The One Reason to be Concerned about Creeping Normality.

We live in a world where various governments are proclaiming to be progressives. And who can argue about progress?

I guess the only thing to ask is; ‘Where is this progress leading to?’ In other words, what is the end result?

This is what someone smarter than me has called ‘creeping normality’. I believe it is when small changes start to have a larger impact and major change being accepted as normal and acceptable. That meaning that if people knew the ultimate or end-result they would find this objectionable.

Take for example the case of Jordan Peterson, the widely known Toronto Ontario Psychologist. It appears that his professional organization doesn’t like how big of a public stage he has or some of his thoughts about life in this world as he sees it.

Over my life-time I’ve belonged to many professional organizations, thus I’m well aware of the role that professional organizations demand to ensure that those licensed individuals are held to a very high standard in their professional conduct.

It is my understanding that it is not a matter of one’s professional competence or ethics to have and express opinions regarding world events or public figures. How can it be a loss of public trust that a person who belongs to a professional organization holds an opinion that may be contrary to what some people think?

I believe it is time for people to quit being complacent about the persecution of individuals for expressing their opinions. I believe that the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) case against Dr. Jordan Peterson seems subjective. By this I mean that it shows an impulsive disregard for the choices that all professionals must exercise. I also believe that the CPO is causing harm on itself and how people will view it long-term. I also believe that what it is proposing is not within the bounds of a professional organization to regulate or control the private opinions of its members, even when they are shared publicly.

Before I conclude I have three questions;

• What organization will attack a person’s views next?
• What will that lead to?
• When will it impact you?

Now to conclude, I’d like you to consider this poem written by Martin Niemöller in 1946, during World War II. It is called ‘First They Came’ and it will give you the one reason why you should be concerned about creeping normality.

First, they came for the Communists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me

And there was no one left to speak out for me.