On Slander, Criticism, and Condemnation
Why do slander, condemnation, and criticism towards others occur?
All actions are based on certain conditions, and people criticize when those conditions, which they have linked to specific responses, are met. Since this behavior is driven by associated information, the reasons for such actions are not uniformly determined, but the following tendencies are often observed:
Dangerous Conditions
Principle: Actions taken in response to perceived danger. In other words, the person perceives something as a threat.
1.Feeling Attacked:
The individual feels targeted by the other person’s comments (verbal abuse) or rejection.
They perceive that the other person is unfairly exploiting their abilities or benefits.
2.Perceiving a Loss of Benefits:
The individual believes the other person has the potential to surpass them.
They feel the other person is acquiring something they desire.
They sense that someone they like is interested in the other person.
They believe they are being excluded from benefits that the other person could provide.
3.Feeling That an Enemy is Thriving:
The individual perceives the other person is gaining through deceit (lying).
They feel that someone they dislike is gaining positive recognition.
Beneficial Conditions
Principle: Actions taken in pursuit of perceived benefits. In other words, the individual has experienced positive outcomes from such behavior in the past.
1.Receiving Praise for Criticizing Mistakes (or Wrongdoings):
The person has been praised or admired for pointing out or attacking mistakes or wrongdoings.
2.Feeling Successful in Repelling Enemies:
The individual has felt that attacking others has successfully repelled threats or adversaries.
The above outlines the basic structure, but realistically, it is nearly impossible to correct (normalize the association of information for) everyone.
This difficulty is exacerbated by the significant negative influence of media. In recent times, the ability for anyone to broadcast to a wide audience has led to a degradation of moral values, especially when people with low moral standards gain attention and influence.
Additionally, media often prioritize profits, leading to content that emphasizes dangerous conditions, which attract more attention. This makes negative emotions more likely to be associated with information.
Moreover, the balance of benefits and risks in broadcast information is often skewed. For example, when criminals who commit fraud are lightly punished despite gaining significant amounts, it can lead to an increase in people who are tempted to imitate such behavior.
To improve the world, it is important to focus on two key areas: promoting the dissemination (and education) of correct information and creating mechanisms to prevent wrongdoing.
Promoting Correct Information Dissemination (Education)
One example of how to promote the proper dissemination of information includes:
- For the Sender: Think about how to phrase statements in a way that minimizes negative feelings among the audience.
- For the Receiver: Understand that the sender might lack malice and simply be awkward or unsure of how to express themselves properly. Consider the background and intentions behind the sender’s words to avoid negative feelings.
Creating Mechanisms to Prevent Wrongdoing
One example of creating mechanisms to prevent wrongdoing includes:
- Identity Disclosure for Statements: For instance, on platforms like Twitter, require identity verification when registering, use real names for accounts, and ensure immediate identification if violations occur.
- Strengthening Penalties: For example, impose one week of imprisonment per instance of slander, prohibit the use of the dominant hand for a period proportional to the amount of money involved in fraud, impose one day of imprisonment per photo for unauthorized filming, and remove one testicle per instance of rape.
*However, it is crucial to note that, currently, there are limited opportunities to learn about the law. Therefore, creating an environment where people can learn about legal matters is a fundamental first step.
I’m currently writing about ways to eliminate bullying and war…