I have been preparing a series of essays with my colleague, Suzanne Brennan-Nathan, that concern the nature and dynamics of interpersonal relationships. Specifically, Suzanne and I are focusing on the “binding” (Ligato) power of interpersonal relationships –both good and bad. In this essay, I wish to consider the power of collective coherence and contagion.
Stories of Collective Binding and Connections
I begin my exploration by offering several stories about collective binding and connections.
LA Sports Arena
The first story concerns what occurred in Los Angeles during the late 1950s. A “patriotic” rally was held at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Herbert Philbrick, the author of I Led 3 Lives, was featured at this rally. His book on Communist infiltration became a very popular TV series from 1953 to 1956. He had served as an undercover agent and was fully “knowledgeable” regarding all the communists who had infiltrated the US government. Out of sheer curiosity, I decided to attend the rally with several of my college friends. This was probably an early stage in my preoccupation with mass social psychological phenomena.
The Sports Arena was draped with many large American flags. The place was packed with men and women (mostly with pale complexions) wearing patriotic gear (usually red, white, and blue) with buttons or hat banners declaring the need to purify America and rid the United States of communist influence. The evening commenced with many fiery speeches delivered by lower-level conservative California politicians. Then a couple of Hollywood stars spoke dramatically of the dangers hidden in the leftist movies being produced in Tinseltown. Finally, out came Herbert Philbrick. The place erupted. Chants began, and flags were waved. It was right out of a Nazi rally. Philbrick was shouting about the Communists. His rhetoric became more extreme.
All members of the audience stood after each of his declarations. In front of the row where we were sitting was a man who seemed to struggle with repeatedly standing up. At one point, he remained seated. Those around him began to scream at him (above the very noisy clamor of the arena). They told him to stand up. He remained seated. Other men near him began to beat him with their fists and flags. He fell to the ground. At this point, we, college students, decided to leave the arena. It was not safe for those who were not “patriotic” in their immediate reactions to Philbrick’s pronouncements. It is not known what the fate was of this man who did not stand.
