Groups that Encourage Hate Among Other Groups (Language and Content Analysis)

Language can mean a lot and it can impact and influence group behavior. Whether we are discussing large groups or small groups they are going to have certain roles, norms and beliefs (Not to mention behavioral markers) Core groups will have deeply held values and they will encourage other to adapt those values. It makes no difference if your talking about good values or you are talking about poor values. When it comes to hate and those in official positions it creates problems. 

Consider Content Analysis

When we listen to the language of certain groups we come to find specific themes and behaviors that go along with those language choices. Language sets expectations on how to view others through improper anchoring (i.e. all Blacks are this way, all Muslims are this way, all Jews are that way, all White people are that way, etc.). As one analyzes, formally or informally, language use you can typically start to see how social association impacts the type of language and the expectations of such language. 

Move closer to the group and hate narrative and hate based behaviors rise in frequency and depth. Move away and hate narrative and hate based behaviors become weaker. It gives you a general direction of who is professing these corrupted and dangerous beliefs that put at risk others (Not to mention the key actors in influencing poor behaviors.). The same can be said on getting closer and increased incidents of violence, moving away and less violence.

Let us consider that you are dealing with an embedded hate group. They are spreading hate language to other people within their official and unofficial networks. For example, when we talk about rights of Americans they might roll their eyes. When you talk about rights of minority Americans they actively discount such rights and the people i.e. the dehumanization process that often leads to criminal violence, targeting, and other illegal behaviors. 

This could become particularly a big problem if other groups are taking clues from a central group and in turn making decisions based on an intentionally set hate narrative already mixed within a culture of corruption. Those who are on the receiving end of that hate become increasingly aware of how people view others and how they set expectations for others to violate these rights. If your not on the receiving end you probably don't care (i.e. lack of empathy as a sign of poor leadership skills and ideological emptiness).

The same process can be said for any type of group but in hate groups the narrative and chasing back the narrative to the core group of authority figures/influencers within that network becomes problematic. Even more so if there are not checks and balances on that behavior and misuse of authority. Accountability or justice becomes more difficult in systems that accept hate as an acceptable norm and normal course of action. 

The lesson here is that when people hate and profess inappropriate values in positions of authority we should consider stripping them of that authority. That becomes doubly so if they have been known to stalk, put people in harms way, and commit violations of the law. To fail to do that means we have come complacent in those values and/or agree with them in some way. You can see that in some division among people that has been artificially created by self-interested others.

Failure to remove or punish such behavior is a sign of bigger problems not only for American minorities but also for the institution itself. i.e. lack of accountability. This is also why minorities have almost no protection against behaviors that would have likely landed people in prison in other places. As societal demographics change the perceived "icky" people want more accountability and fairness. That could also mean that everything this group does has likely been tainted and falsified. Its a bigger problem then just a few rogue elements that broke trust and sold out their American values.

If you are confused by what those values should be see Pledge of Allegiance. Please feel free to file a report on those who are not following that pledge.

Lets turn the page.....

Unemployment by State: Maximizing Human Capital and Heterogeneous Skills for National Growth

Source: Axios-Neil Irwin

One measure of the economy is the unemployment rate. The goal of government is to keep as many people employed as possible. The other aspect of that is to put people in the most advantageous higher wage earning jobs that increase GDP output. If you have limited resources, i.e. older system of worker headcount, then you will want to expand that through maximize productivity and creativity. 

Consider that each job has value and that in turn can be maximized through education, training, creativity, innovation and technology. Thus, greater focus on maximizing that for long term human capital development and crime reduction is helpful. 

I came across a two articles. One by Axios that has some helpful information and the second article is by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Where the job market is growing and shrinking in the U.S. and Local Area Unemployment Rates.

Michigan isn't doing too bad, you may want to check out your own state. Keeping the unemployment low is beneficial.. We want a little greasing for job mobility but there are lots of people who silently quit the market and are not reflected in the numbers at all. We want them to be engaged and contributory to our society. Anything that detracts from that is likely to cause some issues somewhere else in the economy. These are the soft confounding variables and secondary influences.

This study below also discusses the relationship between unemployment and heterogeneous skills. Its not perfect 1 to 1 but it appears to be statistically significant.  We want to make sure that diversity in skills and people are strong and that it encourages the highest amount of engagement from the broadest sectors of society. They call this broad based human capital development. I like to call it America's Renaissance as technology, science, and human develop match with infrastructure, manufacturing/business (of many types large and small) and drawing back investment in a way that is helpful to society and long term growth. Human capital heterogeneity of the unemployed and jobless recoveries

Why Institutional Integrity and Institutional Trust Are Important?

For those of you who know me, I have been a big supporter of integrity in our systems and have done my part in supporting that. Not all people believe the same way and while they should know better there is too much vested interest in the status que and/or one's own self interest. So change comes from aligning our beliefs and actions toward that which helps society and away from that which helps certain groups or people. 

