3) Mind of the Masses 2) The Ring
Sometimes I gamble. Sometimes I worry.
Sometimes I wonder which cards to keep.
I've broken even. I've even won some.
I've lost my car keys. I've lost some sleep.
The only problem: it's addicting.
Win or lose, I'll play again.
I don't care though, I'll be right over.
I'll bring a six-pack. Just deal me in.
Malcolm Mohil
"My Lucky Card"
“Wow! That was pretty cool. I felt so in tune with J and Steph. It was like I knew what they were feeling. And I wasn't alone. Did you see how everyone turned their attention to watch?" Malcolm queried Becky.
"Yeah," Becky replied, "I think everyone felt empathy for them. It always amazes me how events can cause large groups of people to forget themselves for a moment and focus on a common thing. It's almost like mass hypnosis."
"You mean things like spectator sports?" Malcolm asked. "I never understood why thousands of people gather to watch some dudes in tights toss a ball around. I always thought the fans were brainwashed or something."
"I suppose in some was they are," Becky reaffirmed. "Concerts, worship services and sports all have appeal because people need to connect with things outside of themselves in order to feel alive. Part of the reason's because of group bonding. There's a kind of security and camaraderie in being in a place with lots of people. Particularly when everybody's experiencing the same thing they find enjoyable. Plus, people want to be entertained."
"Like a keg party!" Brett joked. "Everybody's celebrating and getting drunk and making new friends!"
Malcolm rolled his eyes.
"Yep, like a keg party." Becky laughed and continued, "and like this bar, too. Also, like a football game. Sure, there are opposing teams, but that's what makes it exciting. Watching two teams pound each other creates an adrenaline rush. When you stand behind your team and root for them you in a sense become part of the pack. An extended family. In this case, a civilized army. You're fighting your rivals. It's war; a primal instinct, like hunting. The cause may be superficial, but it still elicits a similar biochemical response in the brain. People feel pride, hostility, compassion, frustration, joy and sadness just by watching guys toss a ball around. People feel alive watching sports and when they gather together it increases its power and affect on the mind because of the cheering and excitement everybody's displaying. Everybody's inspiring everybody in a sort of feedback affect.
"People are passionate about their teams because they’re addicted to the brain chemicals released and the feelings they create. It's hypnosis because most people don't realize what's happening to them. They’re slowly being trained to have loyalty for their team and buy all the merchandise associated with the game. It's big business both in its ability to manipulate people on a massive scale and in the amount of money generated."
"Throw in some cheep beer to loosen the fans up, play some loud, cheerful music and let the games begin!" Brett said, raising his glass to make a toast.
"It's great, isn't it?" Becky asked rhetorically. "The funny thing is, it's a primitive thing. We’re still hunters deep down. We have the same feelings our ancient ancestors did. We just have different reasons for expressing them. It's not a bad thing. I love going to football games. It's exciting," Becky concluded.
Malcolm thought for a moment, took a gulp of his ale and said, "It makes you wonder if companies use that knowledge to their advantage. I mean, if I owned a sports team, I'd want to attract fans. So in order to gather public support, I'd have to market my players and my team. I'd need to encourage their passion and sympathy towards my guys so they'd come out and watch them play."
"That's why you have all the paraphernalia. Sure, they’re moneymakers, but they're also powerful psychological manipulators. Team emblems offer symbols fans recognize, can gather behind and use to associate feelings of loyalty. They're like national flags. Wave the flag, and you're patriotic. Wear a baseball hat with your team emblem on it and you're part of the pack."
"So, each time I see a Seahawks emblem, I'm remembering my loyalty?" Brett asked.
"If you're a fan, then precisely. Unconsciously, at least. And also developing kinship with other fans. These symbols are a way to unify the masses. When the brain sees a symbol, it remembers what it represents and produces feeling associated with that symbol. In this case loyalty," Becky answered.
"I've heard about associative memories. Sometimes, I'll hear a song and remember something that happened a long time ago, something that was related to that song. If I let it go long enough I can even feel what it was like to be in the situation. It's like I'm there again. Living in my past," Malcolm said.
"It's powerful stuff, and also dangerous. It's scary, because it's so easy to live in the past. It's so easy to let memories control our lives because it's familiar. It's the brain's way of keeping itself active and insuring itself it still exists. Since past memories are used to define the personality, remembering the past reinforces the personality's existence. Every time a past memory's enacted, it strengthens the neural connections, keeping that memory alive. The down side of this is things like phobias stay with a person for their life. There are so many people who are afraid to do things because of childhood traumas. Things me and you take for granted, like swimming or even riding an elevator. People limit themselves because of their past. They're afraid to do things because the brain carries a dark memory associated with elevators or swimming pools."
"Or heartbreak," Malcolm sighed.
"God, like heartbreak. People who've been hurt by love often times become jaded because of the strong emotional response to losing love. These become heavy memories closing people off to experiencing love again. Because they're afraid to be hurt."
Both Malcolm and Becky took this moment to drink beer and remember their broken hearts. They looked at each other cautiously, yet optimistically. If they’re going to criticize living in the past, they at least had to pretend to be conscious of their own limitations and try to rise above them.
"Another symbol that's pretty powerful is a ring," Becky said, breaking the silence. "When I saw Jason pull out that ring, my heart went wild. To me it symbolizes a strong commitment to love. It's very special. My brain won't let me forget that."
"I felt it, too. We both must be brainwashed. Our society's done a good job programming us into thinking there's such a thing as ever lasting love," Malcolm replied.
"Malcolm! Why so cynical? Don't you believe there's someone out there who you could devote your life to?" Becky teased.
"More than anything. I'd love to meet her and give her my heart, but she seems so elusive. I've cared for other girls and thought she was the one, but after the initial infatuation wore off, either me or her realized what we saw in the other was more expectation and fantasy than reality. So yes, I'm cynical because I've been deceived by my heart and brain and thus have been hurt or have broken someone else's heart. It sucks. I mean, I'm glad I loved who I've loved and wouldn't not want to love, I just wish I wasn't programmed into thinking there's such a thing as ever lasting love. Perhaps, then it would be easier to let someone go," Malcolm stated.
They stared at each other until Jason broke the silence. "Hey you guys. Steph and I are gonna have a private celebration. Hope you understand. Mal, are we still on for racquetball tomorrow night?" Jason asked.
"Yeah, of course bro. I'll meet you around 7?" Malcolm asked back.
"Sounds great. Goodnight, my friends. It's going to be a goood night!" Jason bragged as Stephanie's face blushed.
"Congratulations, you two. You both deserve each other," Becky said.
"Thanks, Becky. See you in class tomorrow," Stephanie said as she grabbed Jason. They held each other tight as they left the bar.
Brett noticed some friends across the room, so he excused himself to go and chat with them, leaving Malcolm and Becky alone with each other.