The battle between primitive instincts and advanced conscience has been eternal in the history of human civilization. On one side, there is 'mob violence' or group violence, which can wreak havoc in an instant. On the other side, there is 'consciousness', which brings long-term change and stability. From the scientific point of view, this is not just a social problem, but a complex game of neurobiology and evolutionary psychology of our brain. When a crowd goes crazy, it is not the conscience of a single person that works there; rather, the primitive emotions of the collective work. On the contrary, consciousness is the highest level of the human brain. In this article, we will analyze in the light of science why the power of consciousness is superior to mob violence and how it has changed the course of human history.
When people participate in mob violence, the amygdala (innocent) of the brain becomes active. This is the part of the brain that is responsible for fear, anger and the 'fight or flight' response. When a person is part of a mob, his pre-frontal cortex or the ability to think logically becomes temporarily useless. This is called 'amygdala hijack' in scientific terms.
On the other hand, awareness is directly linked to the pre-frontal cortex. It helps people control emotions and make far-sighted decisions. Science says that awareness increases people's empathy and dopamine release, which gives long-term satisfaction. Therefore, awareness is structurally more powerful and constructive for the human brain.
Although the use of force or mob violence temporarily satisfies the human ego, it hurts deeply. Psychologically, when someone is forced, the stress hormone 'cortisol' is released in their brain, which gives rise to hatred and revenge.
On the contrary, when someone is corrected through awareness or discussion, 'self-worth' or self-esteem is created in them. According to science, when a person's pre-frontal cortex is recognized, they behave cooperatively. Awareness suppresses a person's ego and develops personality, which is many times more effective than force.
From the scientific point of view, mobs are 'collective delusions' or collective delusions. On the other hand, epoch-making changes like the Renaissance or the Industrial Revolution came about through awareness. Awareness creates permanent synaptic connections in the human brain, which flow from generation to generation.
Mob violence results in the destruction of 'human capital' or human resources. When a person is educated through awareness, his neurons acquire the ability to solve complex problems. Mob violence not only causes biological death, it also kills the intellect and morality of a nation. According to science, an aware society means a better quality of life and longevity.
The main driving force of mob violence is criminality. When awareness decreases in a society, crime increases due to the influence of cortisol and testosterone, resulting in prisons and courts being full.
Violence can empty educational institutions. Places of worship fill up due to awareness work. On the other hand, awareness drives people towards spirituality and education. When a person goes to a place of worship or an educational institution, the hormones oxytocin and serotonin are released in the human brain, which strengthens peace and social bonds. The more empty the prisons, police stations and courts become, the more full the places of worship become. The emptying of schools means the death of consciousness, which in turn pushes a society towards mob violence.
Many people think that war means mob violence. But the 1971 Liberation War was the product of a well-organized national consciousness. The March 7 speech was basically a psychological priming, which made 70 million people aware of a specific goal. If it had been just mob violence, it would have ended in a few days. But the 9 months of disciplined resistance prove that it was the highest level of consciousness. In the language of science, it was 'collective resilience'.
Law and Courts: Mob violence is an 'anachronism' or going against the times. It rejects the state structure and takes the brain back to the primitive 'law of the jungle'. On the other hand, awareness makes people respect the law. According to science, the meaning of civilization is to keep our primitive instincts (Limbic system) under the rule of law (External Pre-frontal cortex).
Some scientific steps to get out of mob violence and become aware are:
* Critical Thinking Training: Giving children the opportunity to ask questions in the education system.
* Digital Literacy: Increasing the ability to recognize rumors on social media (which provoke the amygdala).
* Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Learning the scientific method of recognizing and controlling one's emotions.
* Social Bonding: Creating awareness clubs in neighborhoods that will increase oxytocin.
Mobs and Awareness in Democratic Elections: In a democracy, mob violence only brings chaos, not victory. Science says that when conscious voters make rational decisions, the 'cognitive stability' of the state is maintained. Victory gained through mob violence is actually a 'Pyrrhic Victory' or destructive victory, which does not last long.
Social Contagion: One of the scientific aspects of mob violence is 'social contagion' or social contagion. Just as yawning makes someone else yawn, similarly, seeing one person's anger activates the mirror neurons (striking) of others in the mob. Awareness is the only way to stop this contagious emotion.
In conclusion, it can be said that mob violence is like darkness, which is visible in the absence of light. According to science, awareness is not just a noble quality; it is the highest peak of human evolution. Awareness builds life, stabilizes society and strengthens the state. If we can cultivate a developed pre-frontal cortex or conscience by conquering the primitive part of our brain, only then will the world be free from mob violence. When society becomes conscious, not prisons, but libraries and schools become bustling with people. May awareness be the power to walk our path to the future.
The writer is President of the International Anti-Drug Organization - Freedom International Anti-Alcohol
