Cowardly Culture – Terrorism Nurture

By Randy Gonzalez

     The act of being cowardly infers the notions of a socio-political weakling in the face of conflict. It is a reflection of willful retreat when obstacles occur. Cowardice, by basic definition as agreed in mainstream dictionary reference, exhibits a lack of bravery. All too frequently, the internet provides overly simplistic definitional criteria. As such, the keen inquisitor or investigator delves more deeply into the “hero-coward” connection in modern society. Discouraging, though, as one tries to define the spineless emotional reactivity of a dying society, gasping for its last collective breath of “democratic republican” ideals, cowardly behavior is culturally rampant. This cultural cowardice has far-reaching implications for the future of our society. Examples, within American culture, can often be observed in politicians and pundits.

     Pundits used here generally refers to those involved or associated with so-called “news media” outlets, or any configuration of “infotainment”. Pundit, as a word, suggests a “commentator”, commenting on the daily news events. In the somewhat regressive framework of post-modern collectivist interactivity, one may simply say or use the phrase “mainstream media”. Regardless, the point is that in the vast reaches of the internet, there is an array of egregious inferences that build upon a strained psychodynamic nexus of hastily drawn conclusions. From incredibly foolish fallacies of inference, absent evidentiary substantiation, about the interactions of people. Nonetheless, the motivational factors are typically selfish in scope and intent.

     By contrast, in the quiet resolve of sober enclaves, a few dare the discourse of solemn concern over a seemingly regressing society. Hastily, by greedy purposes, the grotesque selfishness of some can be witnessed daily in numerous social activities. A fearful public recoils into timid self-victimization in an anti-intellectual climate by submitting to their voluntary enslavement. However, the solution to this societal cowardice lies in personal responsibility and societal engagement. Apparently, in the mainstream of social media, including the pretentious alleged news media, the slanting bent toward self-destruction woefully reflects an arrogance of profane ignorance. A topic that quickly comes to the forefront is that of terrorism. Additional meanings are necessary, as with the term cowardice, to further the discourse of terrorist behaviors.  Back to cowardly culture for the moment. Fearfulness to take proactive, productive actions in the face of any adversity can be seen in day-to-day human activities.

     As such, “cowardly culture for terrorism nurture” takes on the discourse of distinguishing and discerning meaningful classifications. Cowardly behaviors are expressed in a diversity of ways, means, and mannerisms. A quick perusal of a standard college text on the topic of terrorism typically begins with an elongated discussion of the term. Trying to find the specifications and characteristics that culminate in an effective description gets complicated. For instance, in one particular textbook on the subject, written by a college professor, an entire chapter goes in-depth addressing a range of definitions. In continuation, the follow-up chapters continue the adventure in explaining historical contexts and anecdotal criteria for socialization processes. As a side note, the skillful investigator addresses “academic perspective versus practitioner perspective”. In the real world of law enforcement, practitioner-driven viewpoints are critical to problem-solving.

     First responders and military personnel face and confront all manner of humanistic intentional dysfunction. Not only that, but when it comes to confronting serious and vital issues of lawful social order maintenance, acts of cowardly behavior become part of the real world. It affects public policy when politicians and pundits offer non-stop 24/7 criticism and bogus expertise, but very little, often nothing, in regard to realistic solutions. Likewise, influencing public policy by fear and force of an illegal nature, by purposeful violent acts, is, by one state’s definition, terrorism. Cowardice plays a significant role; inaction to take action is part of that.  In the performance of a logical analysis, as in an investigative process, observation is cautioned by virtue of the integrity of the observer. Facts confuse the foolish. More directly, evidentiary validation confounds the inexperienced youthfulness of self-promotion. A warning then, everything is to be questioned as to the efficacy of its claim or assertion. Behavioral terrorism is about selfishness.

