Paradocracy

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people all around the world were placing their trust in “the science”, believing the unbelievable and the unproven for a variety of reasons not specifically related to “science” at all. For instance, people worldwide bought into mandates around masking, experimental treatments, and the “six-feet rule” for “social distancing” — ideas promulgated at the time under the banner of “the science” but ultimately unsubstantiated by “science” and even later admitted arbitrary by the individual responsible for the “six-feet” rule. 

For most people, this was a matter of ill-placed confidence in their mainstream media outlets (which ultimately galvanized support by politicizing the issues), but even more so a case of people fearing what they didn’t (and still don’t) understand, placing their trust in the appointed “experts” and going along with the plan — especially when that plan made them the “good guys” aligned with “the science” against their political enemies who dared to hesitate, think for themselves, ask questions, or cast doubt.

As for “high IQ” people, there is added nuance. So far as the connection between “high IQ” people or established professionals (in technical or credentialed fields) and their readiness to embrace the conventional COVID-19 narrative, we mustn’t overlook the fact that “high IQ” students and professionals have habitually “succeeded” in life — academically and/or professionally — to the extent that they have conformed. 

Whether that be conformity with the teachings and expectations of their professors, the models, methodologies and theories promulgated in mainstream textbooks and research papers, or the standards, protocols, and policies of their organizations, they have been graded favorably, rewarded financially, promoted in their careers and made “successful” to the extent that they have conformed. 

Meanwhile, their instincts and practical skills are not sharpened or well-rehearsed in primitive environments (where they must fend off the wolves), nor are they particularly well-versed in rejecting peer pressure or the pressure to seek validation from those in positions of ‘authority’ (i.e. professors, employers, bosses); on the contrary, they are generally effective (to some extent) in matters of conceptualization but grossly limited in their specific purviews and interests, and ultimately masters of conformity: following instructions, complying with orders, moving with the crowd, fitting in, staying alive and remaining in the good graces of their peers, colleagues, and superiors. 

In many ways, a high enough IQ, and a high enough ability or a wide enough range of expertise, can actually mean blind spots — ignorance to relatively obvious or mundane facts — or otherwise sufficient intelligence to recognize enough of a threat to just blend in to avoid detection: to avoid being singled out, interrogated, harassed, and made to look foolish. 

After all, where a whole team of professionals and propagandists are prepared to make you look foolish, where they have the time, the tools and the resources, and more than ample rhetorical devices to accomplish the task, and where being labeled ‘foolish’ threatens a “high IQ” person’s self-esteem, as well as the credibility and reputation he’s worked to develop and maintain, it’s little surprise that many such people not only cave to the pressure but ultimately convince themselves that they are right — after all, intelligent people (such as those controlling the narrative or “the science”) generally know how to manipulate information to support their arguments, and some are even rehearsed or convincing enough that they can tame their own consciences.

With that combination of skills, they’re not only capable of believing the unbelievable but sleeping soundly at night in the comfort of believing they are right.

The temptation to conform is ubiquitous, as indispensable to our survival as our need to breathe. Those who failed to conform didn’t survive — they or their bloodlines (or their customs) faced ostracism or banishment and perished. It is a particularly threatening combination when that temptation is exploited to push the unproven on the people unprepared to accept it; and it is especially threatening when the conformists are armed with the weapons of government and the prying tools of rhetoric —taking the name of “the science” — to conquer, physically as well as intellectually, the rest of society that merely disagrees or takes a different position.

It is in just this way that people come to believe the unbelievable, and that the unbelievable threatens the unspeakable; and the unspeakable eventually becomes history. And people wonder how the unspeakable happens, even as they participate in it.