But does the average Kiwi or the NZ media talk about Maori crime and violence? No. Maybe only behind closed doors. Why? Because it’s not politically correct. Even though almost every Kiwi has seen and/or experienced Maori violence, no one wants to talk about it because it’s not politically correct and no one wants to be called a “racist”.

This is the problem with PC culture: Instead of encouraging an honest examination of the facts, it simply takes a totalitarian attitude and censors any opinion it doesn’t like which might “offend” and calls it “racism”, “sexism” or “hate speech”.

Facebook censors posts.

Google censors searches.

Twitter censors tweets.

YouTube censors videos.

Political correctness is an insidious cancer which silences people and forces them to deny reality, and it also introduces a lot of bullshit words and concepts:

Cultural appropriation.

Trigger warnings.

Safe spaces.

Manspreading.

Mansplaining.

PC culture is so out of control on US college campuses that even legendary comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, John Cleese etc. refuse to play because too many college kids can’t take a joke. Either that or they think they can tell Jerry Seinfeld how to be funny

“There’s a creepy PC thing out there that really bothers me.” – Jerry Seinfeld

“Our college campuses have become places where people are afraid of ideas. They think they know the truth and everything they need to know, about race, about gender, about rape, about you name it. They don’t want to hear opposing points of view. Opposing points of view just offend them. They want to be kept safe from ideas they disagree with. People today when they enter college want to leave with exactly the same ideas as when they entered. They do not want their ideas to be challenged.” – Alan Dershowitz, Harvard Law Professor

But there are also a lot of people out there who are far too sensitive, who get offended by every little thing, who use words like “bigot”, “fascist”, “racist”, “sexist”, “homophobe”, “Nazi” etc. as a weapon to censor and silence anyone they disagree with, or anything they don’t like.

This is what I hate most about political correctness: In theory it’s a good thing, I don’t believe anyone should intentionally be cruel, offensive, rude, racist, sexist etc. and I know there are lots of assholes, bitches, bigots, racists, sexists, psychopaths, sociopaths, thugs etc. out there who say and do things to provoke and hurt people.

Obviously I’m not the only one who feels this way. Millions of people do.

According to a 2016 Angus Reid Institute survey, 76% per cent of Canadians (widely regarded as the friendliest people in the world) think political correctness has gone too far, as do the majority of Americans, English, Australians and New Zealanders. They’re not wrong.

In fact, I think the main reason shows like Family Guy and South Park are so popular is precisely because they’re so politically incorrect. I also think that’s one of the main reasons Donald Trump got into the White House. People are just sick and tired of PC bullshit.

Political incorrect truths

There are only 2 genders. Male and female. Deal with it. Not 71 genders: 71 genders No sexless aliens: sexless alien No ‘trans-species’ elfs: trans-species elf Men cannot become 6 year old girls: 6 year old girl Men cannot become Filipino women: Filipino woman and there is no such thing as “trans-racial”

Children growing up in 2 parent families do better

Everyone is biased towards their own race

Fat is not healthy – or sexy

Feminists are often just angry man haters who engage in misandry

Height matters

Looks matter

Men and women are not equal. They are different. Men have strengths women don’t have. Women have strengths men don’t have. Duh.

Islam is not a religion of peace

Most African countries are shit holes (not just Haiti)

Some countries and cultures are objectively better than others

Free Speech vs Political Correctness

In summary: We can either have free speech or political correctness – but not both.

No culture, gender, group, ideology, race, religion, tradition etc. should be off limits or protected from criticism if/when it’s in the wrong.

The truth doesn’t need defending. Wrong is wrong. No matter who says or does it.

You maybe forced to speak in a politically correct way in your school or in your workplace, but don’t let the PC thought police or SJW’s censor your thinking, and tell you what you can and can’t think or what’s “appropriate”.

If you’re thinking: “I want to live in a world with free speech – but not hate speech”, let me ask you something: If normal words like: “boy”, “girl”, “man”, “woman”, “ladies”, “gentleman”, “mother”, “father” etc. are now considered “offensive” and “politically incorrect” what words are going to be offensive next?