Appropriate checks and balances can help but its the ability for each person to see their behavior in context of the greater good that makes a difference. Institutions must also have checks and balances to ensure that integrity. It is a choice many of us have to face and let me say that those who take the high road do not have an easy path. There is often not enough support or feedback loops to ensure the greater good takes precedence. 

However, for those of us who desire good things for our communities and our country don't loose faith. Slowly but surely people are beginning to realize that meaningful change is becoming ever more important to our nation's future. As with all things, there will be those who agree and those who don't really care (I guess there are also those who double down on corruption.). Yet that is precisely what makes one a good citizen and another a bad citizen. 

This is why I support protections for whistleblowers, those who stand against corruption, and those who have a higher moral conscious (Its that dirty word again!) Let me also add that personally I think anyone who is aware of corruption and fails to act on it when it is their duty to do so is culpable; at least theoretically.

You may be interested in a study on the personality of those who are more likely to engage in corruption. Does the Dark Triad of Personality Predict Corrupt Intention? The Mediating Role of Belief in Good Luck

Cat-Man-Dos Hosts Classic Cars for Biker

Escanaba brought in some cool old cars near Cat Man Dos. They blocked off Ludington Street and auctioned off some stuff, from what I was told, for a biker who was injured. I was down at my favorite two clubs Eagles and Elks so I missed part of the event. From what I heard from an inside sources lots of bikers come up and visit regularly and vacation in the area. This past year we were up based on people who want out of the way places. Something unique!

No Interest Rate Hike: Federal Chair Jerome Powell Discusses (I added economic dribble to it.)

 We are at a time in our economic path where we avoided a rate hike and that helps maintain stability. There is some softening of the labor market but not so much to be concerned about it yet. Also consumer prices are coming down some which is good. Energy up and housing not having steep increases (I rent a flat in KY for my kids so please tell my landlord.) Basically, it means that you are not going to get an increase in your credit card payment anytime soon and there should be more greasing of job movement. Thus far everything seems healthy with a descent GDP increase. 

For those of you who are not born rich and didn't go to the best schools you should be a little happy. Most Americans are living from paycheck to paycheck so the interest rate is important to them to make ends meet (The sad reality of modern life. 60% if Americans are living Pay check to Pay Check. Something isn't working right.). I think if we start raising wages through stronger market pressures that rewards education/training and new technologies that enhance that skill we might find some benefits. 

Trickle down, trickle up and trickle sideways. Here is an article on The Productivity–Pay Gap

Alas, for the vast majority of us it would be nice if we have increased new job opportunities and people were paid higher wages for taking on those new roles. Upswings in the economy should also come with upswings in people's pay. Yes in a capitalistic society people should be paid for the work they produce. If its too top heavy its unstable in the long run (Also why I like small business for innovation and wealth obtainment.) That has only mildly happened yet and I think there could be more done to improve wages but precisely how to do that is the question.

The biggest question is How? The only idea at this second that comes to mind is increasing productivity through technology, rewarding innovation, and allowing workers and companies to benefit alike from increased in human capital (The dirty word!). Do I really know anything? Not really, I'm about as clueless as everyone else on the topic. However, I would suspect that is where I might look for answers.  

BTW I think Dr. Powell is doing a good job. Tough in this hyper political landscape. Everyone is a pessimist. I'm a rational optimist. 

What Makes Us American? (The Thought Experiment)

 Before I settle this out for the day let me say this.... What makes us American is the establishment of freedoms and the laws that protect those freedoms. In our thought experiment we chased down those with extremist leanings that had misused their authority and our institutions to further extremist views against minorities and others they do not feel should live freely in our nation. In this experiment they also have sympathizers and supporters and used those networks to further harm their countrymen/women and allowed some to enrich at the expense of others. Failure to correct means the ship is on the wrong course and a decade or so down the road we will come to understand that better without change.

The practical conclusion of the thought experiment: 

When people misuse their role and positions to harm our fellow Americans it is us as a community, as a nation and as a people to stand up and say "No". There are long term implications if we don't there are also those who do not believe in freedom like most of their fellow Americans. For those who violate our sacred oaths we should devise better mechanisms to hold such individuals to account. At a minimum we must correct that deficiency to ensure the highest moral conscious are protected from those who fail to guard their minds. Those that support extremism and/or misuse of authority for fascist type gains should be removed. 

Never violate our Freedom of Religion or Freedom of Speech. Some of us stay faithful and some of us sell out! Who are you?

The good news is...we learned a lot from this thought experiment and can put that to good use. Thanks for participating. 😬😲🤷💕💨

What is Freedom? A global perspect of universal values

I came across this video and I will say it sort of brought a little mist to my eyes. I think of the great things our forefathers/mothers brought forward and how in every place in the world people seek to create a sense of freedom. Each person defines that differently. Sometimes it is in our perspective of the world (inner freedom experience) and other times it is codified in our laws (outward artifacts of collective inner experience). Either way it is a universal value and in the U.S. we strive for that! 

For those in the world who must pick inner or outer freedom as the best path forward just remember that societies around the world are changing and growing and moving toward something greater. My advice is support freedom of the human spirit and the greater good of humanity. Its not religious, its spiritual!