Mokokchung has long been regarded as a cultural and intellectual hub in Nagaland. Yet at times the town risks being caught in the subtle grip of two forces that can quietly stall progress: the Golem Effect and victimhood mentality. Together, they create a cycle of low expectations and resignation that holds back the very potential the community is capable of realizing.
The Golem Effect, in psychological terms, occurs when low expectations imposed by others lead to underperformance. Suppose a narrative develops that “Mokokchung has peaked, it can’t do better than what it already is.” If opinion leaders, institutions, neighboring communities, or even policymakers hold this view, they unconsciously deny it new opportunities. Collective expectations drop, development projects bypass the district, entrepreneurs are overlooked, and investment flows elsewhere. This is not because Mokokchung lacks talent or vision, but because it is quietly written off by external observers who expect little from it.
Victimhood mentality emerges when such external attitudes are internalized. Sections of Mokokchung’s own population may begin to think, “We are always ignored by the government. We can’t progress because we are neglected.” While structural challenges certainly exist, this mindset shifts focus from self-driven initiative to blame and resignation. Communities stop initiating projects on their own, waiting instead for interventions that rarely arrive, which reinforces stagnation.
The reinforcing cycle occurs when outsiders’ low expectations under the Golem Effect lead to fewer opportunities and support, while internal victimhood mentality creates passivity and lack of initiative, resulting in a society that underperforms and seems to confirm the Golem Effect.
Breaking free requires rejecting both of these forces. Mokokchung must cultivate its own high expectations and declare, “We can do better, and we will show it.” Local entrepreneurs, youth leaders, and community organizations need to demonstrate that progress does not depend solely on government patronage. Tourism, culture, education, and innovation can be leveraged to show that Mokokchung continues to evolve and surprise. Positive self-expectation and proactive initiatives inspire outsiders to take notice, creating opportunities that validate progress.
Every society has a choice: to conform to the low bar set by others or to raise its own standards. Mokokchung must resist both the Golem Effect and internalized victimhood. Progress requires breaking the loop by cultivating high expectations within the community and demonstrating capacity, which in turn alters how others perceive and engage with the district.