#46677
Sheelah
Moderator

I must admit to having an aversion to the word ‘loser’, Rich. For me it always evokes Simone Weil’s extremely insightful thoughts on idolatry and striving for success in the things of the “world” or the “great beast” as she expressed it. However, in this context, designating a person as a ‘loser’ is a mechanism whereby we achieve group cohesiveness by ganging up on someone. Typical scapegoating behaviour, so evident in the class bully and also the ‘also-rans’ who, being afraid that they will be the next target of abuse, side with the bullies as an act of self-defense.