From time to time, you might come across someone who has a chip on their shoulder. In other words, they have a bad attitude about something and seem to be living in the past.
A cult movement, or extreme fanatics group could be chips off the old block in that they resemble their parents’ personality traits keeping old flames alight. Often though it’s a group thing. Crowds tend to go with the flow of others. If friends follow a movement or extreme activity, then perhaps an accompanying family member or friends attending rallies will be enticed into being part of the gang, a cool image thing.
Take Benito Mussolini as an example. He was an Italian nationalist and the founder of Italian Fascism. He ruled Italy from 1922–1925 as Prime Minister, and from 1925–1943 as il Duce, the Fascist dictator. Mussolini's Fascist takeover of Italy was an inspiration and example for Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany.
Adolf Hitler, tapped into followers by creating common themes of reasoning by blaming others for the economic instability of Germany. This triggered a massive following which led to victimizing the Jews with the further desire to create a community of racially pure Germans loyal to their führer, who would lead them in a campaign of racial cleansing and world conquest.
I get it, in that the whole trip an enticing inspiration to apparently be participating in something worthwhile, an idealistic path. In a perfect world that would be incredibly warming, alas it takes two to tango, but the paradise is unachievable. We don’t live in a perfect paradise!
Take Bolsonaro as another example of someone who saw such a vision. In his perfect world, everyone would eventually follow his irrational methods of trying to turn Brazil into a seventh heaven. Many followers bought into his dream and supported his madness. There is no point of flogging a dead horse.
People currently at such a point in their lives might want to take a reality check from previous generations and history who have tried it before, and then eventually come to the conclusion that it doesn’t work. Be real to the feel, and if you get the slightest inclination that you are part of one of these cults or extreme movements, get out while you can.
Take care!
Prof. Carl Boniface
Vocabulary builder:
Chip on his shoulder (idiom) = informal speech to have an angry or unpleasant attitude or way of behaving caused by a belief that one has been treated unfairly in the past. He has had a chip on his shoulder ever since he didn't get the promotion he was expecting.
Chip off the old block Meaning
Definition: A child who closely resembles, in physical or mental characteristics, a parent.
The idiom chip off the old block refers to someone who resembles one or both parents, either physically or in personality traits. This idiom is most commonly used to refer to men who look or act like their father.
Go with the flow (idiom) = be relaxed and accept a situation, rather than trying to alter or control it.
Flog a dead horse (idiom) = waste energy on a lost cause or a situation that cannot be changed.