The Wave
Date: April 25, 2004 07:27AM
This is more of a heads up thread.
But if any of our readers are confused as to how people are lured into groups or be moulded into a particular line of thinking and action.
When we convince ourselves, "we'll never fall that" , how easy it was and how we loathe the fact that we were taken for a ride.
Then I can recommend a docu-drama that recreated an actual incident at an American High School (early 80's I think was on video or now on dvd) where a history teacher teaches his students about Hitler and Nazism.
The students ask how was it possible to transform decent German citizens into supporting and carrying out the will of the Nazis.
In response to this question the history teacher starts to encourage his students to form a power base within the class, create a dynamic name/identity, determine who the leader should be, start to influence other students to join the group.
Watch the results!
Its called "The Wave" , it has a very poignant ending which I won't spoil for others to watch. Mighy be a bit surreal but outlines the way in which people can be manipulated rather well.
An interesting story, but frightening at the same time what a fine vyneer there is in society between common decency and barbarism.
D