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 The phrase "many people neurotically prioritize badness-avoidance above all else, especially when in a moralistic frame of mind" means:

People often become excessively anxious about avoiding being seen as bad, wrong, or immoral — sometimes to an irrational or unhealthy degree — especially when they're thinking or acting in a moral context.

Let’s break it down:

• "Neurotically": Suggests an obsessive or anxious quality — not just normal caution, but an intense, perhaps irrational drive.

• "Prioritize badness-avoidance": They're not striving to be good as much as they're focused on not being bad. Avoiding blame, guilt, shame, or moral failure becomes their top concern.

• "Above all else": This fear overrides other considerations — such as truth, effectiveness, kindness, or authenticity.

• "Especially when in a moralistic frame of mind": This mindset tends to kick in when people are evaluating themselves or others through a moral lens — when thinking about what's "right" or "wrong".

Implication: Rather than being motivated by a healthy desire to do good or uphold principles, some people are more driven by a neurotic need to protect their self-image or social standing from the appearance of moral failure. This can lead to rigid thinking, virtue signaling, or avoidance of difficult truths.

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Here’s a practical example of neurotic badness-avoidance in action:

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🧍‍♂️ Example: A Workplace Dilemma

Scenario:
Alex is on a team at work where one team member, Jordan, consistently underperforms and misses deadlines, affecting the whole group’s progress. Everyone sees it, but no one says anything directly.

Alex’s Thoughts:

• “If I say something, people might think I’m being harsh or judgmental.”

• “What if I hurt Jordan’s feelings?”

• “I don’t want to be that person who calls someone out.”

So Alex stays silent, even though the team suffers and the problem gets worse.

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🧠 What’s going on?

Alex isn’t making the best decision for the group or even for Jordan, who might benefit from honest feedback. Instead, he’s neurotically prioritizing “badness-avoidance” — avoiding being perceived as unkind or morally wrong — even though silence may ultimately cause more harm.

He’s in a moralistic frame of mind, judging actions through the lens of “Is this good or bad?” and trying hard not to be on the “bad” side — rather than thinking:

“What’s most honest, constructive, or truly helpful in this situation?”

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🔄 Broader Pattern

This happens in many areas:

• Politics: People avoid saying complex or unpopular truths to avoid seeming "bad" or "wrong."

• Parenting: A parent may let a child get away with harmful behavior to avoid feeling like a “mean” parent.

• Activism or social media: People may anxiously perform moral correctness (virtue signaling) rather than engage with nuance or disagreement.

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Let me know if you want examples from relationships, schools, or other contexts!