The true believer and the blasphemer share the power of the symbol: a reverent or desecrator both act from fervent belief.
While irreverence can be an antidote to weaponized piety, what truly kills the sacred is to make it abundantly commonplace, from whence it is trivialized into the secular.
Watch commerce parasitically affiliate with the sacred until the transcendent transforms to tchotchke.
Tag: communication
- Theme: Self
To kill a symbol don’t fight it: trivialize it
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1–2 minutes - Theme: Growth
Doing things “to people” rather than “for people”
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1–2 minutesGiven our incentive structure our time is very valuable. Thus we are good at doing things to people, such as procedures, but we are not good at doing things for people, such as attentive listening and discussion.
- Theme: Self
Describing is not Explaining
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1–2 minutesThere is a difference in describing and explaining.
Science has become better and better at describing things (phenomenon) and predicting behaviors. But discrepancies continue to appear, and we cannot explain how they came to be.
We can describe in detail, but not wrap it into a powerful narrative of causal explanation, which leads to a more and more fragmented information, with more and more speculative theories stringing them together, producing a less and less coherent worldview. - Theme: Self
“It is what it is”
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1–2 minutesObviously. This is known as a tautophrase: a circular (reinforcing) definition that says the same thing twice.
This phrase pretends to stoic wisdom through acceptance: "it is" beyond control therefore we should move along instead of continuing to consider "it."The most annoying (and detrimental) aspect is the evasion of communal reflection, and subsequent deferral of responsibility, by claiming fixity through redundancy.
- Theme: Self
Clarity as Camouflage
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1–2 minutesTo clarify we attempt language.
The attempt of intimate transparency transmutes under excessive discourse, shrouding situational reality with obscuring vagaries, shades of intent. Under this web of words we form camouflage and shield. Under the method of communion we not only can hide, but can learn to attack. - Theme: Growth
Don’t-ignore-me Tantrum
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1–2 minutesSometimes we push back against things simply to push, to flex and feel real. Our internal wiring (ego) acts out, asserting itself in the world: recognize I am a force to be deferred to and included.
Having a voice is good, sharing unique insights that help is good. Reminding people you exist by throwing a wrench into their life isn’t. - Theme: Self
Sensible conversation as a “representation”
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1–2 minutes“nowadays one can talk with anyone, and it must be admitted that peoples opinions are exceedingly sensible, yet the conversation leaves one with the impression of having talked to an anonymity…” – Soren Kierkegaard
There is a slide into abstract sensibility: modernity leads from authentic individuality into a “representation” of an opinionated individual. Kierkegaard was concerned that the effacing of the individual for polite equality (democratic banality) in public life works its way inward to our private relationships.
~ Matthew Crawford, “The World Beyond Your Head” - Theme: Self
Sticky Stories
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1–2 minutesStories have power.
The ones told first are sticky and hard to dislodge, despite more rational stories that reveal truth and work to promote harmony. And thus we perpetuate half-truths and shams out of sheer momentum and consensus popularity. - Theme: Growth
Conversational Cadence
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1–2 minutesThere is a cadence to conversation, but to learn the cadence doesn’t have to be equal and you don’t have to pepper people with interrogatory questions: you can speak less and let them reveal their nuanced depths.
- Theme: Self
Rethinking politeness
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1–2 minutesPoliteness may be beneficial when navigating social systems, showing deference and respect, and reducing anxiety with decorum.
Yet it is also a set of protocols. It mediates personal interactions until you can no longer be sure exactly who somebody is: politeness can be a mask, disguising the real you.