Consider what we think of as reactions to threat – fight, flight, or freeze. Now consider a word I think conveys a fourth option – “Overkill.” In bubble awareness, each of these implies an intention to remove a threat with an action. That action provides me a sense of control to mitigate the fear:
- Fight – intention to confront a threat.
- Flight – intention to escape a threat.
- Freeze – intention to avoid a threat.
- Overkill – intention to destroy a threat.
Each of the above appears totally justifiable by the one perceiving the threat in that moment. Not necessarily when viewed from outside that perception.
Let’s look at some examples of logic overkill. This represents an over- compensation response to threat. It appears reasonable from the perspective of the one applying the logic. Excessive from outside that perspective. From the overkill perspective, actions taken may not be or ever be enough, yet are totally justifiable. Remember, these are responses to fear:
- Striking someone to get a point across.
- If one piece of cake is good, two even better, then more…
- If I go on a diet, I’ll have to starve.
- I know I can’t make the rent this month, but I gotta buy this…
- I’m not good enough, so this behavior tries to compensate for it.
- Temper tantrums, bullying, showing off, bragging.
- Winning an argument at any expense.
- Gossip, spreading rumors, fault-finding, fear-mongering.
- Flaunting wealth, education level, physical strength, social position, authority.
- Hoarding.
- Drug, child, animal abuse.
- Murder, genocide, prejudice and bias.
- Self-importance, self-deprivation.
- Wishful and magical thinking.
- Poverty consciousness.
- Revenge, back-stabbing, and other passive aggressive behaviors.
When is enough enough? Timing plays a huge role in knowing when to stop.
How Fear Turns Appropriate Into Inappropriate Action.
My body has two action channels: sympathetic (GO!) and parasympathetic (WHOA!). I use a combination of the two in every perception and action I take. The balance I justify between GO and WHOA determines my judgment of the appropriateness of my actions. This is completely independent of facts, objective measurement, or rational thought.
What might happen when fear causes my GO-WHOA equation to jump into overdrive? At some point, enough GO or WHOA results in overkill. Where is that point? Personally, I’d not like to test that boundary. Instead, I’d rather stay far closer to the neutral balance point. Angry not to the point of enraged. Desirous not to the point of neediness or theft. Etc.
Social Overkill Algorithms
Agreement about a threat can foster swarm or mob mentality that can lead to overkill like genocide. Basically, add sufficient fear to the mix and just about any relationship can devolve into overkill behaviors.
Some computer hackers use social engineering to entice someone to do something they wouldn’t ordinarily do – like click a dangerous link. Such social algorithms cause people to do hurtful things they would not ordinarily do. Add societal prejudices to the mix and the chemistry of mass fear will inevitably drive an excessive response.
Prejudice is an example of fear on automatic.
Sometimes that can lead to overkill – when societal fear rises to sufficient levels. One sees examples in the near-extermination of Native Americans in the 17th-19th Century and the Japanese-American internment program during WWII. Many examples exist that reveal the danger and damage of societal overkill.
On a personal level, this societal phenomena shows itself in my rage against opposing political personalities, parties and policies. At some point, I could be persuaded to take extreme action against them or their supporters – overkill.
That is, unless I use my language and/or emotional energy as a cue to question my beliefs. For example, I might think or say, “They always do that!” (referring to something I don’t like). I might question, “They?” and “Always?” That is, can I identify specific individuals or actions I don’t like? And, can I think of an exception to the “always” claim?
Questioning generalizations can sometimes stem the tide before it gets started. A simple question may be all it takes to avoid potential overkill. When enough isn’t enough, I might ask a useful question:
- What do I want?
- How can I get what I want?
- Why this in particular?
- Who am I?
