The “Brilliance” of Musk & Five Experts Who Disagree
(4 minute read)
For the first 60 years of my life, I never had a disagreement with anyone because of their political leanings. Although in recent times I’ve been struck, actually hugely disappointed and saddened, by the growing polarization and downright hatred I’m observing from my fellow Americans, particularly from some towards anyone with a differing opinion. What was once a “difference of opinion” is now considered “evil, delusional and shameful.” (Three things I’ve been called in the last week by people I considered friends.)
In a recent interview Elon Musk stated, “The fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy.” He went on to explain that excessive empathy could lead to societal harm. I suspect you also realize that Musk has been “given the keys” to the most powerful government in the world, without any checks or balances from his boss.
His actions, while shocking and cruel, don’t surprise me as exhibits what most “uber-genius” types do. I believe he is brilliant in one specific area (building things with technology), yet astonishingly ignorant in other areas.
While I am not an expert on empathy, I‘ve done quite a bit of study on this as it relates to my consulting and leadership executive coaching business. Here are a few things I’ve learned from real experts about the effects of empathy (or lack of) on society.
Hannah Arendt, a political theorist writes, “The aim of totalitarian education has never been to instill convictions but to destroy the capacity to form any.” The authoritarian’s primary aim to suppress empathy by eroding independent thought, making individuals easier to control. She goes on, “Totalitarianism begins in contempt for what you have. The second step is the notion: ‘Things must change—no matter how, anything is better than what we have.’” This is just one of Musk’s lies. An expert on Hitler and Stalin, Arendt asserts that the rejection of shared humanity and care for others enables regimes to rationalize cruelty. This is very scary stuff! She pointed out how ordinary people committed great atrocities through thoughtless obedience. (Think January 6, 2021)
Erich Fromm, author of “Escape from Freedom” says, “The most important psychological condition for fascism is the inability to relate to others in a loving and meaningful way…Authoritarian societies replace love and connection with obedience and submission.” What we’ve learned from history, and should not forget, is that in these cases empathy is intentionally suppressed to prioritize loyalty to the state over personal relationships.
Albert Speer, Hitler’s “chief architect” worked to foster a culture void of empathy. He said, “One seldom recognizes the devil when he is holding your hand.” The never-ending message was that to be a good German you acted out of “necessity or duty” while eliminating empathy for victims. Chilling, isn’t it!
Timothy Snyder, Yale professor, wrote, “To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so.” He strongly warns us of historical amnesia, and says that empathy is impossible in a society where truth itself is suppressed.
The greatness (or potential) of our country lies not in slashed budgets, smaller government, or the consolidation of power and wealth in hands of white billionaires. Václav Havel stated, “The salvation of this human world lies nowhere else than in the human heart, in the human power to reflect, in human meekness and human responsibility.”
If we are to flourish as a society, we must figure out a way to genuinely care for each other and resist oppression at the same time. I do not have the answers. I certainly am not counting on my elected leaders to fix this. They’ve demonstrated that they lack the moral courage to do what is within their Constitutional reach. I do believe that we (the people) do have what it takes. What that looks like…remains to be seen?
END
This blog shares perspectives on how you can create new story endings that are filled with greater meaning, power and hope. Brian Becker facilitates leadership and culture changing processes that help organizations achieve greater impact. He also provides leadership coaching to help executives and aspiring leaders become the fullest expression of who they are intended to be.
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