     As some would allege, as here, bias influences conclusions, and the observer biases the observations. Regardless, though, in an escalating cowardly culture, influenced by polls and the mainstream media, fear of responsibility, and the overarching intent is to ensure the status quo, the promotion of consensus becomes oppressive. Such is a tyranny of discourse without recourse. It is crucial to question the information we receive to avoid falling into the trap of societal cowardice.  From compulsory education enforced on a national scale, to gluttonous mass marketing for greedy consumptive exploitation, those who assume a godlike perspective, given their status, insist upon “one size fits all”. A template of different applications signifies the contrived purposes of those desiring their enrichment at the price of conformity, consistency, and profit continuity. This concerns one person's illicit gain over another.

     To ensure a standard issue citizenry, fearful, dependent, and consumer-oriented, relies on the cowardly and deceptive actions to maintain oligarchic levels of privilege and entitlement.  Meanwhile, the smokescreen, the front story, and the sleight of hand allow the fomenting of a façade of disinformation and gross falsehood.  With that comes the feigning of feelings, the expressions of faked concern, and the pretense of emotionally laden connectivity. In reality, the pathological arrogance hides behind a mask of pretentious affinity.  This, of course, does not preclude the small number of those genuinely interested in a commonality of status quo relevance. There are always exceptions that follow the self-interests of an adopted axiom for any speculation. Overall, though, the conceited and showy faking of intimate affiliation remains a projection from the shadowy recesses of deceit. In darkness, there hides the spineless motivations.

     In a cowardly culture of inexperience protesting its lack of knowledgeable expertise, where informed maturity falters significantly, selfishness markets the profitability of its failed valor. Cowering villains, following the chase of their own vanity, the modern narcissus, unfaltering, finding favor in their imagery, cunningly use deception with exceptional appeal. From an internationally respected magazine, expounding upon politics on the net, a central theme echoes the haughtiness of post-modern regressive self-adulation. From that act, pretended or imagined, many foment the putrid blather of their own self-deceit. Concocted by the illusion of their elitist self-worth, a strain of “self-victimization” infuses their condescending arrogance. However, there are potential solutions to this issue. Encouraging open and honest dialogue, promoting empathy and understanding, and fostering a culture of courage and resilience can all contribute to combating the prevalence of cowardice in modern society.

     An expository point from the aforementioned writing, pseudo-intellectuals, foolish politicians, and neurotic academics claim the “social hygiene” of a superficial “master class”. Ye, one can infer the folly of a historic pretense to a “master race”, and “ideal human ethnicity”, and so on. Tinkering, tampering, and tooling about, with the haughty satiation of lustily limited mental alacrity, upper-class bastions “cultured” elitists play their godly games. While the surrounding interests of commerce and industry, community and politics, cower in their emotional reactivity of fearful collectivism, it hastens the downfall of a noble republic. Rather than all interests coming into unity, for the greater good as “we the people”, the egoistic intentions prefer the hedonistic selfishness of “divine right” by interfering in the freedoms of others. Yet, in that phrase, the "greater good", caution is warranted, as the con artistry is always present

     Scared are the many, and brave are the few, as cowards relish in the extortion of a few “social terrorists” who terrorize the majority. In a culture of fashionable cowardice, the illusions are a multiplicity of deceptions hiding behind mirrors of self-reflection. As mobs seize and burn, trash and defame a community’s history, antagonistic politicians and immature media pundits easily pontificate their childish solidarity. Immaturity grows from the weakness of intellectual defect in the failed understanding of significant points of historical reference. Hysterically emotional, the juvenile antics of children in adult bodies proclaim the idiocy of self-imposed abuse. By small and large acts of everyday cowardice, in the post-modern illusion of fearful morality, the socially incompetent resist very little. Herds of sheep, humans with wool pulled over their heads, acquiesce all too easily to the voluntary enslavement of their intentionally dulled senses. Compliant to dependence on status quo consensus at any price, the gluttonous minion of exploitation consumption fails to rise up to the smallest of offenses.

     Yet, in the larger scheme of things, like a revolution against an empire, or a civil war in a divided nation, standing up for the right principles devolves to silence. Cowardice relishes the weakness. Resisting terroristic instigations, from left, middle, or right, summons courageous creativity of grownup maturation. For the greater good, for a more perfect union, to ensure domestic tranquility, and promote the general welfare fade to the shadows of forgotten historical ideals. Instead, grotesque selfishness in child-like tantrums prefers to hurt the less fortunate for the gratuitous satiation of self-indulgent bullying behaviors. Unfortunately, ignorance travels far and wide, like a zombie virus; the stupidity knows no boundaries. Stifled by regressive timidity in innovative strategies, ascended to profound introspections of wiser ideations, most fail to grasp the harsh realities of human nature. Gutless ineptitude craves enslavement of mediocrity.

