"My time in a cult taught me how to identify techniques used by those in power to stay in power. One of the most effective is what is called "groupthink". Key is ensuring the group beware of others feelings to the point that they no longer express their own.
Folks acquiesce to groupthink when they feel the pressure of the group to conform and not be a stick in the mud, the racist, or whatever other name calling is fashionable at the time. Secondly, groupthink can occur when folks feel powerless to change the mind of the leader(s). The presence of either of these indicate you are living in a hive mind, and are in a cult. If not checked, it will result in the death an misery of most of the participants.
When I comment, I prefer to reserve my empathy for the individual only. I could care less what the group thinks. I would encourage everyone else to do so. To love your neighbor as yourself might just mean carrying a F
K Turdeau flag for someone else, even though maybe not for you."
