#187: Understanding Mass Formation with Mattias Desmet

Rethinking Norms

Mattias Desmet argues that striving to return to the "old normal" post-pandemic is counterproductive, as it was marked by widespread dissatisfaction and meaningless jobs. He suggests that the emergence of mass formation was a response to the inadequacies of the old normal, which included burnout, depression, and a lack of social bonds 1. Desmet emphasizes the need for a new normal that fosters genuine connections and reduces social isolation, which could improve both mental and physical health 2.

The new normal doesn't have to be a technocratic normal, where everybody is tracked and traced, and when there is social segregation.

--- Mattias Desmet

Mark Groves echoes this sentiment, highlighting the importance of moving away from technology-driven lives and towards community and connection 2.

   

Meaningless Jobs

Desmet highlights the prevalence of meaningless jobs, with studies showing that only 13% of people find their work meaningful. This lack of purpose contributes to societal discontent and free-floating anxiety, which can lead to mass formation when a narrative provides a focus for these feelings 3. He explains that when people lack social bonds and meaning, they become anxious and frustrated without knowing why, making them susceptible to collective strategies that promise control 3.

If these conditions are met in a society, then something very specific might happen.

--- Mattias Desmet

Mark Groves discusses the challenge of overcoming cognitive biases, which often prevent individuals from accepting information that contradicts their beliefs 4.