The Bias Virus
By R.A. Roth
August 12, 2020
Interactive Media Systems
Bias: To influence in a particular, typically unfair
direction, an unfair act or policy stemming from prejudice.
Biases have probably been part of the human condition since
the earliest Homo sapiens appeared in the evolutionary scale of development.
Biases are typically formed through environmental conditions starting with
parental interactions, then as one matures using perceived observations of the
life around them. How one comprehends what is observed and learned ultimately
is a major factor in the biases that will probably dominate the rest of a
person’s life.
Given some thought, the effects of biases are very similar to
a virus, and sadly not one that is easily if ever cured. We are all in some
form or another infected with various levels of biases covering a wide variety
of subjects and opinions. Yes, it is true that a bias can be based on fact that
is provable, which does validate the bias. Typically, a bias is based solely on
opinion and nothing more, and that bias will be defended and be a motivating
force just as if it was based on verifiable
fact.
If one examines biases as if it were a virus what part of the
human psyche does it infect? It attacks the ego, the division of the psyche
that is conscious, that most immediately controls thought and behavior, and
most in touch with external reality. The ego can also represent an exaggerated
sense of self-importance and conceit, pride in oneself, one’s self-esteem.
Biases that are formulated on opinions and prejudices, and then supported by
the now infected ego that can now be destructive force both internal and
external, which can greatly affect those around us.
We
all have an ego; it is the motivator, our self confidence, our persona that is
the true power broker of our being, the role that one assumes or displays in
public or society; one's public image or personality, as distinguished from the
inner self. But, beware the ego is the worst confidence trickster we could ever
imagine, because you don’t see it. The single biggest con is the ego that can
make you think “I am you.” The
problem is the ego hides in the last place you would ever look, within it self.
It disguises it’s thoughts as your
thoughts, its feeling as your feelings, you think it is you.
People’s needs to protect their own ego knows no bounds, they
will lie, cheat, steal, kill, do what ever it takes to maintain what is called
ego boundaries. People have no clue that they are in prison, they don’t know
there is an ego; they don’t know the distinction.
At first it is difficult for the mind to accept there is
something beyond itself, there is something of greater value and greater
capacity for asserting truth than itself. The ego can create an imaginary
external enemy, which then becomes a real enemy within us and a real danger.
There is no such thing as an external enemy no matter what that voice in your head is telling you. All perception of this enemy is a projection of your ego active
within you. Your greatest enemy is your own inner perceptions, your own
ignorance; your own ego.
Once a bias is formulated it then resides in the ego. The ego
will protect at any cost that newly embraced opinion whether correct factually
or not. It will defend with any sacrifice; manufacturing false narratives to
shield and guard it.
Biases and the ego go hand in hand, and once the bias has
firmly infiltrated the ego the ego will then protect the bias, filtering all
input to insure compliance to what now has become a belief. A conviction so
powerful that nothing can penetrate or modify that biased opinion. Any
information offered, regardless of validity, anything contrary to that
protected opinion will be opposed with such vigor and confidence and done
despite the factuality of that input. The ego will defend this bias to the
point of personal embarrassment. Meanwhile the ego cloaks any humiliation to
the external persona.
If only biases could be treated like a virus; inoculated
against to insure that the ego stays healthy and free of prejudices,
hypocrisies, bigotry and intolerance … But,
it can’t. It is not an infection that is caught overnight, but one that is
built upon from our earliest years of growth and development.
However, the elitists in our society have understood that a
belief system can be simply engineered, particularly at certain ages within the maturing process.
As the art, or science
if you will, of marketing is used as a powerful
tool to model
the needs and beliefs developed it then became a tool of your
educators. As universities , starting
in the sixties , became more
populated with socialistic minded teachers and professors who are more focused
on social engineering than educating
the fresh open mind of the student
which is so ripe to accept the opinions and biases of those seemly
so knowledgeable and in control.
Those graduated students have now found their way to the
media, politics and positions holding the bully pulpit of public opinion. Their
biased egos are now in control, filtering every word, every action offered to
the uninformed “ignorant” public.
This biased virus will change this country and not for the better. Do they know
what they are doing? No, of course not! Their ego is at work convincing them
that they know better; they are superior to the rest. They feed on each others
egos each supporting their biased agendas, their narratives of what should be.
They are dangerous! Because their egos tell them they are
right, they have permission to achieve their ends by any means. An ego with
such an exaggerated sense of self- importance and conceit that it permits them
to manipulate , lie, cheat, steal and worse if necessary, all done to
substantiate and validate their formulated ideologies.
Beware of not just their biases, but yours too!