Okay, two notes here. The first ‘Kelly Clarkson’ remark is a reference to The 40 year old virgin (in the male chest waxing scene, as it was said as an expletive). The second thing was that I decidedly did not put any racist or homophobic language in the title, as I thought the title might be too offputting for readers to actually read the article (so I’m putting in this video instead to highlight what my piece today is about):
A list of gaffes
I have found a lot of interest in offensive language and gestures, the notion of offense and political correctness lately. Here’s a list of stories I’ve found:
I can find more if I really wanted to, oh yes, there is the all-famous Christian Bale incident, where the BBC had broadcast it uncensored.
Clearly, all of these incidents have unique features to them (Miley Cyrus, for instance, has a desire to want to be contraversial (such as wearing that Iron Maiden shirt the other day; Jeremy Clarkson is just being Jeremy Clarkson, and the Royals and Thatcher seem to represent an upper class of the political elite (at least, of their families, anyway.
Howeverr, there is a general moral panic about offensiveness and political correctness. Anyone Tsar or Romanov in broadcasting and media should be shitting themselves, cos the villagers could be burning their homes any time now. Question is, why is it happening now? I think it’s the economy, this seems to be a referred pain of social ills, like in the film Children of Men, when the extinction of humanity reminds the British about the ills of….terrorism and illegal immigration?
Those who seem to think that the majority opine or the loudest voice seems to be rule, forget the inconsistency of our own preferential sets.
Sentimentality can easily overcome such things as consistent preferences. The neutrality of the BBC is considered in not broadcasting an appeal for the Gaza victims. Here are some reasons why:
i. This issue is inherently partisan political – against the BBC remit
ii. The victims are implicitly Palestinian
iii. The audience to which it is broadcast is not cultivated enough to see the nuances of a political situation beyond its most horrific casualties, or to state this in a single word, sentimentality is an improper tool of convincing one to the appeal, one which is inherently political, compared to a natural disaster.
In all fairness this is perhaps not the best front to address the futility of a majority populism, as one does not himself approve of these acts. It is good however, that other channels in the UK did broadcast, so that they did have a chance to see the appeal, and are informed enough to donate. Also note that those channels such as ITV do not have an international viewership, such to be sensitive to the body of its viewers beyond th UK.
Majority rule in popularity contests shall be our next address of pursuit
…of “history repeats itself” comes to mind;
think 1930s,
think art deco and inaccessible music,
think prohibition,
think dancehalls,
think recession,
think drink and drugs,
think depression,
think socialism,
think ideological warfare,
remember a death of an empire,
remember the folk ideology,
remember Romanticism? the bricolage of postmodern nostalgia has turned on itself
remember Modernity? only left-wing intellectuals and the avant-garde do…
remember the problem of consumption,
over-buying,
we can sell and sell and sell, but the profit stops when we all have that latest thing
remember the cult of personality,
remember censorship,
remember when we had new ideas,
remember old ideas,
remember that age-old platitude…
ah, forget about it…
Last night, Antisophie gave me a phonecall and told me that a Vatican astronomy expert said that the Church should not rule out the possibility that there could be life on Mars. I’ve often thought about how a Christian would consider the issue of extra-terrestrial life. My prima facie thoughts would be that a Christian has motivations not to accept such a possibility; but what kind of Christian would that be?
Such a Christian would maintain that Jesus is the source of all salvation; that humanity is the pinnacle of creation, and that as createes in Eden; we have taken on damnation by original sin. It would be those things, core to Christian belief, to which we would deny alien life; why?
Because Jesus is the source of all salvation; if (counterfactual) we entertained there was alien life who was conscious and aware and sentient like us; it too would require salvation. Or, would they? Would these aliens require Jesus’ salvation? Or would they go to hell because they never knew Jesus? Or, if we are really pushing it; did God have anotherson whom which he sacrificed for another terrestrial race? The latter is a very hard and challenging thought that, I suppose, a believer wouldn’t want to accept. I’m not asserting these questions are problems, but they are things a believer would want to answer; for the conceivability and overall cogency of their view.
If there was life outside of Earth; are we then the pinnacle of creation? If there is life outside of earth; are they tainted by original sin?
On the one hand; I don’t really think there should be much of a conflict; but then, Master Destre said to me; “Think harder, Magister”, his eyes, penetrated through me as his pupils sharpened and focused at me with his dry, icy gaze.
Think about the beliefs that we hold; and think about the comfort that we have when we believe them to be true. Of course, there are many beliefs to which we are uncomfortable about, that we hold true. The fact that we have things that we do not like to admit, but are nonetheless true, and we believe so, shows that we do not simply believe in things we want to.
