Chaos Graphic: NAJ screen shot

The Big Picture –
By Glynn Wilson –

WILSON LAKE, Ka. – It seems I’ve found the center of the country. It’s a salt water lake in central Kansas where you would not expect to see sea gulls. Yet they are here.

A colony of Franklin’s sea gulls on Wilson Lake in central Kansas: Glynn Wilson

Franklin’s Gulls: NAJ screen shot

The center of America: NAJ screen shot

After a good night’s sleep by the lake, with no broadcast noise pollution and no traffic noise, a question came to mind: What is the underlying motivation for people to create chaos and distort reality?

A Google search provided one answer.

“We’ve all encountered individuals who seem to create chaos wherever they go, whether in personal relationships, workplaces, or communities. These people often leave others feeling frustrated, confused, and drained,” wrote Christopher Zoboroski, a mental health advocate. “But what drives someone to perpetuate chaos, and why does it persist?”

Chaos creation, in psychological terms, refers to behaviors that disrupt harmony, create conflict, and perpetuate instability. While it may seem like chaos creators are simply trying to stir the pot, scientific research suggests that there are deeper, often unconscious, motivations at play.

“Chaos can serve as a mechanism of control for some individuals, allowing them to maintain a sense of power in unstable situations,” wrote Dr. Susan Whitbourne, a professor of psychology. “For these individuals, creating disruption can provide a sense of predictability in an otherwise unpredictable world.”

Why Do Some People Create Chaos?

Reasons could include:

* A Psychological Need for Control

* Unresolved Trauma

* Emotional Dysregulation

* Attention-Seeking Behavior

* Fear of Intimacy and Vulnerability

This article provides more details and advice on how to respond to chaos creators.

Why Some People Create Chaos: A Scientific Perspective

Political Context

But I wanted to know more about what could motivate a chaos creator like Donald Trump who, along with others like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, seem intent on disrupting our reality. Could greed and power be the only motivator?

So, just for an A.I. thought experiment, I put the question to ChatGPT like this:

“Why do you think Donald Trump is trying to create chaos and destroy reality?

ChatGPT said:

“That’s a strong and pretty complex claim! When people say Donald Trump is ‘trying to create chaos and destroy reality,’ they’re often referring to his style of communication and political tactics – things like spreading misinformation, using provocative rhetoric, or undermining trust in institutions. Critics argue that this approach can create confusion, polarize society, and destabilize norms.

“On the other hand, supporters might say he’s shaking up a system they view as broken or corrupt, or that he’s just being a disruptive outsider challenging the status quo.

“What do you think drives that perception? Are there specific actions or statements that make you feel this way?”

I said:

“No, I want to know what possible motivation there is for doing this to a society? Is it just profit? Or is there something more sinister at work?”

ChatGPT said:

“Got it—you’re asking about the possible motivations behind someone deliberately creating chaos or distorting reality on a societal level. That’s a deep question, and motivations can be layered and complex.”

Here are a few possibilities, ranging from practical to more sinister:

1. Power and Control

Chaos can be a tool to consolidate power. When society is confused or divided, people may be more willing to accept strong, authoritative leadership or less scrutiny. Undermining shared facts can weaken institutions that check power, making it easier for someone to control the narrative and maintain authority.

2. Profit and Personal Gain

Chaos and sensationalism often generate attention, which can translate into financial gain—through media ratings, book deals, speaking engagements, or political donations. Disrupting norms can also create opportunities for business ventures or favorable policies.

3. Ideological or Political Goals

Sometimes creating chaos or distorting reality can be a strategy to push a certain ideology or political agenda. By destabilizing existing systems or discrediting opponents, it becomes easier to reshape society in a particular image.

4. Psychological Factors

Some leaders may enjoy the sense of disruption or believe that shaking things up violently is necessary for “truth” or “renewal.” There could also be a desire to provoke, dominate, or retaliate against perceived enemies.

5. More Sinister Theories

Beyond practical motivations, some speculate about darker intentions – like intentionally undermining democracy to pave the way for authoritarianism, or deliberately fostering division to weaken a nation’s global standing. These theories often hinge on the belief that the person wants lasting damage rather than temporary gain.

“Do you lean toward any of these explanations, or do you think there’s something else driving this? It’s fascinating to consider what pushes someone to sow that kind of disruption.”

I said:

“Could this be payback to the Russian Mob for bailing Trump out of bankruptcy when no American bank would loan him money when his Atlantic casino was failing?”

ChatGPT said:

“That’s an interesting theory – and there have been plenty of rumors and reports over the years suggesting complex financial ties between Donald Trump and Russian interests, including some involving organized crime elements like the Russian mob. The idea that Trump might feel indebted or ‘pay back’ those who helped him financially isn’t far-fetched in a world where business and politics can get deeply entangled.”

Here’s the rough context:

Trump’s Atlantic City casinos struggled financially in the 1990s and early 2000s, leading to multiple bankruptcies.

It’s widely reported that traditional American banks were hesitant to lend him money because of the high risk.

During that period, there have been allegations (not fully proven) of Russian individuals or entities linked to organized crime providing financing or other support to Trump or his businesses.

If true, one could imagine a scenario where Trump might feel loyalty, obligation, or strategic interest in maintaining good relations with those parties.

Motivation-wise:

If this payback theory holds, then actions that seem chaotic or damaging could be influenced by desires to serve or protect those relationships, or to support geopolitical interests aligned with those backers.

That said, it’s important to note:

Much of this remains in the realm of allegations, investigative reporting, and speculation.

No definitive proof publicly confirms direct “payback” schemes.

Real motivations could be a tangled mix of business, personal loyalty, ideology, and political strategy.

“What do you think? Are you drawn more to financial influence theories, geopolitical strategy, or something else when it comes to explaining this?”

Makes sense to me. You?

Related: Trump E.P.A. to Reconsider Biden’s Ban on Asbestos: Does Trump Have a Conflict of Interest?

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