     Nearby, far and wide, terroristic intentions, bolstered by malice aforethought, freely envisioned in selfish intentions, lie in wait for every potential target of opportunistic gain. From academia to social media, the loudest voices typically are not the wisest nor the sagest of intellects. No, more often than not, the incessant 24/7 attention-getting selfie-soundbite is showmanship in an overpaid acting job. And frequently, the neediness to be noticed, to get attention, to be famous, and find a fortune in notoriety, reflects in the illusions of the poly-babble (ill-informed political inclinations). By constantly throwing up the gutless vomit of egregious fallacies, woefully deficient in facts, for the sexual satisfaction of the perpetrator, the idiocy becomes social policy. Truth devolves to decomposition, as fiction encourages all manner of deception.

     As one national magazine investigative journalist recently asserted, there is an atmosphere of dismissive smug piety, of self-appointed moral authority, and blatant social divisiveness. From that, a small percentage of unruly dissidents castigate the majority. However, an examination of their social credentials for such godly divine right of tyranny shows a serious lack of life experiences, depth of learning, well-educated application of skills, and transformative sage ascendency, or empathy for human fellowship.  On the contrary, the cowardly cultural terrorists, of one form or another, find comfort in the darkness of foolish self-aggrandizement.

     In a latte-skim milk self-possessed culture, where “selfies” chase fame, fortune, and feasting, with little or no exertion, selfishness seeks cowardly assurance. Sweating the neural muscular strain of climbing to higher states of mature intellectual enlightenment is very strenuous. A few, however, the brave, smaller numbers, the exceptions to the status quo, endeavor to rise above the essential embracing of “communal idiocy”. In this crowded theater of diverse characters, playing roles for which they have never rehearsed, or even know the script, the pretense of social competence finds solidarity in retreat from prosocial advancement for the greater good. Simplistic conjecture wears a mask of seemingly intellectual relevance, but remains shallow and foolish.

     A question arises. In a nation that defeats empires, wins independence against insurmountable odds, and espouses notions of exceptional freedoms, how did such cowardice arise? Trending in childish examples of moral weakness and intellectual depravity, how did creativity die out so quickly and embrace instant gratification? Further, in a society that overcame numerous human obstacles and financial distress, it has supported and rescued much of the world. How did self-reliance and individuality become so easily shunned? Meanwhile, a handful, a small percentage of the population, terrorizes the vast majority. A few “jihadists” use politicians and pundits, as well as foolhardy non-thinkers, to provoke cowardice among the masses.

     As one journalist writes, massive hysterical over-reaction, blubbering emotional divisiveness follows in the aftermath of infrequent terroristic events. Ignoring the factual data relative to numbers, types, and scope of incidents, or the probability of perpetration, fear is worth a televised commercial. Fear mongering is economically and politically advantageous to a host of special interests. In the subsequent manifestation of intentional terrors and purposeful fear, accountability, along with responsibility, is easily avoided. So long as it looks “good”, sounds “right”, or appears “genuine”, cowardice to anything contrary feels comforting. From the shadows of smoldering courageous potential, critical analysis offers wonderment for rational reality.

     Nonetheless, the myth, magic, and metaphors, poorly chosen ones of course, persist from immature and inexperienced infotainment reporters. Allegedly “reporting the news” but giving uninformed opinions instead, the machinery of consumer consumption rages the gossip of one irrelevant rumor after another. At the same time, the pablum of self-righteous armchair critics spews the pacification of superficial justifications. Reinforcing the cowering reactivity to the insidiousness of political correctness, perpetrated by a self-centered few, foments the eventual deterioration of the societal mainstream. Cowardice cultivates social demise.