Where do we draw the line?

SJW’s are some of the biggest hypocrites on earth:

They want to be heard – but they don’t want to listen.

They talk about tolerance and respect – yet they have zero tolerance or respect for anyone that disagrees with them. They demand “safe spaces” and “trigger warnings”, yet they have no problem yelling, screaming, swearing, protesting, rioting, destroying property and committing acts of violence etc. the moment they don’t get their own way. Why should a small group of constantly unhappy people who love to bitch and moan and complain about everything, be able to tell the rest of the world what they can and can’t say? To the constantly offended I say this: Who cares if you’re offended? Fuck your feelings. Get over yourself. Just because you’re offended that doesn’t mean you’re right. I’ve heard it said: “I’d rather be correct than politically correct” And: “Being politically correct doesn’t make you correct” I agree. OK, let’s lighten things up a bit…

Groupthink

“If everyone is thinking alike then somebody isn’t thinking.” – George S. Patton

What is Groupthink?

“Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. Group members try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without critical evaluation of alternative viewpoints by actively suppressing dissenting viewpoints, and by isolating themselves from outside influences.” – Wikipedia

In other words: Groupthink is when people in a group seek consensus and unanimity, even if it results in an irrational decision being made.

What causes Groupthink?

When a dominant leader, manager, or personality of a group surrounds themselves with “yes men”

When the leader, manager, or members of the group, is quick to shut down any contrary opinions, dissent, or negative feedback

When peer pressure from either the leader of a group, or from within the group itself, forces people to come to a certain consensus, even if it’s a false consensus

When political correctness forces self-censorship and the suppression of ideas and opinions that are controversial and “un-PC” and outside of the status quo

The illusion of unanimity: Because everyone in the group is silent and no one in the group is speaking up and saying anything, everyone assumes that everyone else in the group agrees and feels the same way

When someone disagrees with the consensus, or the majority, or just isn’t sure, stays silent instead of asking a ‘silly’ question, or voicing what might be an unpopular opinion, in order to avoid conflict, or for fear of disapproval or judgement or being ostracized by the group

When people go along to get along, so as to avoid conflict, or to end the meeting because they don’t believe that their ideas will be taken seriously

When people are closed minded to other alternatives and think there is only one way

When differences are dismissed from outsiders and rationalized “You just think that way because you’re a (insert group or ideology)”

When people in the group ignore their gut feelings that something might be wrong, and ignore any obvious dangers and warning signs

When a group of people who think alike, spend all of their time in echo chambers and only talk, listen, and spend time with people who agree with them and think like them

Let’s be honest: Most people are followers who are too lazy to think for themselves and will simply follow the crowd and believe whatever everyone else does

Groupthink is a major problem. You see it everywhere: In schools, social circles, the corporate world, the military, and especially in political parties and religions.

It’s amazing how common Groupthink and conformity is:

Soloman Asch’s Conformity Experiments in 1951 – people will deny their own eyes:

How to avoid Groupthink

How do you avoid Groupthink?

If you are the leader of the group: Hire and surround yourself with smart people who think differently than you Let everyone know it’s okay to disagree, and to have other opinions, perspectives and ideas. There are no bad ideas, stupid questions (the only stupid question is the one you don’t ask) or “wrong” perspectives Don’t share what you think until everyone else has first shared their opinions so as not to influence the group Don’t criticize the ideas of people you don’t agree with and don’t shoot them down for having a different opinion. You want as many ideas, opinions, and perspectives on the table as possible Encourage debate and disagreement, and if no one is disagreeing, get one person to play devils advocate to provoke debate or to test the strength of the argument Have a structured debate. Randomly assign different team members to argue opposing points of view. If everyone is in agreement, find out why they agree, and what evidence they have for their opinions. How did they come to that conclusion? What reasons do they have for that belief? Some people are shy and won’t speak up or participate – put them on the spot and ask them what they think Encourage anonymous suggestions

Think for yourself – don’t just follow the crowd and think and do what everyone else does

Get out of your echo chamber and consciously seek out arguments from people who disagree with you, especially experts, and find out why they disagree with you

Ask people you admire and respect who are smarter and more experienced than you to attack/criticize/review your plans

Do your homework and research the history of people who’ve tried your idea and failed – and find out why they’ve failed, and become aware of the consequences if you’re wrong

Stop thinking what everyone thinks.

