Throwing around the term ‘gaslighting’ seems to to be all the rage in 2020. From small-scale instances to politically motivated groups accusing their own governments of ‘gaslighting’ them, everyone’s been getting in on the fun; but what actually is gaslighting? We contacted science to shed some ‘light’ on the subject.
Mr. Wakefield, a well-respected physician in over 12 relatively major Facebook groups, let us know what’s what. The term actually comes from a Hollywood film, Gas Light (1944) – the first hole in the hull of HMS Credibility.
Mr. Wakefield informed us that the usage of the term is simply an overreaction from the ‘modern generations’, who feel inadequate in comparison to their superiors. This leads them to imagine that they are actually being manipulated into questioning their own mind by those with power over them! What a ridiculous idea! This made-up phenomenon is what they label ‘gaslighting’.
Mr. Wakefield wrote in ‘Old Scientific’ a conclusion of the investigation he has conducted: “It’s merely another trivial ‘microagression’ for pampered youth to complain about, a complete fabrication rooted in Hollywood nonsense. You cant apply terms and phenomenon from movies to real life. How many psychopaths do you know that go around dressed as their mothers whilst trying to run a hotel? It’s merely a Hollywood plot. It categorically does not exist in the real world. There’s a completely rational explanation for why some people have power over others, and they don’t need to waste time manipulating their subordinates. They work harder. They are smarter. They are the breadwinners, working tirelessly for their dependents. They deserve nothing but respect, and anyone that believes they are abusing their power is wrong, blinded by jealousy and spite. The world would run a lot smoother if everyone accepted their ineptitude in the face of their superiors. It is heartbreaking to see accusations of this phenomenon lobbed around even within the perfectly stable nuclear family these days.”
The science has spoken. It is clear there is no foundation at all for ‘gaslighting’ and we all need to accept that if we want to move on as a society. We must accept it is a myth and disregard any silly notion that someone is undermining our minds.
To anyone who still clings on to this ridiculous myth, being corrected is not psychological abuse. Facts do not care about your feelings. Follow the science.
The Toon Lampoon 