Monday, July 25, 2011

Fanaticism

What we witnessed in Norway was fanaticism, which has two elements: the fanatic thinks he possesses the truth and nothing anyone else says or does can ever dissuade or change him. Fanaticism affords certainty, and certainty can be deeply reassuring in a complex and uncertain time in history. It can make what Eric Hoffer called the "true believer" feel safer and less vulnerable.

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