Changing the Mind of a Crowd

Insanity in individuals is something rare - but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -Friedrich Nietzsche, philosopher (1844-1900)

The Taliban has stepped up its attacks in Afghanistan. Women are threatened for not wearing the Burka to cover their face. Schools that teach girls are threatened by the Taliban. This despite five years of military force and billions of dollars spent on the forceful attempt to change the centuries old tribal culture of Afghanistan.

Charles MacKay said, "crowds go crazy quickly and come to their senses, slowly, one person at a time". In order to change the minds of a crowd the crowd must think each individual approves of the change. No one wants to go against the wishes of the tribe, even when they know the tribal behavior is wrong.

In the United States the crowd used to think blacks did not have equal rights. It was only after TV images of police dogs attacking blacks in Birmingham, AL that the crowd starting changing its mind, slowly, one person at a time. Images did not change some old minds, but they did change many young minds. Young people have their opinions formed for them, but, those opinions have not been hardened, as in someone who is too old to change. Young minds are still malleable.

Changing the minds of the oppressive culture of Islam should be attempted by dropping propaganda leaflets of the U. S. Bill of Rights. Web sites should be created to counter the recruitment sites for young Muslim terrorists. Ipods, cell phones, videos, and computers should be distributed to the towns and villages, along with medicine and food for the poor. The minds of young Muslims will be changed, slowly, one at a time.

Bilbo Baggins