Compartmentalization – in everyday English is the mental trick where you split your brain into separate boxes so you don’t have to face the contradiction.
How It Works (3 Steps)
1. See the truth - You know something’s wrong - “The system jails people for speaking.”
2. Put it in a box - You lock it away from your actions - “But that’s over there — not my problem.”
3. Keep going - You act like it doesn’t matter - “I’ll still vote / work / obey.”
Why People Do It
Avoid guilt - “If I think about it, I feel bad.”
Stay safe - “Rocking the boat costs my job/friends.”
Feel good - “At least I’m not as bad as them.”
The Cost - You stay in the game — and the game wins.
One-Line Answer - Compartmentalization is when you know the house is on fire — but keep cooking dinner in the kitchen.
A form of cognitive dissonnance.
The Root Driver: Cognitive Dissonance and the Agentic State
Status + Conformity - Obey to rise
Moral Licensing - “I’m good, so my control is fine”
Tribal Reasoning - “My side’s censorship = protection”
Control at Scale - Victims become data points
Vicous Loop:
Status → Obey → Justify → Rise → Repeat
Once in this loop, you are an agent of the state. A willing agent too: there was no force, coercion or manipulation involved. Those terms are yet more modes of Guilt Shedding.
In the 150 V loop, you’re no longer a victim —
you’re the willing battery that keeps the shock generator running.
How to exit the 150 V Loop – 5 Dead-Simple Moves
Say the truth out loud - “This is wrong.” – to your mirror, your phone, your mate. - Breaks the silence box.
Do one “no” today - Skip the vote, pay cash, leave work at 5. - Cuts the power at 15 V.
Ask one person - “Do you hear it too?” - Two voices = 90 % drop (Milgram).
Own your choice - When guilt hits: “I picked this.”
Kills the excuse. - Live outside the game
One act a day: barter, help a neighbor, delete an app.
Builds the 0 V life.
Start with #1 — right now.
One sentence. One breath. One crack.