John, you've touched on a difficult subject. I feel ambivalent about using laws to enforce culture. On the one hand I would favor laws prohibiting the spread of Islam but on the other hand, laws that control individual behavior have already become so numerous that we inadvertently break some law everyday of our lives.
Yes, it is a difficult subject, one that needs more than a video to explore.
We must disaggregate "laws to enforce culture." To say no one can discuss "X" would be anti-Western and Unconstitutional. Saying kids must go to school and no tattoos until 18 have have been democratically chosen.
Absolute values cripple. If we say no laws will ever impinge on anyone, individual rights made absolute, we have total anarchy. Self-governance in our political history is a matter of the majority making decisions for themselves with the guard of the Supreme Court.
After you're 18 you are free, literally, to get a tattoo on your face. Would you vote to raise the face age to 21? Ultimately, I think individuals are prevented from doing so until 21 would be freer. A society that makes people go to school until 16 is actually freer.
Ultimately all laws teach. Reinstating laws which prohibit sex on public tv would teach the mind is higher than the body. The same laws for cable and film, would teach we don't value free speech. But child porn should be illegal on all media. To debate these and vote is to have a society. Its a culturist act.
I'm not sure why you or culturalism would be against tattoos. Personally, I think they look trashy. However, I have also seen beautiful works of art adorned on the skin. I wouldn't wear one if you paid me. However, why be against tattoos from a culturalist pov? Is it because tattoos origins are outside of the west? Because they are part of Eastern culture? Or is for asethic reasons? I'm curious. I just think they look asethetically unpleasing (ugly). Also, curious. How old were you when you went to grad school. It's wonderful that a secondary teacher went to grad school to earn a PhD. Thank you for your book and blog. Very thoughtful in deed.
The tattoo video was supposed to illustrate the culturism (no "al") chapter on nature. The idea is that tattoos are a trend. People do not get them after heavy individual reflection about the meaning of life. Their getting them confirms group think.
The chapter on nature shows that our brain size is adapted to absorb culture. This can be seen in how little kids pick up the language of their culture. People absorb the beliefs of their culture. If we do not provide a cultural vision for youth to absorb, they will get it from their peers and those who have status amongst their peers. But as adults, as an advanced civilization with a long story, we should be guiding the transference of culture.
So one way we can do that is by having laws that don't let people get tattoos until they are more mature. Or, if nothing else, asking them to "think before they ink." Tattoos, at any rate, are just a way to illustrate the natural cultural dynamics above.
I started my doctoral program at 42!! I got my master's about 7 years ago. I'm 44 now. My dissertation will be on the Americanization movement. It is a very important culturist movement. And, ultimately, I hope that will get published normally and add some credibility to culturism.
Thanks for the appreciation of my book and blog. Encouragement when I do not get much feedback is very much appreciated.
4 comments:
John, you've touched on a difficult subject. I feel ambivalent about using laws to enforce culture. On the one hand I would favor laws prohibiting the spread of Islam but on the other hand, laws that control individual behavior have already become so numerous that we inadvertently break some law everyday of our lives.
Yes, it is a difficult subject, one that needs more than a video to explore.
We must disaggregate "laws to enforce culture." To say no one can discuss "X" would be anti-Western and Unconstitutional. Saying kids must go to school and no tattoos until 18 have have been democratically chosen.
Absolute values cripple. If we say no laws will ever impinge on anyone, individual rights made absolute, we have total anarchy. Self-governance in our political history is a matter of the majority making decisions for themselves with the guard of the Supreme Court.
After you're 18 you are free, literally, to get a tattoo on your face. Would you vote to raise the face age to 21? Ultimately, I think individuals are prevented from doing so until 21 would be freer. A society that makes people go to school until 16 is actually freer.
Ultimately all laws teach. Reinstating laws which prohibit sex on public tv would teach the mind is higher than the body. The same laws for cable and film, would teach we don't value free speech. But child porn should be illegal on all media. To debate these and vote is to have a society. Its a culturist act.
I'm not sure why you or culturalism would be against tattoos. Personally, I think they look trashy. However, I have also seen beautiful works of art adorned on the skin. I wouldn't wear one if you paid me. However, why be against tattoos from a culturalist pov? Is it because tattoos origins are outside of the west? Because they are part of Eastern culture? Or is for asethic reasons? I'm curious. I just think they look asethetically unpleasing (ugly). Also, curious. How old were you when you went to grad school. It's wonderful that a secondary teacher went to grad school to earn a PhD. Thank you for your book and blog. Very thoughtful in deed.
Hi Anonymous,
The tattoo video was supposed to illustrate the culturism (no "al") chapter on nature. The idea is that tattoos are a trend. People do not get them after heavy individual reflection about the meaning of life. Their getting them confirms group think.
The chapter on nature shows that our brain size is adapted to absorb culture. This can be seen in how little kids pick up the language of their culture. People absorb the beliefs of their culture. If we do not provide a cultural vision for youth to absorb, they will get it from their peers and those who have status amongst their peers. But as adults, as an advanced civilization with a long story, we should be guiding the transference of culture.
So one way we can do that is by having laws that don't let people get tattoos until they are more mature. Or, if nothing else, asking them to "think before they ink." Tattoos, at any rate, are just a way to illustrate the natural cultural dynamics above.
I started my doctoral program at 42!! I got my master's about 7 years ago. I'm 44 now. My dissertation will be on the Americanization movement. It is a very important culturist movement. And, ultimately, I hope that will get published normally and add some credibility to culturism.
Thanks for the appreciation of my book and blog. Encouragement when I do not get much feedback is very much appreciated.
John
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