Fraternity in a Battle Field
There is a myth in the Thelemic community that endless arguments online are inevitable. Certainly, online drama has been part of Thelemic circles since before I was born. However, now that social media platforms have brought this form of socializing to the mainstream, I think it is time we thoroughly address the way in which online infighting emphasizes schisms and fractures in our fraternity. There is not one simple solution to this multifaceted problem, which is perhaps why nobody (to my knowledge) has taken the time to tackle it in the context of fraternity in O.T.O.. However, I am willing to start that conversation, and outline the necessary changes we can make to better respond to this existential threat.
These solutions involve all of us, not just leadership, as no single person or group of people is incapable of bad behavior online. Nor is O.T.O. unique in having these struggles. Social media, and the internet at large, is considered a disruptive technology for a reason. No person or organization is left unaffected by the spread of social media. To determine solutions, we should understand what is causing these problems to begin with.
What’s with All the Rage?
In order to make as much money as possible, social media algorithms use psychological techniques, such as operant conditioning and intermittent reinforcement, to keep our attention on the app. This means that social media algorithms, in addition to feeding us content that makes us happy, also intentionally feeds us content that we find upsetting.
This creates a roller coaster of emotion, that hooks us on the app because it leaves us wanting more. We also get addicted to the self-righteous indignation when we show someone else exactly how they are “wrong.”
So while we are all responsible for the things we post online, it is important to consider that larger forces are at work to drive us towards certain toxic behaviors. People who naturally love arguing online used to be the only people who spent a lot of time doing so, but thanks to the manipulation of our psychology by Big Tech, normal, well meaning people are getting sucked in.
To combat these negative tendencies online, we should use the magical tools already at our disposal and apply it towards managing ourselves in online spheres. We should see the online sphere as a real facet of our reality, not too dissimilar from interactions “in the real world” yet with unique conditions nonetheless.
A. Your Duty to Yourself
Remember you are the Center of your Online Universe
You’ve just seen something online that makes you angry or upset. Consider why this is coming up for you in your newsfeed. You may need to adjust your feed or your friends/followers list to create a more ideal online experience.Know Thyself
Acknowledge and validate your feelings, then reflect on why. Is this post/comment/video a reasonable thing to be upset about? Do you think the person who posted this was intended to upset others? If so, what place do they serve in your online sphere?
Self restraint
Before responding, consider how you want to respond. Consider that responding may bring on more negative feelings than ignoring or blocking the person/website that made the post. Realize that your time and energy is valuable. Self-restraint doesn’t mean not responding, but doing so in a way that you won’t regret later. You owe it to yourself to not waste an entire afternoon in a fruitless argument.
Keep a Critical Mind
None of us are immune to propaganda. Especially given how sophisticated modern propaganda has become. It’s important to exercise your intellect and to question the information you are fed online, especially if it’s something you agree with.
B. Your Duty to Others
Assume the best Intentions from your Siblings
Unless you have reason to believe someone has bad intentions, it is good practice to assume your Brothers and Sisters are not trying to be malicious when they disagree with you. Learn to take a step back and remember who you are talking to. Is this person an evil, malicious, irredeemable tyrant? Probably not. Remember that we’re all a little bit more of assholes online versus in person and that text does not carry tone and, therefore, comments can be easily taken out of context. Assuming the best of your siblings will help prevent a disagreement from escalating into a fight.
“As siblings, fight ye!”
Good faith arguments online can be a source of mutual learning and growth. We all have much to learn from each other and disagreements often stimulate important discussions. Learn how to disagree tactfully and have mutually productive discussions.
Abstain from Interferences in Another’s Will
“To influence another is to leave one’s citadel unguarded; and the attempt commonly ends in losing one’s own self-supremacy.” - Liber Duty
Doxing, harassing, or stalking people online is not acceptable fraternal behavior, even if you imagine yourself to be enacting some kind of mob justice on the unethical “other.”
To quote Saint Nietzsche “Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.” Engaging in this behavior damages your character, and is thus bad for your self-supremacy.
Seek to Enlighten Another When Need Arises
Most people in this world are not bad to an irredeemable degree. The forces of radicalization online are larger than ourselves, larger than our communities, and more sophisticated and nuanced than we care to admit. We should be kind yet firm in our redirection of siblings who have fallen for propaganda and avoid harsh judgements. Further, we should be certain that we are not merely imposing our dogmas onto someone else under the guise of “helping” them. Lastly, if you feel like enlightening others would be a waste of your energy, you can simply unfollow the person in question and ask local leaders for support.
Arguments vs. Bullying
There are times when a mutual disagreement escalates into a fight. In that case, the path of mediation can be useful if those involved find it impossible to reconcile their differences. The above recommendations are made to prevent that kind of escalation from occurring.
However, there are instances where someone is merely being bullied by others online. This should not be considered as different from in-person bullying. Notice or bad report may be in order. Inaction from leadership who have been made aware of the bullying isn’t acceptable. Online interactions are real and impact our psychology in real ways.
My recommendation to anyone being bullied is to record what is being said/done and report it at the first opportunity. Switching platforms is also helpful. For instance, if a Brother or Sister is engaging in gossip about you on Facebook, you can send them an email about it to avoid drawing more public attention to the conversation. The more you engage with the bully on these platforms without reporting it, the more it starts to look like a mutual fight from an outside perspective.
Bigotry Online
What if someone isn’t bullying you directly, but posting content which negatively impacts you as a member of a marginalized group? I believe another essay is needed in order to do this specific topic justice. Bigotry is not fraternal behavior, and thus, is not acceptable and can absolutely be reported. I think O.T.O. members who are not part of marginalized groups should also see it as their duty to report bigoted behavior of other members. That way, responsibility doesn’t fall on the shoulders of the marginalized to do the reporting. Most of us are exhausted enough already.
I realize that some in leadership feel it is “overstepping” to discipline someone based on what they are posting online, but I respectfully disagree. What we post online impacts the people around us and it is not tyrannical to hold someone accountable for their posts if they are causing distress to other members. A lot of the frustration I see online towards O.T.O. is due to the inaction of leadership. And while we are not here to police the personal opinions of members, conflict resolution is part of our Duty as leaders. There is always more we can be doing to combat bigotry online and within our ranks.
Conclusion
When it comes to sharing an online sphere with members of your fraternity, it is not you versus your other siblings, but all of us versus the tendency for this environment to promote our worst behavior. Social media is a battle field by design. While the influence of online culture is strong; our fraternity can always be stronger.
In Liber 101 Crowley states,
“But within the precincts of the Lodge all such divisions are to be forgotten absolutely; and as children of One Father the enemies of the hour before and the hour after are to dwell in peace, amity, and fraternity.”
If enemies at war can meet in peace, certainly we can navigate this battlefield together in ways that preserve our fraternity.
Soror Amrita