Theme-Diffusion of Responsibility

I chose to focus on the socio-psychological theme of Diffusion of Responsibility. In this theory, when in a group of people, an individual is less likely to act, even if the individual thinks that something should be done. There are a few people in the novel who do not fall into this trap. Those are the characters that we can see as “good” people and possibly even heroes of the story; however, the majority of society does run into this problem. This is one thing, I think, that Shusterman is trying to warn society about as well.

At the beginning of the story, Risa is brought before a tribunal (pgs 21-24) to decide her fate. These three have probably sent hundreds of children to their unwindings, and have become used to it. However, one must consider what it would have been like the first time each individual issued this sentence. Each one can find solace in the fact that the other two agree and that since it would have been a two to one vote, the fact that he or she did not protest is a nonissue. We do not know what each adult on the tribunal thinks of unwinding, but we do know that, collectively, they are okay with it.

At the warehouse, Risa clues Conner in that the other kids only speak poorly of Roland around him (pg. 147). This shows that many of the unwinds want to do something, but they are going to stay safely anonymous in the big group and wait for Conner to be the one that initiates a rebellion against Roland. Not one other person wants to try; they think that Conner can do it, so why not fade into the background where if Conner fails, they can still take Roland’s side?

At the graveyard, when the riot happens, it shows a classic case of diffusion of responsibility- mob violence (pgs. 246-249). The kids begin to attack the Admiral’s plane and then Cleaver. These unwinds have been living here for months and have never done anything like this. Once the entire group coalesces into a solid body and no one is an individual anymore, they will all commit atrocities that, individually, none of them would have done. Out of this, Conner comes and is an individual in the midst of the mob and brings order; makes all of them cease their attack. This highlights that fact that when one person in the mob will take responsibility and make decisions, the rest of the mob is easily swayed.

Society as a whole is turning a blind eye to the process of unwinding. They are being fed the line that it does not actually kill the child, so it is all right, plus, look at all the lives it saves! Isn’t it wonderful? Even if a few think that it is wrong, most of them fade into obscurity of the whole and do not do anything against the law. This was even how the law was passed. It was meant to be so outrageous that it would shock both sides into a better compromise. However, no one in the group would be the one to speak out, so the law was passed. Each person can deny responsibility because no one else did anything either.

There are some who do not fit into the diffusion of responsibility. I already mentioned Conner when he took charge of the mob at the graveyard. Sonya and the others running their unwind safe-houses are other examples of those who would step out and try to help in an unjust system. The teacher who was willing to take care of the storked baby shows great courage to do what is right. Last, the Admiral, although key in starting the legislation that started this whole mess, is trying to make amends and to try to save all the unwinds that he can. He also wants to make up for when he was willing to unwind his own son. At one point, he was denying the responsibility, but not anymore and he becomes the reason that so many unwinds make it to their 18^th birthdays. Those who do take responsibility and try to right the wrongs of the society are the ones that we look back in the story and like. The ones who go with the flow of the majority of public opinion are the ones that we become disgusted with.

Shusterman wants to warn us that as a society, there are things around us that are not good, but we accept them because everyone else does. We don't know what we can do about it, so we do nothing, except possibly discuss it with someone we find to be more capable than ourselves. If everyone would stop "passing the buck," it is possible that more injustices could be avoided.