"That’s what high conflict does. It becomes conflict for conflict’s sake, and it takes over. It’s a very physically, spiritually, and emotionally draining way to live. While it may be a draining way to live, it also allows 'conflict entrepreneurs' to thrive. These are individuals or organizations that boost their egos and/or pocketbooks by keeping others steeped in anger and hate.
Whether you’re a politician, a journalist, a pundit, or somebody who uses Facebook, there is a strong incentive and push to be a conflict entrepreneur. We are living in an age of great uncertainty and anxiety, some of which is real, based on the pace of change. And some of that anxiety is embellished by conflict entrepreneurs. One way to prevent high conflict is to learn to recognize the conflict entrepreneurs in your orbit. Notice who delights in each new plot twist of a feud. Who is quick to validate every lament and to articulate wrongs no one else has even thought of? Many people do not want a solution if it offends their other ideas of what is safe and pure--or if it means they will have to let go of an apocalyptic narrative that has become part of their identity.
One trait that conflict entrepreneurs employ constantly is humiliation, of tearing someone down in a public way. This perpetuates an endless cycle of high conflict because the person who feels humiliated will often pursue revenge.
Tony Rossi, Amanda Ripley on High Conflict, October 18, 2022
"Why do conflict entrepreneurs, and deceivers, and con men seem to flourish in times like these? They offer simplicity, the fantasy of a cartoon like picture of the world, relieving their listeners of the burden of thinking and caring and loving. They nurture feelings of powerlessness and confusion by portraying those on the edge of darkness as victims of 'the other.' They fill the dull emptiness of hardened hearts with strong emotions like fear, hate and rage.
Those who cultivate hate and pride for their own purposes, and those who spread their hate and lies to others, will see a reckoning of sorrows, no matter how carelessly they approach their actions and their consequences now."
Jesse, Conflict Entrepreneurs and Con Men, 12 August 2021
"The American fascist would prefer not to use violence. His method is to poison the channels of public information. With a fascist the problem is never how best to present the truth to the public but how best to use the news to deceive the public into giving the fascist and his group more money or more power.
They claim to be super-patriots, but they would destroy every liberty guaranteed by the Constitution. They demand free enterprise, but are the spokesmen for monopoly and vested interest. Their final objective toward which all their deceit is directed is to capture political power so that, using the power of the state and the power of the market simultaneously, they may keep the common man in eternal subjection."
Henry Wallace, 9 April 1944
The ISM Services numbers came in stronger than expected this morning, and that revved up the hawkish interest rates spin cycle.
The Dollar rose sharply.
Gold and silver declined.
Stocks slumped.
And the band played on.
"The Banks must be restrained, and the financial system reformed, with balance restored to the economy, before there can be any sustainable recovery." Jesse, May 2009
Distracting the public with outrage wildfires has proven an effective way to avoid meaningful reform and provide a solid money and power payday for the conflict entrepreneurs.
People seem to be getting tired of it, but 'they will have to let go of an apocalyptic narrative that has become part of their identity.'
We will learn, slowly but surely. Until the next time demagogues find a new boogeyman for a payday.
Have a pleasant evening.
