Don’t Let Others Gaslight Your Safety Concerns
No, you’re not going crazy. Mounting global tensions, worsening weather due to Climate Change, and the prevailing uneasiness of current events confirms what we all suspect: the world is in shambles. But what happens when you sound the alarm bells with friends or family? They almost immediately call you a conspiracy theorist, unworthy of logical discussion. When did concerns of peace and stability become hot button issues? In the age of misinformation, we’re immediately shunned for bringing up sensitive topics. In 2024, political inclinations matter more than the cold hard facts. We live on the same planet and have a vested interest in sustainable ecosystems and logical discourse. Maybe their scoffs are more indicative of a greater problem. No one seems to care that our planet is teetering over the abyss. Instead of engaging logical solutions to global dilemmas, they gaslight you into thinking you’re the crazy one.
Gaslighting as a Manipulation Tactic
Social media is abuzz with the phenomenon of ‘gaslighting.’ What is it exactly? How is it used to manipulate genuine feelings into submission? In laymen terms, gaslighting is an emerging colloquialism defined by manipulating someone into questioning their perception of realty. Like with any other TikTok craze, gaslighting hints at exposing narcissistic behavior. Everyone these days claims to be the victim of a controlling narcissist or “toxic” behavior. Despite what your Facebook feeds tell you, not every ex is gaslighting you. More often than not, it’s easier to overlook our personal flaws by blaming others. We’re all guilty of blame shifting to reconcile our perception of self and ego. But when does the movement go too far? In a cruel twist, accusing someone of using gaslighting techniques can be a form of manipulation itself if the accused is undeserving of blame.
Examining the Climate Change Narrative
Gaslighting affects more than interpersonal relationships. Manipulating someone into questioning their convictions creates warring political divides between differing ideologies. Say for example you point to the rising sea levels due to the melting of polar ice caps as proof of our warming planet. A Climate Change denier might try to shift the narrative by doubting the veracity of your sources. “Well, how can you trust scientists that can’t even accurately predict the weather in three days? How could they possibly know if our climate is changing?” You’re immediately taken aback. Obviously, this person doesn’t know the difference between climate and weather. How can you possibly engage in a productive conservation with such a large chasm in communication? What’s even worse, this type of doubting behavior is as contagious as it is attractive. This lazy spiel is sure to win over other deniers instead of siding with the boring facts.
How To Defend Your Safety, as Well as Sanity
Gaslighting someone into doubting who they are as a person is dangerous to both their psyche and personal safety. Take the COVID pandemic as the latest example of how science deniers are killing this planet. During the pandemic, it appeared the nation was divided into two camps: it was either a hoax or a serious illness deserving of vigilance. Most COVID deniers refused to wear masks while some extremists compared social restrictions to fascist Germany during WWII. What’s worse, the propaganda machine shifted into high gear when vaccines became readily available. “Don’t take the vaccine! The government put tracking devices in it or they’re trying to kill you!” The result? Thousands of Americans died because they allowed science deniers to manipulate them into changing their belief system.
Don’t let anyone gaslight your good natured instincts. If you sense danger is afoot, avoid engaging the doubters who refuse to believe in facts and well-vetted sources. Climate change deniers usually fall into the same camp as the COVID hoax phenomenon. Giving them a voice in a discussion deserving of only facts, not opinions, allows them to manipulate others subconsciously. How many more people need to die due to disparaging rhetoric because they refuse to recognize the not-so-convenient facts of our society? Unfortunately, it’s far too late before they realize their faulty line of thinking. But it’s not too late to protect your family. Our highly engineered line of safe rooms and panelized shelters can protect your family from worsening global tensions and chaotic weather events. These virtually impenetrable steel fortresses are today’s truth serum. Cold hard steel speaks volumes over misguided lies. Protect your family from the unexpected while leaving self-doubt out in the cold.