Perhaps it is a sign of rationality or reflexivity if one demonstrates that their beliefs are subject to some experiential or rational tribunal; where the tribunal of truth and validity lies either outside of us (experience), or imbued within the laws outside of us (reasoning). Is it easy to believe that God loves us? No, it is not; to believe that God loves us, is hardly evidenced in the world. Where is God in the natural disasters of the world, our own personal tragedies, and the fundamental injustices that we inflicts upon our siblings. It is not easy to beleive that there will be a happy ending, especially for those who are heavily involved in the relief of the plight of others. What there is, is a hope, a hope that salvation will come; and this is seriously challenged by the presence of bad fortune and evil in the world. It is far from easy for the intelligent person to believe in God; or for the genuinely compassionate to have hope, in the face of utter despair. Yet, some still do…
What about the flexibility of scientific practice? Imagine to find your life’s work, celebrated by generations after you, being destroyed, or modified beyond your recognition, in the name of truth-preservation. What certainty or fortitude is there in physics? The scientific outlook is one based on shaky metaphysical grounds, shaky empirical methodology, and uncertain substantive conclusions. Rightly so, many would affirm. But, here we have a worldview very uncertain, always subject to change, in constant flux. It is this kind of worldview that tensely is distinct in form from that of the religious belief worldview. The world of the religious beliver is one that has a hope for certainty and truth, and underlying resolution; in the light of flux; and science, is the acknowledgment of flux, and perhaps, the search for similar certainty? We then might say, young charge, that this is not a difference in ideology. Cultural mindset perhaps? To challenge the sensibilities of how one live’s their lives and sees the world? We must always doubt; perhaps this is the test for believers; to find tthe most proper channel for their belief in the light of a powerful rational method. Do we oppose it, or try to find resolution? Or, better still, adopt the rational method as standard, and consider our epistemic norms; such as the good deontic conception of principles like “follow the conclusions to wherever they take you”.
Epistemic norms? Something I find quite interesting, myself…
When I'm in this state of mind
I'm wishing I was blind. Sometimes life is
more than pain, to me
I feel the power of my grief. Death would be
such a relief. All the secrets that I hide
would die, with me.
Depression is my only friend. Will this
torture never end? Let me carry on to
the dreamers sky.
I keep crying in my dreams.
Can you hear my endless screams?
When I fade away I fade, away.
Chorus: THIS FLUID ON MY CHEEK, IT DRAINS ME
I GET WEAK. MY HEART IS COLD & BLEAK
BLACK BLOOD. BLACK TEARS.
Life is like a masquerade. In debt to myself,
but I can't pay. Soon I'll call it all a day, away.
I've never felt what you call guilt.
I still believe "Do what thou wilt"
My sorrow will destroy the world I've built.
(Chorus)
Edge of Sanity
Edge of Sanity’s original song is quite a statement; released in 1994; the album, Purgatory Afterglow was in the memory of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain. I think there is a certain Gen X bleakness about it, the disillusionment of youth. This is really, what, I would deem, is at the heart of heavy metal, and the nature of good music itself; the introspective mindset, the exploration of one’s own inner states and feelings; and also, an evokation of our current times. How Romantic [or, should I say, Modern...)...
One thing I find particularly curious is the major key tonality!
Antisophie
[Editorial] I also want to add this appendum; it’s an Eternal Tears of Sorrow ‘cover’ version, because, I think they are a great band.
1. It has been revealed yesterday that John Prescott, former Deputy PM, that he has bulimia; this is very shocking; for various reasons, one, because he’s infamous as a big man, he’s percieved as very fierce as a politician, and also, he is male. Yes, we all know it can happen that men can have eating disorders; but it is challening to our social intuitions (in a good way) that anyone could experience bulimia.
2. The revelations of the mass media and their idols; celebrities can be a good thing when it comes to illnesses; consider Kylie Minogue’s breast cancer scare; it brought about awareness for many women to check themselves for cancer.
3. I looked up a bit more about male celebrity eating disorders; I found out the following had experience of eating disorders: Russell Brand, Elton John, Rory Bremner and most surprising, David Coulthard.
The conclusion I would like to make is maybe celebrity culture and the focus and idolatry of individuals isn’t so much of a bad thing; the Greek Gods had flaws, and people learned from their indulgences.
Pro-ana groups, and pro-mia groups are websites, online support groups, and other internet oriented pages where information about eating disorders are put forward in a non-judgmental environment. Normally, when the issue of eating disorders come up; the standard reply is stop it; or, like all mental illnesses, an outright rejection and ignoring of the issue and the individual. Pro-ana, and pro-mia groups form as a centre for those who are going through these consumption patterns to find communal expression, for the pain that they feel, the pressures they face, and proffer to each other support and understanding; the kind that is emptathetic; that expresses I understand what you are going through.
Sometimes understanding is more important than passing judgment. What people want in times of distress is understanding, perhaps even contact with those who go through the same.
Pro ana groups vary in their sentiment; some go far to express that behaviours of ‘ana’ and ‘mia’ are not only acceptable, but desirable; others can be more moderate and emphasise the importance of an informed decision and the consequences; others give caloific information or recommend alternatives, or ways to limit damage, but nonetheless accepting the importance of the role of the ana/mia behaviours. It is far from clear to say that they ‘promote’ eating disorders.
It is important to note that the term of ‘pro-ana’ or ‘pro-mia’ doens’t refer to a specific movement or organisational body, in the same way that pro-paedophilia groups used to in the mid-late 20thC. The phrases denote a family of different kinds of groups, interests and values.
