Chapters 8 and 9

 Chapter 8 Persecution Mania was a topic that I’ve heard of before but was not aware that it had an actual term or name to it.

Russell describes Persecution Mania as perpetually the victim of ingratitude, unkindness, and treachery. I honestly believe that we all exhibit layers of particular mania. I think it is “taught” to us from birth that we, in fact, matter and that we are entitled to certain desires, however when we encounter the opposite of unable to achieve or fulfill said desire we are flabbergasted. I think this phenomena varies from collective group to collective group however. Those typically in a more well to do scenario who experienced little hardships, discrimination and such, exude a greater amount of persecution mania than those who have encountered these things. Russell gives the example of a playwright whose lack of success is blamed on a refusal to fawn or some other credible reason and references malicious gossip in relation: Consider malicious gossip. We all do it, but when we learn that others have engaged in this at our expense, we are terribly aggrieved. 

He allocates four categories to this theory.  The first is: remember that your motives are not always as altruistic as they seem to yourself. The second is: don't overestimate your own merits. The third is: don't expect others to take as much interest in you as you do yourself. And the fourth is: don't imagine that most people give enough thought to you to have any special desire to persecute you. 

What I gathered from this chapter is that society is inherently self centered.  Even under the best intentions, we hold ourselves in high regard. When that regard is not reciprocated, we struggle to understand why. Dwelling on that lack of reciprocation can lead to feeling unhappy with one's self and choices. 

As Russell states, “The lack of interest by others suggests conspiracy, at least to the victim, who attaches undue importance to facts which are perhaps exceptional rather than typical.” 

Chapter 9 only adds to the merit of chapter 8. Fear of public opinion seems highly rooted in believing that what you bring to the table or who you represent matters in some aspect,(matters more to others, and not necessarily to yourself) otherwise, fear of public opinion would be a moot point. Russell begins the chapter by expressing how very few people can be happy unless on the whole their way of life and their outlook on the world is approved by those with whom they have social relations. He dates this idea all the way back to the Renaissance era. I digested that it takes a great deal of perseverance to overcome the fear of what others think.  Though we encounter this feeling throughout life, Russell mentions that the youth may experience this sense of fear of rejection more. Perhaps the experience level is that same from youth to adulthood, however, we grow into learning how to manage it more appropriately. Younger people tend to harbor their emotions quickly and openly, sometimes without internal contemplation or processing; and I think that can lead to an increased sense of jumping to feeling inadequate and concerned about what others think. I don’t particularly believe that the level of pressure on an individual decreases over time. Perhaps just changes faces. He says that adolescence is extremely tiring. I don’t remember all the circumstances I went through in adolescence. But I’m sure there was a great deal of drama and angst. Having two younger kids, I am just beginning to witness first hand the constant internal dialog and conflicts that come along with being young boys. They exhaust me from time to time. :)  

We simply tie too much of existing on how others will perceive our existence. No wonder fear of public opinion factors into overall happiness. Fear of public opinion, like every other form of fear, is oppressive and stunts growth. Russell concludes that it is impossible to acquire a spirit of freedom that leads to an amount of happiness. I disagree, while it is extremely difficult “to master”, I do think it is possible to find a spirit of freedom from fear of others' opinions. It takes a raw level of self reflection and patience that many of us are too encouraged to practice or ever shown how to do.