Deconstructing Da Vinci (part 2) the psychology of the code
Dan Brown’s book taps into the hive mentality of our culture. Let me explain what I mean by that. When I say “hive mentality” I don’t mean that the culture at large is interested in the common good, and so the individual makes decisions based on the interests of what’s best for the perpetuation of the hive. Rather, there is a large group within the culture, which values radical individualism and absolute personal autonomy above all else. In this sense there is a shared vision–a hive brain united against any authority seeking to promote the common good of all, as opposed to the desires of the one.
This group of morally relativistic cynics is suspicious of any authority which doesn’t allow them the freedom to do as they please. For them there is always an ulterior motive when it comes to those who wield power. The uncovering of corruption in government and in organized religion has fed this idea, and doubtless necessitates the reform of these institutions, but that is not my point here. What I want to underscore is the fact that Brown’s story capitalizes on our communal distrust of hierarchies. Especially those that tell us we need to conform to an ideal not in accordance with what we value. And what we value is our freedom to be morally unaccountable.
The commercial success of Brown’s book then is not just in the literary skill he possesses, but in the incisive way he has exploited the mental and emotional pathology of a subculture that is always looking for a smoking gun. In the process, he recasts Jesus in our own image, the ramifications of which lead to the elevation of self interest, extreme pragmatism, and absolute autonomy.
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