In this episode we primarily look at Hannah Arendt's 1951 book "The Origins of Totalitarianism" and try to see if we can recognise some of the dynamics she writes about, in our current covid-world.
The prerequisites for the beginnings of a totalitarian dynamics, of rootlessness, unattached anxiety, and meaninglessness have been escalated by covid-lockdowns. A central narrative is being presented to the masses.
Should we worry about the next step? What did the next steps look like in past totalitarian regimes? How can we make sure we avoid the atrocities?
By finding a bigger threat than the current one we can snap out of a totalitarian hypnosis like state, but such an exit is only likely to lead us to latch onto a new narrative. A constructive way out is one where we find meaning and rootedness in a natural way, thus making it more difficult to fall prey to totalitarian dynamics, as well as addictions in general.
By learning who we truly are, and thus no longer identifying with ideologies or roles, we might find the satisfaction we are looking for.
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