The mentality of the mob

I have always been extremely sensitive; and this has often been evident whenever I watch films or read books. The realistic portrayal of human emotions, life and people (and animals and creatures of fiction, for that matter) can sometimes bring out very real emotions and reactions.

We were watching John Adams, the 2008 miniseries about the lawyer, politician and eventual second president of the United States of America. In the first episode, there is a most shocking scene depicting a mob cruelly subjecting a man to what is known as 'tarring and feathering'. It is a horrific act of public humiliation.


Here's a quote from an article in The New York Sun (2008):

In the first episode of HBO's "epic seven-part miniseries event" "John Adams," one of the most riveting scenes occurs at Boston Harbor, when a customs inspector or informant challenges John Hancock (Justin Theroux) for evading the taxes imposed by the British. "Teach him a lesson, tar the bastard," Hancock commands a mob, which proceeds to do exactly that to the poor accessory of the crown. This being HBO, there's a glimpse of full frontal nudity that is promptly drenched with hot tar. Hancock looks on, as do John Adams (Paul Giamatti) and his cousin Samuel (Danny Huston). "God, Sam, that's barbarism," John cries to his cousin, who stands silent. "Do you approve of this? Answer me, Sam, can you?"

I was so shocked I actually cried out and was in tears for a good while after. There is just something about witnessing another's humiliation that pulls at the strings of my heart. Often, this is more so when it is a man, for some reason. Even if it were some evil and cruel man. Subjecting another to humiliation, in my opinion, is one of the worst acts of mankind. Because I think a person's dignity and self-worth are sacred. To take those away - worst, to take pleasure in taking away a person's dignity and self-worth, is just absolutely deplorable. The sad thing is, it happens and it happens often. Bullying in schools. Mistreatment of prisoners and detainees. Domestic abuse. Child abuse - dear God there is nothing worse than child abuse. The mere thought of such cruelty cuts through me like a knife.

It is all amplified when such actions are conducted through the mindless force of the mob, driven purely by 'the moment' and each darkness of the heart being fuelled by others, feeding off one another's mania. They call it mob mentality, but there is nothing cerebral about it. It exposes the deepest darkest core of the human soul and it is ugly.