Thought for the Day
Wednesday, January 7, 2026

I have written a number of times about what I call the alternative reality virus (ARV). This is a psychological virus that infects, is contagious, and difficult, if not impossible to treat. Its symptoms include denial of consensual reality, rejection of facts, attraction to and acceptance of fabricated realities (aka, conspiracy theories), rejection of others. Lying becomes a normative act as does the rejection of values. Because of the spread of the ARV and so little to mitigate its effects, all institutions are subject to collapse, as is true of cultural and religious containers. The spread of ARV is world wide. In addition to the aforementioned qualities, it is useful to note how rapidly ARV mimics addictive processes. And, like most addictive processes, treatment is largely ineffective. As the ARV takes over, the qualities of unconscious suicidal factors begin to manifest. When characteristic of those in power, the dangers to the culture at large are increased. What we are witnessing now is the large-scale effects of those in power displaying all the symptoms of ARV, openly and without any sense of the harm that is engendered. Almost every news story bears witness to this. This creates a time of great danger to everyone, those infected by ARV included. So far, I can see no treatment or enantiodromia available r on the horizon. It looks as though things will only get worse.

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