Alfred Dawes | The Jamaican Matrix

In 24 hours, the prime minister moved from being a target of anti-corruption advocates to becoming a victim of overzealous or spiteful actions, depending on who you ask. It is interesting to see the flux of outrage and noise in the marketplace. If ever one wanted a practicum in behavioural psychology and manufactured consent, Jamaica would be the preferred campus. The crisis management systems employed by both political parties give a peek into their overall communications strategy and speak to the importance of public relations in obtaining and maintaining state power. A bat up and ketch scandal is no longer worthy of salivation if there is no system in place to capitalise on it. Only a few in our political and current affairs commentary space are acutely aware of this fact in the modern “post truth” era.

It is no guesswork to say that the popularity of the prime minister and his government is on the decline. The polls say it, the ratio of positive to negative comments on social media scream it. At the same time the poll results and negative comments reaffirm that the opposition continues to be the less attractive option to handle the affairs of the country. While the ranks of the uncommitted voters swell, we are witnessing the longest game of cat and mouse being played out in the political arena. Scandals have rocked both parties in recent years and have undoubtedly contributed significantly to their falling popularity among voters. What is interesting are the contrasting approaches taken by both parties with the almost identical results seen consistently for each, contrasting with the other side. .

The electoral juggernaut that was the People’s National Party has not evolved with the times even as the Jamaica Labour Party has finessed its election strategy and are winning again and again. Outside of elections, the party has created a playbook that recalibrates opinions in a flash. Very few mice have been caught even during belling of the cat. Whether this will lead to complacency on the part of the sage in the shadows is left to be seen. They may fall victim to their belief in their aura of invincibility. The curse of the man who wins too much and who has no match in the other trenches.

UNIPOLAR WORLD

The question then is why is it a unipolar world? With a plethora of case studies and the most brilliant minds available for the right price, why is there a gulf between them and all other players in the space? The question demands that a detailed analysis of the factors is required for the seamless operation of the ideal propaganda machine. The obstacles to fitting together these elements must be overcome and that may be the explanation for the reality we observe. The marketing gurus cannot be incorporated into the organisation if the entity abhors their presence through culture and practice. However, no entity outside of political parties are incentivised to invest in detailed system reviews. They are tedious and expensive. The reward of grant funding and notoriety may not be enough for the other groups who then fall victim to those who are able to understand their own needs and act accordingly.

What also helps the mice escape is the involuntary complicity of the heroes who go too hard. A line in the comedy Tropic Thunder reverberates through scandal after scandal, “never go full retard”. Once you commit to a cause, it is tempting to feed off the support of the outraged. Too often the emboldened ones go all out and in the process their firepower creates a smokescreen or a blast through the wall against which their prey was cornered. They become responsible for the escape or their failure to achieve the desired outcome leads to a loss of confidence in their capabilities. Sadly, the lesson that Jamaicans are a different breed from what was taught in psychology class is lost on them and those who imitate their going full retard.

GAME CHANGER

The Matrix was a game changer for graphics and choreography in the movie industry. What drew many to the film was the exotic explanation of everything in the world that made sense or remained a puzzle even when logic was applied. Understanding how the matrix works was a linguistic surrogate for not the Hippies’ rail against the system and the Rastas chanting down Babylon. Unfortunately, in real life as in the movie, living in the matrix is easier than trying to exist outside its programme.

The world, like the matrix, is made up of algorithms on every level. Those who are able to use these algorithms enjoy success in almost every venture. That success in our matrix is not commonplace rests in the fact that not all appreciate the algorithms and even less are willing to do what is required to make them work. It is far easier to accept the reality of who we are and how despicable the world is as a result of the actions of an evil minority. Every now and again we rail against the system in a way that reassures us of our own moral superiority. Predictably, we rail in a manner defined by an algorithm. One that is easily manipulated by those who have made their life’s work the mastery of these techniques. As dangerous as it is to watch, it is also very entertaining. I can’t wait for the next episode.

- Dr Alfred Dawes is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and CEO of Windsor Wellness Centre. Follow him on Twitter @dr_aldawes. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and alfred.dawes@gmail.com