertising or brainwashing, we are led to believe that having or procuring that special object or idea will facilitate in meeting one’s goal or goals. Which of our fetishes result in spiritual, physical or mental well-being? Do our fetishes result in having more courage, godlike power, dominance, and protection? Unfortunately, irrational and self-defeating beliefs influence behavioral choices.

Today’s hunter,  generally in our country but not in European cultures, per Paul Klentos might be dressed in expensive gear; with a 30 caliber Remington; with leupold scope; guide; pack animal and a check book full of money. The dwindling prey have absolutely no chance. Alcohol use also interferes with spirituality while exterminating the hunted. Having that head or trophy on the wall does not symbolize reverence. Going to the supermarket and putting or throwing products in the cart also doesn’t seem very spiritual. Get it done quickly and maybe you might have a limited irrelevant meeting with another. Black Fridays are characterized by pushing, shoving and hollering toward another.

Steph Curry has fetishes. Fortunately for him, he has good genes. His father was an excellent NBA shooter and Steph was reared with a basketball, basketball courts and associations with professional NBA players. Steph also married the daughter of NBA player Doc Rivers, an NBA coach. Steph has extraordinary basketball shooting practices. This past week, he shot over 100 consecutively made three-point shots in five minutes. It takes more than fetishes to be successful.

The Zuni life style is based on creative spirit, intuitive knowledge, wisdom and beliefs. In other words, they walk the walk and talk the talk. They practice what they preach. They are not at all about contradictions, inconsistencies and hypotheticals. Their beliefs, are at times irrational, but are in harmony with plants, animals and their world. For example a quote by Awahakeeah “To find the center and live in balance, you got to jump out of your skin. Look at the world through the clear eyes of the soaring Eagle and a blind eye of the burrowing mole.” That idea is very different from the drive for power, prestige, possessions that is characteristic for many in our destructive society.

This quote from Albert Einstein fits “Human being is a part of the whole, called by us “universe,” inner feelings of separation from the whole are “a kind of optical delusion of consciousness.”

Dr. Bennett provides a relaxation, centering and problem solving self-help strategy using the right hemisphere and unconscious in the use of imagination, dream, and insight for solving problems of today. Scientific research does not support the idea or belief that a fetish is the most important or main variable for goal attainment.  Scientific research has not evaluated whether or not the Zuni fetish is superior to any of our fetishes as far as goal attainment. However, the Zuni fetish seems simpler and healthier than ours.

PS

 On a similar note, a recent movie “The Midnight Sky” might be a foreshadowing into our future in 2049, George Clooney directs and plays the main character in this prediction of our end. He’s a dying scientist, at a weather station in the Artic. He is able to contact a crew of astronauts. Two of the astronauts made a decision for an Earth return, searching for their family, in the global catastrophe currently affecting our uninhabitable earth. The two remaining astronauts, “Adam” is black and his pregnant white “Eve” companion hope to reach another planet.  Finis.