Monday 11 July 2022
Impersonal processes have not left the room
It is worth considering the possibility that over the past few decades, focus in public discourse has shifted away from impersonal processes towards a much greater focus on people. Of course this is an endlessly subtle distinction, but maybe one worth making as the possible root of a number of serious current problem.
To take just one familiar and superficially trivial example bound up in our ‘prizes for all’ culture. Gullible folk are now more likely to be told that they are beautiful, unique, strong or empowered, to be told ‘just be yourself’ or ‘you can be whoever you want’ which isn’t even true, but that doesn’t seem to matter. Or it could be any one of numerous similar platitudes.
We’ve seen something related to that in the grandkids’ school sports where nobody really loses and nobody really wins. It still generates a certain amount of enthusiasm because kids love running around, but they don’t quite confront the impersonal lottery of life where people discover the natural advantages they have and those they don’t.
To take another familiar example. The global climate has become the responsibility of people rather than a huge complex of impersonal processes. A shift in focus rather than an absolute shift of course, but clear enough. Ludicrous finger-pointing takes the stage.
To take another familiar example. Gender has become the responsibility of the individual person rather than the evolved, impersonal processes of human biology. Another example where finger-pointing takes the stage. Not a coincidence perhaps.
To take another familiar but much wider and more serious example. Truth has tended to become the exclusive responsibility of people we call experts rather than the effective elucidation of impersonal processes. There is surely a significant risk that here lies our approaching nemesis – impersonal processes are armed with consequences.
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5 comments:
Excellent summing up of some recurrent issues and what unites them. The last point about truth seems to somehow subsume the others. It reminds me of the Horace quote: "You can drive out nature with a pitchfork, but she will keep coming back".
There is a fascinating aspect to all of this. You are absolutely right to say that climate, gender, and reality in general have all become "our responsibility". But nobody actually accepts that responsibility in real life, do they? Nobody gets rid of their gas boiler or stops flying. People unhappy with their bodies will blame society or bigots, rather than doing the hard work of self-acceptance. Politicians keen to meddle in different areas of life don't resign when life still goes wrong. Kids who fail to achieve unrealistic ambitions blame others rather than their lack of talent.
It's almost as if we don't really believe that we are responsible - not in any meaningful sense. It's just a comforting media-inspired dream of omnipotence, like kids playing at superheroes.
Most of our past activities and endeavours were mediated by the competitive spirit and the attempts from certain quarters to deny it are yet another ideological effort. But as with the case of woke and trans proponent, reality cannot ultimately be gainsaid.
As someone who had to do the hard work of self-acceptance I can concur that you are absolutely right Sam. As usual, an extraordinarily astute comment.
Mind you, I havn't had to do any work in assuming the mantle of Tammly, who was my cat!
Sam - thanks and yes, there is that problem of missing personal responsibility. I notice it every time I travel on the motorway and see 'green' hybrid cars tanking along at 80mph.
As if many people are not concerned that their 'beliefs' clearly don't align with their behaviour. It has always been the case I suppose, but it is odd. I don't really understand why people are not embarrassed by it.
Tammly - yes, reality cannot ultimately be gainsaid but I sometimes wish it would be quicker, preferably before too much damage is done.
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