The Psychology of Public Life (or stream of (self) consciousness...)

Lord Owen, former politician and physician, recently wrote a paper for the Royal Society of Medicine on Hubris and Nemesis in Heads of Government - a subject which neatly combines his two areas of expertise and the subject of his forthcoming book.  Without commenting on the merits of his thesis, he suggests hubris is the result of over-certainty, not listening or consulting, going out on a limb. He concludes that political hubris may stem from some medical condition or syndrome :

"I believe hubris will be found to have an explanation in neuroscience. Meanwhile, we must assume that hubris may never be curbed or cured by doctors and only constant vigilance and the countervailing power of an active, probing and well-informed democracy will prevent it continuing to damage decision making amongst Heads of Government."

Besides reinforcing the case for an independent media, this prompted two thoughts -

1. Politicians would not be the only ones to suffer from syndromes which need monitoring and occasional intervention. Journalists have traditionally shrugged off the impact of what they witness, but increasingly it's being recognised that PTSD is a real issue in the profession. The Dart Centre and  Anthony Feinstein in particular have done good work on this. I have certainly recognised the symptoms in colleagues who have been in denial about it - and it does impact their work. Increasingly those responsible for sending reporters into warzones, for example, need to offer a range of support which includes the pshychological as well as the practical.  

It's also a truism that many successful people are driven by the psychological impact of events in their past.  The psychology of achievement is a fertile area for - well, analysis.

2. David Owen's article reminded me of the Adam Curtis documentary series, The Century of Self  which looks at Sigmund Freud, Edward Bernays and the birth of public relations, politics and the culture of spin and the rise of the "Me Generation".  Politics, psychology, PR, and sociology  - a potent mix, the consequences of which we can see all around us, according to Curtis, in the celebration of the individual, celebrity culture, ego and, perhaps, hubris and nemesis.

{Blogging of course is an egotistical exercise: you have to believe your observations have merit and are worth others reading. But it is also a social activity to the extent it is networked, linked and conversational  which is when it is at its best.)    

Where is this leading (you're entitled to ask)? Only to the simple observation that we over-celebrate the achievements of individuals,  and undervalue the work of teams. Teams offer a balance of experience and skills which, at their best, support each other to achieve more than any individual could, and avoid many pitfalls (eg hubris). And in my view team achievements and collaboration are far more satisfying and more productive than working on your own.

Comments

[proquest digital dissertations]

Blogs are good for every one where we get lots of information for any topics nice job keep it up !!!