David R. Dow says that violence at home breeds violence on the streets. My comment: This is a tough one. With the pace of change, parents who aren't keeping up feel that they have become useless and burdens to their kids. Parents feel that they have to pander to their children's desires in order to maintain the relationship. Parents have lost their confidence among the criticisms of how they bring up their kids and the minutiae of 'correct' breast-feeding. Their self-deprecation leads to self-loathing and violence. The globalization of knowledge has brought with it judgementalism, people looking over their neighbour's walls figuratively through the TV and other media. When accused, people act aggressively. And women... Women are so much more likely to not passively accept their husband's violence. Violence breeds more violence. The whole structure of the family needs to change to accommodate. And that's scary. I believe Dan has the answer.
I don't think 'natural' is good. There are many things that we apply (some almost arbitrary) (some ignorant and backward ideas of natural and not-natural agenda-propagating) rules of morality. I think 'natural' is a political rhetoric, profoundly abused. 'Diversity' is the only defensible rhetoric for 'thinking' beings. We are not, of course, the only creatures that do thinking, but we are the only creatures with the power to oppress others and other creatures whose languages we don't understand. Us (badly) thinking creatures, slowly, ponderously gathering the evidence of our badness (I see no reason for your (god's) patience with us), have the ability to decide to be better than (the fashionable) 'natural' of the day. It is our responsibility to transcend our vileness. Just that. That one task. Our thinkingness I believe is for that. A world (constructed by god) to demonstrate this point. And we will find every rhetor...
Comments