Prime says that:
Sufferers of eating disorders are allowed to come together and give tips on how to be thin, and perpetuate the norm that thin is beautiful.
It’s slightly more subtle than that; the reasons people have for engaging in these behaviours is far more diverse than image issues alone; there may be other underlying thigns. Coping mechanisms for various thigns that people face in life.
On a ‘lifestyle choice’
It’s a real life occurence, a cultural presence; rather than a Royal College of Psychiatry quarterly statistic. And in all fairness, it is the former more than the latter; that is to say. Those eating patterns are part of the life that is soaked in values, self-images, celebrations of physical ideals, pressures, romances, family, friends, fitting in, and all those everyday things that people live in; people live in lifestyles, not medical journals. A human face to a human behaviour. Not a scientific category which demeans people.
The question is, which I can’t really answer; is whether ‘lifestyle choice’ is a term of acceptance or promotion, or a more ambivalent and human referring term than some greco-romano medical term. Either way; to humanise the face of suffering is to understand it moer; it is possibly the worst thing to impose foreign labels upon people, tha tthey submit to and become defined by. It is, a form of self-oppression. Understanding is the key, not explanation or prognosis.
Prime on ‘motivations’
These groups do indeed provide techniques and coping mechanisms that people may not have been aware of before. But to shoot the messenger isn’t the way to deal with the message we get from the prevalence of self-harmers in society. If you kill a revolutionary you don’t end the revolution. The pro-ana/pro-mia phenomenon is a challenge to our ideas; we don’t fight ideas with actions like prohibition of thought, we fight it with open discussion and mutual understanding of the points of contention.
I repeat what I said earlier, ‘ana’ and ‘mia’ are not necessarily related to body issues; although there is a strong case to be made for it; similar point here; don’t shoot the messenger. It is culture and the hegemony of fashion and those ideals perpetuated by the whole of society through simulacrum that we need to attack, not the group who maintain it, but are affected by it the most; analogous claim, if we are having a crisis about our resources in oil, it is not the rig workers we blame, but those who control the rigs and pipelines.
The suggestion of poliing the internet, is like policing thought, or our way of expression. Some things we can never stop by means of prohibition. If we ban alcohol, there will come a black market of contraband; if we ban freethought through mainstream publication, we get eccentric and low-key publishers circulating texts that do not have the rigour and quality of blind review and proofing.
I think I will have to Sinistre*’s point of ambivalence and promotion of ana/mia to be a moot one; this is a case-by-case consideration.
Conclusion
Understanding is key. Like Sinistre* said at the start; this is an old issue in new clothing, or a new media in old issues. I firmly believe that ideas are things that can never die; so long as there are still people around to think them. Like the idea of equality, or democratic change, we find these sociogenic ideas come to fruition and their discourses may come to fruit through many ways. The most important feature of a change in society is the idea underlying it, not the people who instantiate it.
Destre posed a challenge to myself and Sinistre; we want to articulate between us a point of contention on the issue of pro-ana and pro-mia groups; the issues raised here can apply to other notions; particularly the circulation of terrorist websites, or, promoting the idea of pro-paedophile values (which was a problem during the late 20thC). Sometimes we find the same questions coming up in new ways. The recent phenomenon of the ‘pro-ana’ (and later pro-mia) movement is one such expression of these age old issues.
Ana and mia on the net
Pro-ana, and pro-mia sites are websites that promote eating disorders. The referring terms of ‘ana’ and ‘mia’ are to give human-sounding (and female) names, a personal face to this those conditions of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and, to some extent, EDNOS cases (eating disorders not otherwise specified). Sufferers of eating disorders are allowed to come together and give tips on how to be thin, and perpetuate the norm that thin is beautiful.
Reclassification
One of the ideas associated with pro-ana and pro-mia groups is that ‘anorexia’ and ‘bulimia’ should not be seen as medical categories; which, following the good company of Foucault, Goffman, and the interactionist tradition ensures a pretty unhelpful life for those who are engaging in these behaviours; they are fundamentally loaded terms, and are negative from the start; much like terms used to denote sexual assault.
Recoding ‘anorexia’ to ‘ana’, and ‘bulimia’ to ‘mia’ shifts from medical condition to lifestyle choice.
Motivations to condemn ‘ana’ and ‘mia’
These groups provide information and techniques to infom people of more aggressive behaviours for anorexia and bulimia. Teaching people, as such, how to lose weight as fast as possible; or how to hide it and general ‘do’s and dont’s’.
These groups glorify thinness. Perpetuating the very thing in culture that not only aggrivates this issue, they promote the norm that harms them.
With the exception of some countries making initiatives (France on the fashion industry, other countries banning certain internet sites); the internet is not policed; anyone with a curiosity can learn about it, and further, foster attitudes of those tendencies; where a more policed environment like the community of peoples in real life, may curb those who may be slightly inclined away. Anyone, particularly the very young, may be able to find these groups with ease.
These groups do not foster the attitude of avoiding these behaviours, but either pose ambivalence or promotion of it.
