HATE PROMOTES INFLATION IN OUR ECONOMY AND FALSE EGOS
If we emotionally consider the enormity of the impact of animus domestically and internationally it is staggering... However, if we state the costs associated with animus in terms relative to something we can economically measure just here at home, the effect of animus is merely a trivial cost of doing business, that is of course if you are a computer calculating a financial table.
Quantifying the full impact of animus (hatred or hostility) in precise dollar terms is challenging due to its diffuse and multifaceted nature. However, it is possible to provide some estimates and contextualize these within broader economic metrics to illustrate the enormity of the problem.
A Consideration of Specific Costs -- Healthcare Costs:
Mental Health: According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), untreated mental illness costs the U.S. up to $300 billion annually in lost productivity, exclusive of heinous acts and those consequences committed by the mentally impaired. Physical Health: The CDC estimates that stroke costs the U.S. approximately $34 billion each year, including the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity. A lost temper can mean a lost life.
Law Enforcement and Incarceration: The U.S. spends over $80 billion annually on incarceration. A significant portion of this can be attributed to crimes fueled by animus, such as hate crimes and violent offenses. Court Costs: Prosecuting hate crimes and other animus-driven offenses adds to the judicial system's burden, costing millions annually in legal fees and court resources. All expenses after the fact.
Workplace Discrimination: Discrimination-related lawsuits and the resulting loss of productivity can cost businesses billions. For example, workplace discrimination claims cost U.S. companies an estimated $64 billion annually in terms of lost productivity.
Telephone and Online Fraud: The FBI reported that internet crime alone cost the U.S. $4.2 billion in 2020. A significant portion of this can be linked to animus-driven fraud targeting specific demographics. Just like everything else, those costs have risen in 4 years.
To survey the enormity of these costs, we can compare them to other significant national expenditures:
Total Annual Impact: If we combine the above figures, we can estimate that animus-related costs could easily surpass $500 billion annually in the U.S. alone. This figure includes healthcare costs, legal and criminal justice expenses, lost productivity, and fraud-related losses. All are exclusive of the price paid to attempt prevention. Comparison to National Budget: The U.S. federal budget for 2023 was approximately $6 trillion. Thus, the estimated annual cost of animus represents about 8.3% of the total federal budget. The GDP of the U.S. in 2023 was about $26.8 trillion. The estimated cost of animus represents roughly 1.9% of the U.S. GDP.
Despite the horror of it, there are individuals who are gainfully employed in activities that involve manifesting or promoting hate, serving the interests of propagandists, certain media outlets, fraudsters, and adversarial political entities. This can be verified by examining the roles and employment structures within various industries and organizations.
Hate as Content: Some media outlets and online platforms have been found to monetize hate speech and divisive content because it drives engagement, clicks, and ad revenue. Studies have shown that sensational and polarizing content can attract more viewers and readers, thus boosting advertising revenue. Hate as a Tool: Fraudsters often exploit societal biases and animosities to conduct scams and frauds. For instance, scams targeting specific ethnic or religious groups may play on existing prejudices and fears to extract money from victims.
Content Creators: Individuals are hired to create or amplify divisive and hate-filled content. Editors and Producers: Curate and disseminate such content to maximize viewership. Social Media Managers: Strategically promote controversial content to increase engagement on social platforms. Hate as a Strategy employed by political entities, both domestic and foreign, use hate speech and divisive rhetoric as part of their strategies to polarize societies and influence elections. Political Strategists and Consultants: Hired to design and implement campaigns that exploit societal divisions. Troll Farms and Bot Operators: Employed to spread hate and misinformation online. PR Specialists: Work on crafting messages that can incite division and hate with misinformation.
Investigations and reports by intelligence agencies and independent watchdogs, such as the U.S. Intelligence Community’s assessments and reports by organizations like the Atlantic Council, have documented how adversarial political entities use hate as a strategic tool. A 2019 study by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) found that social media companies greatly profit from hate speech, with algorithms designed to promote divisive content because it generates higher user engagement.
It is verifiable that individuals and enterprises are employed in roles that directly or indirectly involve manifesting and promoting hate, serving various biased interests. They divide us. When you see one, consider not investing in its business.
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