http://www.newsweek.com/id/151158
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"People can't stand the idea of being a fool; it's cognitively intolerable. So they mentally "reframe" the situation to make their behavior not only acceptable but superior: They moralize their spinelessness, transforming it into altruism, community spirit—saintliness. They become "holier than thou."
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For many, the specter of bigotry terrifies; the thought of appearing an ignorant, hate-filled fool propels them towards whatever cognitive contortions will sanctify their base impulses. Rather than take responsibility for the price of such prejudice, it feels much more pleasant to blame the objects of their intolerance; shifting the shame of hatred to those that are despised.
This is especially true for those that abhor gender variant people; whether by religious cant, or social convention, distorted rationalizations provide a convenient cover for loathsome behavior. Assaulting people in nonconforming attire becomes "upholding traditional social norms"; exploiting gay compatriots morphs into "exercising the will of God"- vices in any other context are transmuted into virtue simply by using fallacies bolstered by fear and dogma.
Cherished habits are not purified by time alone; it is a willful pride that prevents a reexamination of values in the light of affirming acceptance. The ability to change, especially when it comes from the recognition of ignorance; is not weakness, but a courageous strength much under appreciated in the realm of rigid mindsets. Loving one's self allows the extension of charity towards all, even those most feared. The importance of building realistic self esteem, and sharing this gift with others creates a society where hatred need not be hallowed, and allows each individual the opportunity to contribute their gifts for the greater good. Admitting to wrongs, and changing them is the path to righteousness.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Between a king and jack
Gangsters and world leaders
Require the same protection from attack
From this distance it's hard to tell the difference
Between a king and jack
Between a poet and hack
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All those besotted by power become indistinguishable, their forms are dimmed by the warp by which they are adorned. Legality becomes inconsequential, the morality abandoned far overshadows any vestiges of humanity bestowed by conventionality; distending the figures into caricatures of humans.
The pretense that assumes societal sanction prevents depravity provides a twisted amusement, but no real comfort for anyone possessing even the rudimentary powers of discernment. Adoration surpasses any judgment concerning virtue; notoriety becomes justification for existence, and allows depravity its own special acceptance.
The artists of the airwaves need only create a following to insure their passage to salvation; hacking to heaven denotes the norm of abnormality. The success of excess canonizes carnality; the paragons of anything but virtue are enshrined by rapt attention and indiscriminate adoration. What man has deified, let no one debase.
Require the same protection from attack
From this distance it's hard to tell the difference
Between a king and jack
Between a poet and hack
-----------------------------------
All those besotted by power become indistinguishable, their forms are dimmed by the warp by which they are adorned. Legality becomes inconsequential, the morality abandoned far overshadows any vestiges of humanity bestowed by conventionality; distending the figures into caricatures of humans.
The pretense that assumes societal sanction prevents depravity provides a twisted amusement, but no real comfort for anyone possessing even the rudimentary powers of discernment. Adoration surpasses any judgment concerning virtue; notoriety becomes justification for existence, and allows depravity its own special acceptance.
The artists of the airwaves need only create a following to insure their passage to salvation; hacking to heaven denotes the norm of abnormality. The success of excess canonizes carnality; the paragons of anything but virtue are enshrined by rapt attention and indiscriminate adoration. What man has deified, let no one debase.
poisonous light pours from the picture palace
While the poisonous light pours from the picture palace
And it flickers on, tries so hard to be scandalous
-E. Costello
--------------------------------
The unfortunate aspect that bedevils most modern media circles around the lack of shock and shame; the jaded skin of the public has become a nearly impenetrable armor that affords all to be viewed without any discernible impact. Any transitory emotions evoked by displays of horror, gore or vile cruelty dissipate like sweat, evaporating into the ether; leaving the observer a fraction cooler and a portion slightly less fragrant but otherwise untouched.
Feigned indignation has superseded actual outrage in common expression, and with it, has further corrupted the integrity of feeling that prompts interpersonal connections; empathy seems unobtainable when one is separated from their own emotions. The search for sensation becomes ever more desperate and elusive; from vicarious killing to indiscriminate intercourse, bemused indifference overwhelms even the extremes of behavior, and leaves the pursuer increasingly empty in the quest for fulfillment.
The graven self images created for consumers by the magic of the marketplace fit ill, and invoke illness; the offered objects of desire has little relevance for the targeted humanoids, and sicken those that don such shabby costumes. Like tainted cloth spreading disease into those cloaked in such unsuitable attire, the media-draped roles are incompatible with mental health; no matter how accessorized, these polluted vestments usher in an infection of self negation.
The pandering of palatable poisons has become pandemic, and this affliction can not be cured by the nostrums of contemporary culture; they are the toxins responsible for such ailments. The truth lies within the realization that the pursuit of power has caused corruption, and all the flickering pictures can't hide that fact; no matter how scandalous or from what palace the pour.
And it flickers on, tries so hard to be scandalous
-E. Costello
--------------------------------
The unfortunate aspect that bedevils most modern media circles around the lack of shock and shame; the jaded skin of the public has become a nearly impenetrable armor that affords all to be viewed without any discernible impact. Any transitory emotions evoked by displays of horror, gore or vile cruelty dissipate like sweat, evaporating into the ether; leaving the observer a fraction cooler and a portion slightly less fragrant but otherwise untouched.
Feigned indignation has superseded actual outrage in common expression, and with it, has further corrupted the integrity of feeling that prompts interpersonal connections; empathy seems unobtainable when one is separated from their own emotions. The search for sensation becomes ever more desperate and elusive; from vicarious killing to indiscriminate intercourse, bemused indifference overwhelms even the extremes of behavior, and leaves the pursuer increasingly empty in the quest for fulfillment.
The graven self images created for consumers by the magic of the marketplace fit ill, and invoke illness; the offered objects of desire has little relevance for the targeted humanoids, and sicken those that don such shabby costumes. Like tainted cloth spreading disease into those cloaked in such unsuitable attire, the media-draped roles are incompatible with mental health; no matter how accessorized, these polluted vestments usher in an infection of self negation.
The pandering of palatable poisons has become pandemic, and this affliction can not be cured by the nostrums of contemporary culture; they are the toxins responsible for such ailments. The truth lies within the realization that the pursuit of power has caused corruption, and all the flickering pictures can't hide that fact; no matter how scandalous or from what palace the pour.
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