bob's blog

I remember reading a book by Gregory Bateson, "Toward an Ecology of Mind" about schizophrenogenic parents, and how he thought that schizophrenia was induced by manipulative parents that created double binds to trap their kids. It wasn’t a conscious decision. They were dysfunctional adults, that internalized a technique used against them as children. As some abused children become abusive adults, these children that lived through double binds through their developing years internalized their parents’ behavior and foisted it on their children. An endless cycle of pain and suffering passed from generation to generation by sick and twisted adult role models.

I don’t know that the theory ever gained much credence in medical circles, schizophrenia seems now to be considered a chemical imbalance in the brain, which can be controlled by drugs. Every medical condition seems to have an element of chemical causation that can be controlled by drugs, as is evidenced by watching the sponsors of the evening news. I personally live very near Zoloft Country, not far from Nexium and Prilosec County on some orange pills that I have trouble naming. Perhaps it is a continuing symptom of Al-what’s his name disease. At least it’s not a complex.

The Middle East is suffering a complex. I wish I could come up with a new drug that would help. The closest I have come to diagnosing the problem is that conflicted people elect schizophrenic leaders. The semitic tribes have thousand year histories of love/hate relations that are exacerbated by sharing the principle of ONE GOD, with two very distinct personalities. Allah and Yahweh. Personally I don’t think the one god concept was very much of an improvement over animism, paganism or other fictions of the mind, but nonetheless the principle seems to have adherents. Millions are convinced they have a covenant with their god for a piece of Real Estate, and countless others are convinced that the afterlife, the Spirit Estate can only be enhanced by killing infidels. When they share the same Holy City that doesn’t leave much room for compromise.

We need a new mythology that both tribes can buy into. It’s hard to change mythology. Like schizophrenia, it is handed down from generation to generation as an ultimate necessity of being. You are, after all, an individual made up to two parts. What your mother believed and what your father taught you. Therein is the very beginning of conflict. Should one believe what mother believes or act the way father wants you to? When faced with that dilemma, I did what most normal children do. I left home.

The State of Israel must know in its heart of hearts that peaceful coexistence with its Palestinian neighbors can only come about when both States are based on self-determination, vibrant but intertwined economic systems, separate religious beliefs and shared after school activities. These two peoples are joined at the hip, and no amount of violence will disjoin them. It is incredibly painful to watch these seriously conflicted and confused neighbors try to undo the double bind that it has been their lot in life to inherit their common ancient ancestors.

Schizophrenogenic adults cannot confront the root causes of the double bind and find a viable solution. And if they don’t it will continue

The conflict between these two peoples does not exist in America. The sons and daughters that left home for a new beginning seem to be able to co-exist here and attend the after school activities without shame, hate or violence. That does indicate that a detente is possible.

Bob