Sheeple

Sheeple (a portmanteau of "sheep" and "people") is a term of disparagement, in which people are likened to the herd animals sheep. The term is often used to denote persons who voluntarily acquiesce to a perceived authority figure's suggestion without critical analysis or sufficient research to understand the ramifications of that decision. By doing so, Sheeple undermine their own individuality and may willingly give up their rights. The implication of the term is that people fallaciously appeal to authority and believe or do what they are told by perceived authority figures who they view as trustworthy. The term is generally used in a political, social, and sometimes spiritual sense.

Usage

The label originated in the United States, possibly referring to British John Brunner's novel The Sheep Look Up, and designates people who tend to accept and take statements at face value, especially if it is cited in mainstream media. There is documented print usage of this word as early as 1950, in the form, "We, the Sheeple", in the Emory University Quarterly, v.6-7 1950-1951, page 64. "The Wall Street Journal first reported the label in print in 1984; the reporter heard the word used by the proprietor of an American Opinion bookstore affiliated with the John Birch Society. In this usage, taxpayers were derided for their blind conformity as opposed to those who thought independently. Shortwave radio host Milton William Cooper used the term commonly during his Hour of the Time radio show during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The term is also used more broadly to describe any person whom the speaker feels is exceedingly conformist.

Governance

The term is also used for those who are deemed inordinately tolerant, or welcoming, of government intrusion and regulation. In a column entitled "A Nation of Sheeple," columnist Walter E. Williams writes, "Americans sheepishly accepted all sorts of Transportation Security Administration nonsense. In the name of security, we've allowed fingernail clippers, eyeglass screwdrivers and toy soldiers to be taken from us prior to boarding a plane."

In popular culture

• Former Canadian MP Garth Turner authored a book titled Sheeple, which is about his second time in the Canadian House of Commons.
• In the song "Slipping" from the internet TV miniseries Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Dr. Horrible said "Look at these people/Amazing how sheeple show up for the slaughter."

See also

• Brainwashing
• Conformity
• Crowd psychology
• Dumbing down
• Group behaviour
• Groupthink
• Gullibility
• Herd behavior
• Indoctrination
• Propaganda
• Psychological manipulation
• Slacktivism
• Superficiality