"Social Inertial Ballast," Disconnection, and Disengagement

Two small but distinct groups were identified through the IOOW-2000 research that, combined, constitute a significant minority (21.5%) of our population. They tend to act disproportionately as "inertial ballast" and are often used as a convenient excuse to hold everyone back.

One group, estimated to be 8.2% of the U.S., are generally constricted and very conservative in their worldview, as well as being generally disengaged from self and society. Their future outlook is very pessimistic, they vote, and do so along conservative political lines. They tend to go to religious services more than once a week. They also tend to be older than the general population and are more likely to be men. They are, however, somewhat more aware of their need for spiritual growth. Of the 8 Types, Cautious and Conservative (CC) predominates here with a secondary component of Disengaged from Social Concerns (DSC).

Another group that functions as "inertial ballast" represents 16.2% of the population. This second group is noticeably not as constricted in perspective or conservatively oriented, but is more disengaged from self and society. They too, are more likely to be men (but not to the extent as the 8.2% group first described). This group is also younger than the overall population, mostly Gen-X, and single. They are not as likely to be very religious in terms of attending services, their future outlook is not as pessimistic, and they are not as likely to vote. Of the 8 Types, Disengaged from Social Concerns (DSC) predominates here with a secondary component of Cautious and Conservative (CC).

There is very little overlap between these two groups (only 2.9%) and combined, these two groups constitute 21.5% of the general population. Education and income are not significant factors in either of these two groups. Rather, what is key are their values and beliefs.

As "inertial ballast," these groups tend to function as a net energy drain by opposing positive innovations in a generally unconscious manner, usually passively, sometimes dynamically.

How often have people asked relevant questions or said things in the presence of individuals of this type that differed from established norms, only to have them put down with cynical remarks, thus stifling any meaningful discussion? This happens in countless situations from family meal times to workplace situations across the country. This dynamic is also fueled by news and entertainment mass media. They do this by denying copy space or airtime to investigate the truth, by purposeful misinformation, by crude rhetoric of on-air personalities, by promoting column space for cynical commentaries, and by endlessly promoting "dark" themes under the guise of "entertainment." People and organizations that are part of the social ballast dynamic are basically afraid of anything that hints of challenging their perceived world, whether it be in terms of their ideaframe, social or material privilege, or other belief systems that help them define their identity.

Such disaffected individuals might be more readily manipulated with superficial palliatives to support extreme conservative or reactionary positions. Here we wish to distinguish those who are disaffected and disconnected from those who are deliberately involved in deceiving society as to their true aims of power.

In the absence of truly innovative and courageous leadership, this inertial ballast factor in our society further makes it difficult for positive social innovations to become widely adopted by mainstream society. People do want to hear of a new perspective, people are tired of the old game, but without a coherent and substantial "stage" to speak from, most people will continue not to hear what is new and good, as it is drowned out (or met with silence) by the mainstream outlets for news and information.

Thus, powerful new strategies leading to the creation of new structures paralleling established ones are most invaluable at this time. Eventually, almost everyone will "see the light" although for some, the process may take longer.