I propose that, in respect of major problems in society, the greatest myth of all is that because we are able to think, we believe that we are able to solve everything by thinking, i.e. cognitively.
And perhaps the biggest reality of all is that we constantly struggle with doubt, don’t know the answer, but fear being found out!
Now the major trouble with myths is that they become self-perpetuating – that is, like lies, (because a myth can be a kind of a lie) once they gain traction, other myths have to be introduced to bolster up the original myth.
So when we begin to believe that we can solve everything cognitively (i.e. using our thinking), we have to invent smaller myths to hold up the bigger myth.
For example, I mentioned in a previous Chapter that professionals in the Pillars were highly enthusiastic about both the Children’s Referendum and mandatory reporting of child abuse, and how they firmly believed that the introduction of both would mean that vulnerable children will be better protected.
This is, of course, a myth! Bringing in laws makes us feel that we have done something whereas in reality we’ve done very little.
One of the smaller myths that bolster these myths is that if we report child abuse or neglect to a social work department something will be done. I have come across many situations where reports have been made about children suffering and nothing was done to ease their suffering.
Another of the smaller myths is that if we pay big money for an intervention programme from a faraway University to protect children in the Focus Group, children will be better protected.
The truth, i.e. there are many children who are suffering – we struggle in our efforts to protect them – and we could do with help from their families – would be very refreshing!