On the island of Tana people worship John Frum. They believe that he is an American who lives in the volcano, and that one day he will return to bring them riches. The story is told somewhat differently in different interviews but the belief that John will return with cargo persist.
Below are two depictions of the John Frum Movement.
In John They Trust
The Fantastic Invasion John Frum and USA
We should not be too eager to mock these people, or say that they are foolish. After all we also persist to believe that great people will deliver riches, security, or greatness in spite of all evidence to the contrary.
Consider this!
Alan Greenspan: WE CAN ALWAYS PRINT MORE MONEY
Or Janet Yellen discussing inflation without mentioning the enormous amount of recently printed money!
A Conversation with Janet L. Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury of the United States of America
Or Donald Trump’s prepandemic crisis, suspension of the debt ceiling!
133 STAT. 1049PUBLIC LAW 116–37—AUG. 2, 2019
We are really not different from a cargo cult after all. You may choose what to believe, but choose carefully.