I suggest everyone read Dr. Ramani S. Durvasula's 2019 book: "Don't You Know Who I Am?": How to Stay Sane in an Era of Narcissism, Entitlement, and Incivility. I am a few chapters in on the audiobook read by Dr. Ramani. Much attention has been given to 45 because of that narcissism, and this book goes more broadly into the challenges of modern America and the world due to people feeling entitled. That includes when they are driving, which explains in part the risks to pedestrians and bicyclists. In fact, the future is frightening when it comes to all of the forces pushing us away from manners and civility.
On choice being a bad thing, I think about this a lot with our falling levels of social connection. Once in college I read about how the social fabric of Chicago used to be shaped by the fact that everyone would have to come out on their porches in the summer due to the heat, and would thus chat with each other. Once air conditioning was invented, no one wanted to do this, but you lose a lot when you're no longer forced to connect with people, and instead have to make an affirmative choice to do so.
I experienced this directly in college. In my first year, we lived in some pretty run down dorms where the rooms where dreary, cinderblock affairs with cheap and uncomfortable presswood furniture. Almost everyone hung out in the common room, which had an active and convivial social atmosphere.
The next year, they moved us into fancy new renovated rooms with more of a comfortable hotel-like atmosphere. The social scene was dead as a doornail after that. Throughout the school, it was clear that the nicer the dorms, the lonelier they were.
Tipping one’s hat is a gesture that dates back to medieval Europe, when knights would lift their visors to reveal their identity or show friendliness. Like many historic practices, it entered the invisible Handbook of Manners that polite members of society are expected to know and follow today.
I remember a TV ad from my childhood that featured the slogan: 'Wonder bread helps build strong bodies 12 ways!' This marketing phrase (which is no longer used), referred to the addition of multiple nutrients in the bread, which were said to contribute to a healthier, stronger body*.
We might be on sturdier ground if we claimed that manners contribute to a healthier, stronger body politic by connecting people through a shared practice, even if it has no obvious practical utility. Like bread and wine, people and communities can be fortified in ways that make them stronger.
* Critics have noted that similar to other white breads, Wonder Bread is primarily made from refined flour, and while vitamins and minerals are added back after processing, it lacks other nutrients like fiber which are essential for a truly balanced diet.
You’re a little behind the curve on How Fiat Works. It actually does have some inherent value—namely that you need Official Government Money to pay Official Government Taxes.
I suggest everyone read Dr. Ramani S. Durvasula's 2019 book: "Don't You Know Who I Am?": How to Stay Sane in an Era of Narcissism, Entitlement, and Incivility. I am a few chapters in on the audiobook read by Dr. Ramani. Much attention has been given to 45 because of that narcissism, and this book goes more broadly into the challenges of modern America and the world due to people feeling entitled. That includes when they are driving, which explains in part the risks to pedestrians and bicyclists. In fact, the future is frightening when it comes to all of the forces pushing us away from manners and civility.
On choice being a bad thing, I think about this a lot with our falling levels of social connection. Once in college I read about how the social fabric of Chicago used to be shaped by the fact that everyone would have to come out on their porches in the summer due to the heat, and would thus chat with each other. Once air conditioning was invented, no one wanted to do this, but you lose a lot when you're no longer forced to connect with people, and instead have to make an affirmative choice to do so.
I experienced this directly in college. In my first year, we lived in some pretty run down dorms where the rooms where dreary, cinderblock affairs with cheap and uncomfortable presswood furniture. Almost everyone hung out in the common room, which had an active and convivial social atmosphere.
The next year, they moved us into fancy new renovated rooms with more of a comfortable hotel-like atmosphere. The social scene was dead as a doornail after that. Throughout the school, it was clear that the nicer the dorms, the lonelier they were.
Tipping one’s hat is a gesture that dates back to medieval Europe, when knights would lift their visors to reveal their identity or show friendliness. Like many historic practices, it entered the invisible Handbook of Manners that polite members of society are expected to know and follow today.
I remember a TV ad from my childhood that featured the slogan: 'Wonder bread helps build strong bodies 12 ways!' This marketing phrase (which is no longer used), referred to the addition of multiple nutrients in the bread, which were said to contribute to a healthier, stronger body*.
We might be on sturdier ground if we claimed that manners contribute to a healthier, stronger body politic by connecting people through a shared practice, even if it has no obvious practical utility. Like bread and wine, people and communities can be fortified in ways that make them stronger.
* Critics have noted that similar to other white breads, Wonder Bread is primarily made from refined flour, and while vitamins and minerals are added back after processing, it lacks other nutrients like fiber which are essential for a truly balanced diet.
You’re a little behind the curve on How Fiat Works. It actually does have some inherent value—namely that you need Official Government Money to pay Official Government Taxes.