The Civic Platform’s propaganda does not lead to victory in the elections, this victory has already been announced. “Chasing Kaczyński” is already a fact for them, prisons full of “piss” are logistically planned, the triumphant cackling has already been rehearsed. The more certain a vision of the future is, the more paranoid is the reaction to the fiasco. How will it be this time?
Tusk sect
Scientific studies show that after the deception is exposed, fanaticism increases. Research on “cognitive dissonance” began with the observation of a sect whose mechanism resembles the group “Together Strong” of the concrete electorate of PO or “Netwerk voor Elections” – an informal group of internet users by Roman Giertych, spreading aggressive trends on social media. Dorothy Martin is considered to be the founder of the first UFO cult in 1953-1955. Her followers (she was called Sister Tedra) believed that Earth was about to be destroyed by a great flood, but the aliens would come the day before for a selected group to take and save her. Martin (referred to as “Mrs. Keech” in scientific studies) is said to receive messages from space, specifically from the planet Clarion. She quickly gathered around her people who believed in this “prophecy”, who sold their fortunes, sometimes quarreled with loved ones, broke all ties and prepared for the evening of December 20, 1954, to gather in one place, on board to go from a flying saucer and fly to a safe place.
The group was infiltrated by researcher Leon Festinger and two assistants who watched the cult from within and also accompanied them during that night of waiting for the UFO. Everyone sat tense and showed patience until the predetermined hour of the apocalypse passed. Dorothy Martin suddenly had a vision and declared that, in recognition of their efforts, the aliens had also saved the rest of Earth. The world survived.
But from the scientists’ point of view, there was a cognitive dissonance here that the researchers wanted to look at. A silent and discreet sect suddenly began open and exciting activities for UFOs, organizing pamphlet distribution, lectures and public ceremonies. Festinger has investigated what exactly happens when expectations deviate from reality. The stronger the previous commitment and the greater the certainty of the expected vision, the more radical the reactions after the disappointment. Anthony Pratkanis and Elliot Aronson summarized the mental tension rising among cult members:
By reducing dissonance, the person defends himself and maintains a positive self-image. However, sometimes self-justification reaches an absurd form. To avoid dissonance, people ignore the danger, even when ignorance can cause death for themselves and their loved ones. There is no exaggeration.
Fistinger described the whole phenomenon in the book “When Prophecy Fails”, where – in accordance with the rules – he changed the names of the heroes of those events, which are already known today.
When delusions disappear
Mrs. Keech’s cult was heavily involved in the preparations for the flying saucer evacuation, but they did not do it publicly. For years, the Tusk sect has endorsed increasingly absurd theories with its names and surnames: that authoritarianism reigns in Poland, that the government that most supported Ukraine in history is actually pro-Russian, that the economy is collapsing, etc. The hard core of the Civic Platform believes that it is fighting the regime, that it is putting itself in danger, some believe that they are being tapped, but they certainly all feel activists for progress and democracy. The leader of the opposition is already suggesting that PiS could rig the election, so following in Dorothy Martin’s footsteps, he could make a crazy revelation on the day of the potential defeat, which could lead his followers – already tense and fueled by hatred to a new phase of paranoia. While they cherish the goals for “pisowców”, they prescribe for the time being a prescription for strong sedatives during the golden Polish autumn.
Source: wPolityce