Good thoughts, Peter. (01)
Peter P. Jones wrote:
> Blogging on list...
>
> I think the key point turns on 'preparedness to break'. I can see why
> Tom is upset about that. I think it only makes sense if you are
> breaking new ground in the sense of offering significant improvement
> and being able to prove such.
> In relation to social norms it seems to me that they shouldn't be
> broken. They should be understood, and if they are hurting more than
> improving, then they should be tuned within a dialogical process.
> If you break norms unilaterally, then you risk shattering the fragile
> stained-glass window of civilisation altogether.
> (N.B. This simple model does not define what counts as civilisation.
> There are historico-cultural differences on that score. But why they
> have to generate friction I am not sure.)
>
> Where previous national revolutions have occurred I think some things
> should be noted:
> 1) The vast bloodshed involved in all cases.
> 2) That those revolutions came about because dialogue had died and
> frustrations were vented as violence. There came a point where those
> who would have rescued the dialogue were dismissed and ignored as the
> craving for bloodshed kicked in.
> 3) That imbalances in power relations tend to amplify the speed and
> force of counter-oscillations when dialogue fails, and amplify
> tensions before dialogue fails.
>
> It is interesting to ask whether certain things in history were
> unavoidable or not, and it is very relevant to ask whether the future
> should contain as much bloodshed as the 20th Century did. Preventing
> more bloodshed stands upon the successful maintainence of dialogue.
> (If I sound sage it is because I try to learn from my scars.)
>
> Dialogue in a material world is not just about words. And dialogue in
> a world full of intransigent creeds is much harder to maintain.
> So there needs to be real giving to back up the words, and an ability
> to see past one's creed to accept the words of the other as they
> really are.
> Whatever the definition of civilisation might be I don't think the
> world is civilised yet. There are still too many tribal apes wielding
> clubs.
>
> Reach for subtlety, list citizens! :)
> (02)
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