          With nothing at risk, little or no exposure to harsh realities, and feeling instead of thinking, many cower in the presence of challenge, adversity, and problem-solving. Entering a frightening world where the game is not the same as a video arcade easily scares the woefully ignorant. Adapting purposefully from inner specters of personal dissent, retrenchment embraces the cowardly culture of a child inside an adult. From a fearful set of dysfunctional personality traits, the resistance to maturation, as well as enlightenment, premeditates the aims of achieving basic infantile needs. As time passes, a myriad of excuses are offered from the externality of others failing to self-evolve. In their own purposeful maladaptation, which meets their amative inclinations, the advice givers provoke the perpetuity of faltering consequences. Beware of false prophets. Critical analysis by way of deeper thinking becomes vital.

     Avoiding the challenges of growing up and assuming personal responsibility offers few easy options. Escaping the necessity of self-reliance, independence, and psychological liberation is profoundly and unrelentingly demanding. Yet, by the silliness of childish play, the sad saga of irresponsibility invites the pitiful rescue of those similarly inclined and steeped in their own self-doubt. Self-loathing is substitutable for the doubtful reflections of mirrored contempt. While some may come to the rescue, many do not help or otherwise rectify the self-imposed dilemmas of cowardice to be a grownup human. Foolish choices preclude the efficacy of rightful accountability for subsequent actions that stem from willful determinations.

     In the echo of narcissistic imagery, a shadowy splinter of personality looks back. From the darkness that mourns its abandonment, the necessity of knowing its relevance, that facial resonance demands action. Echoing with salacious urgency, it knows the manifestations of neglected confrontation. Without the indulgence of severe psychic liberation, experiencing the horrors of the realities inside, learning the experience of arduous entanglements, the puny, weak, and defeatist entity clutches the pablum of the unevolved infantile adult.

     In a cowardly culture, the “longhand” of interpersonal communication is purposefully devalued to the primal urgency of the moment. Immediate gratification precludes the strain of critical analysis. Logical frameworks of rigorously imaginative creativity regress. For the satiation, the depth of carnal self-indulgence, the skillset intentionally diminishes to a “shorthand” of feel-good expressionism. This reflects the mirrored selfishness of lazy thinking in the reflection of superficial interactions. A quick sleight of hand, when questions arise as to the extinction motivations, as to emotional responses in lieu of profound reasoning, it is an externality of blame. It was the “devil”, a mysterious force. Often heard, in complicity, is the notion that an institution of one type or another brought about the gradual encroachment of blissful ignorance. Rather than accept individual responsibility for an accountable perspective of self-reliance in personal enrichment, a faux-confident posture of “someone else” is responsible, mitigating the range of stupidity.

     A convenient scapegoat is the vast and complex public education system. Culpability for growing up and becoming a fully functioning, competent, and mature adult avoids the necessity of social obligation. This is the cowardly pathway to excusing the violence, the horrors of humanity, and the exploitation of both human and natural resources. As external “forces” mysteriously force the human to perform illicit tasks, against his or her will, conjured from hidden realms, an easy façade of rationalization justifies the intentional deception. Selfishness evades reality. To be indoctrinated is simplistic; to overcome the conventional, the contrived consensus, the status quo superficiality, serious courage is demanded. In that strenuous effort, the fearlessness of willful instigation must grip every sense of the salacious drive of amative eccentricity. The child must get over his or her romance with the echo of one’s imagery. Flirtation with the incestuous proclivities of self-centeredness fades to the self-evolving ascension of an enlightened transformation.

     The younglings must leave the grownups, or grow up. As a ghostly presence may appear from time to time, the manifestation encourages creativity. Maturation to higher spheres of thinking with the boldness to assert individuation fights against the tyranny of selfishness. From a cowardly culture, there comes all manner of deceit and treachery. Betrayal rides high on the pretenses of the smug piety of pleasurable ignorance. In such cowardice of self-promotion, the nature of terrorism knows few boundaries. Except for those brave enough to rise up and oppose the grotesque intentions of idiocy, the devolution hastens the end of the human species. For the so-called “radicalization” of this or that, the motivational factors remain historically, as well as contemporaneously, excuses that defend a cowardly culture for nurturing terrorism.