"The Tide" describes a human experiment based on true events. Its shock is that in just five days, a Nazi-like extremist collective can be created, and finally leads to the tragedy of a fanatic committing suicide. The plot itself is powerful and clear-cut, like a parable of the world. However, all kinds of clear-cut guidelines declare that Nazism has no solution, but the question that arises is: Why does collectivism have a place? Is the collective unconscious stupid or inevitable? Regrettably, the politically correct individualism eliminates possible space for discussion, and in the end the film presents a mere superficial frenzy.
1. How does collectivism fit in?
Regarding collectivism, the film presents two characteristics. One of the characteristics of collectivism is efficiency, which is achieved based on strict discipline. Discipline grinds each angular individual into a unified standard part, and performs its own duties through coordination and cooperation in various parts, thus providing a powerful source of power for the collective machine, which is often far more effective. Beyond the individual, the individual in it often has a strong or even exaggerated identity with self-worth. As written in the assignments submitted by the students in the film: "The wave has made our lives meaningful again, giving us an ideal and goal to strive for.", "I used to cause trouble everywhere, and I can devote myself to a meaningful project. things feel better.”
Another major feature of collectivism is its attempt to create a utopia where everyone is equal. The reason why it is called utopia is that the equality created by collectivism is often a clever use of symbols - neat and uniform white shirts, specific greeting gestures, unified logos and organization names, etc., so as to achieve the effect of psychological suggestion, This increases the cohesion of the team and maintains the feelings between members.
2. Is the collective unconsciousness inevitable?
The film attempts to reveal the contradiction between individualism and collectivism from two groups of characters that mirror each other: Mona and his wife, Marco and his girlfriend. The similarity between the two pairs of relationships is that both Mona and Marco present an unequal status in their relationship, Mona's diploma is an adult self-examination, while Marco has an unhappy family, and both have certain The inferiority complex of the two people, and the wave organization allows them to obtain the corresponding respect, thus making up for the psychological deficiency of the two.
Although this kind of psychology is formed unconsciously, does this mean that unconsciousness is stupid? It must be clear that human beings are social animals, and society is an external factor that affects human consciousness and behavior, and it is difficult for individuals living in it to distinguish their own situation from the environment. Various inequalities in society potentially exacerbate individual loneliness, while collectivism creates commonality in an artificial way, allowing individuals who are easily lost in loneliness to find their belonging and rekindle in the utopia of equality The torch of idealism. Rather than saying that the collective unconscious is stupid, it is better to say that it is the result of a combination of social factors and human instincts.
The disadvantage of collectivism lies in its over-reliance on leadership and organization. Without proper guidance and organization, individuals can easily be immersed in a grand narrative and cannot extricate themselves. It seems that they have found their belonging in the commonality, but in fact it is the complete annihilation of individuality, extreme situations. In the future, the will of the individual will die with the demise of the collective will, which is the scene of Tim's suicide presented in the film.
But is collectivism itself to blame? In the film, this problem is not well explained. The awakening of Mona and Marco is that they hurt the people closest to them, but the people closest to them are blamed from the perspective of outsiders throughout the film. Tide action, not both Mona and Marco: Mona's wife was the subject of public buzz, and Marco's girlfriend was sidelined by Tide for initially breaking the rules. This indifferent and alienating accusation of politically correct individualism makes Mona and Marco's awakening a stylized result, failing to give them enough rationalized motives that collectivism is realized in such a pre-set position apoptosis.
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