Next Thursday our local Tea Party group is hosting a
movie time event. The movie we are going to present is,
The Mortal Storm directed by Frank Borzages.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mortal_StormThe theme around this Jimmy Stewart movie is Normalcy Bias
or "That can never happen here" syndrome. With that said, I thought it might be an interesting discussion to have amongst the forum members.
Wikipedia defines Normalcy Bias as:The normalcy bias, or normality bias, refers to a mental state people enter when facing a disaster. It causes people to underestimate both the possibility of a disaster occurring and its possible effects. This often results in situations where people fail to adequately prepare for a disaster, and on a larger scale, the failure of governments to include the populace in its disaster preparations. The assumption that is made in the case of the normalcy bias is that since a disaster never has occurred then it never will occur. It also results in the inability of people to cope with a disaster once it occurs. People with a normalcy bias have difficulties reacting to something they have not experienced before. People also tend to interpret warnings in the most optimistic way possible, seizing on any ambiguities to infer a less serious situation.[
Effects:The normalcy bias often results in unnecessary deaths in disaster situations. The lack of preparation for disasters often leads to inadequate shelter, supplies, and evacuation plans. Even when all these things are in place, individuals with a normalcy bias often refuse to leave their homes. Studies have shown that more than 70% of people check with others before deciding to evacuate.[2]
Examples:Not limited to, but most notably: The Nazi genocide of millions of Jews. Even after knowing friends and family were being taken against their will, the Jewish community still stayed put, and refused to believe something was "going on." Because of the extreme nature of the situation it is understandable why most would deny it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normalcy_biasI must admit that at times I slack off of my prepping because I fall under the lure of Normalcy Bias. Then I see a story on the TV or read something in print that slaps me across the face and I start up again.
How would you rate your Normalcy Bias? How would you rate your family's and friends Normalcy Bias?
What other movies, books or events come to mind?
