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A comment on Getting humanity to bounce back faster in a post-apocalyptic world. Parent comment

Re:Getting humanity to bounce back faster in a post-apocalyp... by jerry1979 on Friday June 10, 2022 @07:07PM (#31700338)
In terms of doing the work of rebuilding civilization, I bet that you have under-rated the role of organized superstition. At the very least, it seems to play the role of superego for the group, and thereby it can prevent incessant bickering and can guide group efforts.
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Re:Getting humanity to bounce back faster in a post-apocalyp... by indy on Friday June 10, 2022 @07:36PM (#31700533)
But it seems that we (in the West) are spending a ton of our time bickering over modern superstitions.
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Re:Getting humanity to bounce back faster in a post-apocalyp... by OttoVonBizark on Friday June 10, 2022 @07:45PM (#31700589)
oh for sure, but to be effective it would need to be a planned or at least guided superstition and not the horrible random hodge-podge of legacy nonsense we are stuck with now
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Re:Getting humanity to bounce back faster in a post-apocalyp... by formerkrogemp on Friday June 10, 2022 @08:37PM (#31700855)
Yes, it helps when explaining rules to persnickety and unrepentant knaves that they should do what you say or they'll face supernatural terror.
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Re:Getting humanity to bounce back faster in a post-apocalyp... by jerry1979 on Saturday June 11, 2022 @01:04PM (#31706048)
Another way to look at it is that the bickering is not just between people but also internal bickering. Having "superstitious" beliefs allows people to receive sublime commands but also gives them sublime permission.
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Re:Getting humanity to bounce back faster in a post-apocalyp... by Shorel on Saturday June 11, 2022 @09:01AM (#31704132)
How would we know? Has this ever been tested?

Or is it just an instance of: “this is the status quo, accept it”.

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Re:Getting humanity to bounce back faster in a post-apocalyp... by jerry1979 on Saturday June 11, 2022 @01:02PM (#31706021)
I'm not an anthropologist, but I think the effectiveness of groups like the Freemasons indicates the power of myth and superstitious belief.
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