Note: This is a revision of an earlier Substack on “The Psychology of Veridos™ (Seekers of Truth and Justice) being repurposed as a tribute to Dan Ellsberg
Diane - Masterful! What brilliant work you have done here in clarifying the nature of the Verido character structure. In doing so you have given us an Ideal Model for being a human being. Thank you so much.
I read this, thinking about my background, my family - very anti-authoritarian. My father was proud that I argued with him. To him, it meant he was a good father, unafraid of him, unafraid to challenge him. So the more I argued with him, the better he felt about himself!!! And yes, I have found it easy to challenge anyone's thinking, and more generally to think for myself.
Regarding the importance and impacts of childhood on our future lives, please don't forget how crucial our first few non-cognitive years are. This is when we are learning through our bodies, and this knowing will ultimately impact our cognitive knowing. What effect would non-attachment have on an infant's future? How does trust in our own knowing develop if our bodily needs are not being met (because people don't think some infants' needs are necessary, or they don't know what to do, or it doesn't conveniently fit into their lives)? Please read Gabor Mate's latest book, 'The Myth of Normal'.
Appreciate your comment very much. I used to run bulimia groups in the late 1980s and wondered whether it was related to the belief in feeding infants every 4 hours, among many other factors, instead of feeding when they needed it - called "feeding on demand" which framing is problematic. And how it disconnected eating from biological needs. I also seem to recall something about schizophrenics being adopted - I may be wrong - but not having atonement in the first hours and days. I remember with each of my 3 children; born at home - the first cry was frightening, the first experience of hunger, but after that they knew if they cried they would immediately get a breast in their mouth. I felt very powerful in that one area that I could make all right with the world.
Alice, while I appreciate the creative bent in using Verido as a noun, it is in no way relative to “Libido.” The quest and obtainment of “Truth” is a pure and undefiled concept. Libido, on the other hand, and probably in most cases now that God’s Holy Word has been mostly snuffed out, is anything but. It is the source of out of control vulgarity, lasciviousness, fornication, adultery, mental lust, and unnatural perversions now accepted as “normal” in society. I think we should stick with the original Latin word Veritas.
Thanks for your response. To clarify 2 things - there are natural instincts that are healthy and related to our survival. Due to punishment and abuse they can become perverted. There is a healthy instinctual drive. When I interviewed courageous people I got that their commitment to truth and taking personal risks was not a cognitive rational logical process. It felt instinctual as if they could not tolerate holding untruths.
Very interesting. Thank-you for covering this material. I have often wondered what common characteristics the people who "saw through" Covid share. I couldn't help but notice folks that believe in something greater than themselves is a theme. Having a conscience and acting requires human traits such as hope and faith...there did appear to exist a direct relationship between education and ease of brainwashing (or at least, just following orders)...
This is brilliant! I would like to interview you for the second Truth Summit (Sept 25-Oct 6). I've just sent you an email at coronawise!substack.com. I have one person left to find to interview - and you would be exactly right. All the best, Elsa
Thanks for sharing your story. Everything you say is correct. You don't know who is a moral hero or a whistleblower until you are in a situation that calls for action. It is astonishing how passive, cowardly, passive, not wanting to get involved most people are, and sad. Good for you for wha you did. You said it was instinctual - which is why I coined the term "verido" an instinctual drive to truth and justice, and to protect others. Thanks so much.
Diane - Masterful! What brilliant work you have done here in clarifying the nature of the Verido character structure. In doing so you have given us an Ideal Model for being a human being. Thank you so much.
I read this, thinking about my background, my family - very anti-authoritarian. My father was proud that I argued with him. To him, it meant he was a good father, unafraid of him, unafraid to challenge him. So the more I argued with him, the better he felt about himself!!! And yes, I have found it easy to challenge anyone's thinking, and more generally to think for myself.
Regarding the importance and impacts of childhood on our future lives, please don't forget how crucial our first few non-cognitive years are. This is when we are learning through our bodies, and this knowing will ultimately impact our cognitive knowing. What effect would non-attachment have on an infant's future? How does trust in our own knowing develop if our bodily needs are not being met (because people don't think some infants' needs are necessary, or they don't know what to do, or it doesn't conveniently fit into their lives)? Please read Gabor Mate's latest book, 'The Myth of Normal'.
Appreciate your comment very much. I used to run bulimia groups in the late 1980s and wondered whether it was related to the belief in feeding infants every 4 hours, among many other factors, instead of feeding when they needed it - called "feeding on demand" which framing is problematic. And how it disconnected eating from biological needs. I also seem to recall something about schizophrenics being adopted - I may be wrong - but not having atonement in the first hours and days. I remember with each of my 3 children; born at home - the first cry was frightening, the first experience of hunger, but after that they knew if they cried they would immediately get a breast in their mouth. I felt very powerful in that one area that I could make all right with the world.
Alice, while I appreciate the creative bent in using Verido as a noun, it is in no way relative to “Libido.” The quest and obtainment of “Truth” is a pure and undefiled concept. Libido, on the other hand, and probably in most cases now that God’s Holy Word has been mostly snuffed out, is anything but. It is the source of out of control vulgarity, lasciviousness, fornication, adultery, mental lust, and unnatural perversions now accepted as “normal” in society. I think we should stick with the original Latin word Veritas.
Thanks for your response. To clarify 2 things - there are natural instincts that are healthy and related to our survival. Due to punishment and abuse they can become perverted. There is a healthy instinctual drive. When I interviewed courageous people I got that their commitment to truth and taking personal risks was not a cognitive rational logical process. It felt instinctual as if they could not tolerate holding untruths.
My friend Marilyn Langlois wrote about "Thumos" - "writer and researcher Elizabeth Woodworth highlighted the concept of thumos, which she defined as the inability to tolerate injustice without taking action. https://www.transcend.org/tms/2023/12/thumos-fire-in-the-belly-and-a-taste-of-salt/
I hope this helps.
Brilliant, extremely thought provoking and so validating. Thankyou so much for sharing your profound work.
Thanks also for your validation. Much appreciated.
Wow! Thank you!
You are most welcome.
Very interesting. Thank-you for covering this material. I have often wondered what common characteristics the people who "saw through" Covid share. I couldn't help but notice folks that believe in something greater than themselves is a theme. Having a conscience and acting requires human traits such as hope and faith...there did appear to exist a direct relationship between education and ease of brainwashing (or at least, just following orders)...
This is brilliant! I would like to interview you for the second Truth Summit (Sept 25-Oct 6). I've just sent you an email at coronawise!substack.com. I have one person left to find to interview - and you would be exactly right. All the best, Elsa
Masterful. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing your story. Everything you say is correct. You don't know who is a moral hero or a whistleblower until you are in a situation that calls for action. It is astonishing how passive, cowardly, passive, not wanting to get involved most people are, and sad. Good for you for wha you did. You said it was instinctual - which is why I coined the term "verido" an instinctual drive to truth and justice, and to protect others. Thanks so much.