Stop believing what everyone believes.

Think for yourself. You have a brain so use it.

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.” – Mark Twain

“It’s better to walk alone, than with the crowd going in the wrong direction.” – Diane Grant

“The fact that millions of people share the same vices does not make these vices virtues, the fact that they share so many errors does not make the errors to be truths, and the fact that millions of people share the same form of mental pathology does not make these people sane.” – Erich Fromm, The Sane Society

“Think for yourself. Unplug yourself from follow-the-follower groupthink, and virtually ignore what everyone else in your industry is saying (except the ones everyone agrees is crazy). Do your own research, draw your own conclusions, set your own course, and stick to your guns. When you’re just starting out, people will tell you you’re wrong. After you’ve blown past them, they’ll tell you you’re crazy. A few years after that, they’ll (privately) ask you to mentor them.” – Steve Pavlina

Tribalism

“People who think with their epidermis or their genitalia or their clan are the problem. If I would not vote against someone on the grounds of ‘race’ or ‘gender’ alone, then by the exact same token I would not cast a vote in his or her favor for the identical reason.” – Christopher Hitchens

Similar to Groupthink is tribalism, which is when people have loyalty to their country, culture, gender, group, political party, race, religion etc. above all else no matter what.

You see this all the time.

Catholic priests covering up the molestation and sexual abuse of children when it’s done by other priests.

Church (tribe) first – morals second.

Christians, Jews, Muslims etc. standing up for people in their religion – even when they know they’re in the wrong – simply because they belong to the same religion.

Women standing up for other women in an argument with a man – even when they know they’re in the wrong – simply because they’re women.

Their allegiance is to the tribe – not to the truth.

Tribalism is an “us vs them”, we are the “good guys” and they are the “bad guys” mentality. It’s a primitive shit brained black and white type of thinking that only leads to conflict, fighting, racism, sexism, prejudice and war.

I’ll be honest, personally I’ve never really understood tribalism.

My loyalty is to the truth. To the facts. To what’s right. To what I consider “the best”.

I wouldn’t take the side of my family, friends, girlfriend, parents etc. if I thought they were in the wrong – and I’m an extremely loyal person. That doesn’t mean that I would take the side of the stranger and disagree with them in public if I thought they would lose face, but it does mean that I would definitely say to my friend/girlfriend/parent etc. in private that I thought the other person was right.

Tribalism seems to be far too common in American politics and race relations. There are far too many people sticking up for their own gender, race, religion, political party etc. even when they know they’re wrong – simply because that person, party, group etc. is part of their tribe.

Sam Harris perfectly sums up the problems with tribalism and identity politics in this video:

The bottom line is:

You will either have an allegiance to your tribe or to the truth. You cannot have both.

You maybe part of a tribe (almost everyone is) but don’t let the tribe do your thinking for you, and don’t take the side of your tribe over the truth.

Think for yourself.

“I think tribalism is a mental prison…and pride of identity coupled with arrogance is one of the leading factors that limit one’s ability to abandon it.” – Duop Chak Wuol

“I think the biggest threat to America is tribalism. I think that tribalism has broken out on the left and the right. People don’t seem to care about the truth anymore, they seem to care about whether it helps my side or it helps your side, and that is really, really, dangerous, because then we can no longer have a conversation. If we can’t agree on a common basis of facts, we can’t have a conversation in the first place, if you’re just going to assume that I’m evil on the basis of my political perspective, then we can’t have a conversation.” – Ben Shapiro

The Bandwagon effect