When the real world is not sufficiently flattering we all tend to take refuge in an imaginary world, where our desires are gratified without great effort. This is the essence of hysteria. It is also the source of nationalist, theological, and class myths.
Source: Bertrand Russell: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926
More info.: https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE16-060.HTM
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If one continues to face harsh realities without respite, one's mental balance is bound to collapse. That is why we occasionally take refuge in the world of imagination or fantasy to restore our inner stability. This is a natural defense mechanism inherent in human beings, and Russell regarded it as a "healthy function of imagination."
However, there are people who fail to see reality from multiple perspectives and are overwhelmed by their own emotions or convictions, leading them to behave in extreme ways. For example, some are unable to view the idea of the nation with calm objectivity and instead become possessed by nationalist fervor, even attempting to impose such beliefs upon others.
In a democratic society, we must recognize that even such extreme opinions fall within the bounds of freedom of expression, so long as they do not involve violence. Yet at the same time, some segments of the media, driven by the desire for higher ratings, neglect fact-checking and thereby contribute -- perhaps unwittingly -- to the spread of falsehoods and prejudice. It is precisely such an information environment that we must remain vigilant against.
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