Thursday, June 30, 2005
A Sociological Meme
A Sociological Meme
I must list five things that most of society does that I just don't get. Meme swiped from The Queen.
1. Pre-judge other people on looks or amount of money
Most people will swear that they are free of prejudice but the sad fact is that most of us really aren't. First impressions are considered very important because they can taint or enhance later feelings about that person. It just seems to me that so many people are in denial and will insist that looks or money played absolutely no role in their people picks--but coincidentally, their selections are both affluent and attractive!
2. Not care about old, sick, disabled or poor people
Again, most of us would swear that we DO care about those groups, yet there is a blaming mechanism that affects popular perception, like it's the person's own fault if they are sick, disabled or poor. That line of thought is that somewhere along the way, "those people" just didn't make the right, smart choices (unlike the perceiver!) and got what they deserved.
3. Be mean to other people, just for entertainment
I was initially astounded that the phrase "people watching" didn't mean the same thing to me as it does to many. I like to watch people, they are interesting! But the term "people watching" too often means critiquing, in a mean, negative, nasty way, the appearance, dress and general manner of the people observed. I can't figure out why that would be fun to do, what is the benefit or entertainment in it? Does it make the critiquers feel better about themselves because they feel superior to their victims?
4. Follow fads, religions, politics, whatever without thinking for themselves.
I could say a lot about this but won't, as I don't want to offend anyone, politics and religion are such touchy subjects. Needless to say, fervently believing in something just because someone else says so isn't using one's own thinking and analysis powers!
5. Slot people into particular roles, i.e. women do housework and tend children, men work outside on the lawn and on the car(s).
Yet another area where many people insist that THEY don't do this at all, they have an equal relationship! Yet, in my observation it's rampant. A co-worker visits a relative's house and wonders why the WIFE is such a slob because the house is dirty when both parties work full time. Or the husband/father comes and goes when he pleases while the wife/mother must find a babysitter if she needs to go out. I could give many more examples but will stop to avoid being redundant.
Oh, there are so many more things that most of society does that I just don't get, but we can only name five for this meme, lucky for you! If you'd like a turn at it you're welcome to give it a go.
George Carlin's "Some Favorite Oxymorons"
Assistant supervisor
New tradition
Original copy
Plastic glass
Uninvited guest
Highly depressed
Live recording
Authentic reproduction
Partial cease-fire
Limited lifetime guarantee
Elevated subway
Dry lake
True replica
Forward lateral
Standard options
Mandatory options
Mutual differences
Nondairy creamer
Open secret
Resident alien
Silent alarm
Sports sedan
Wireless cable
Mercy killing
Business ethics
Friendly fire
Genuine veneer
Full-time day care
Death benefits
Holy war
___________________________
I must list five things that most of society does that I just don't get. Meme swiped from The Queen.
1. Pre-judge other people on looks or amount of money
Most people will swear that they are free of prejudice but the sad fact is that most of us really aren't. First impressions are considered very important because they can taint or enhance later feelings about that person. It just seems to me that so many people are in denial and will insist that looks or money played absolutely no role in their people picks--but coincidentally, their selections are both affluent and attractive!
2. Not care about old, sick, disabled or poor people
Again, most of us would swear that we DO care about those groups, yet there is a blaming mechanism that affects popular perception, like it's the person's own fault if they are sick, disabled or poor. That line of thought is that somewhere along the way, "those people" just didn't make the right, smart choices (unlike the perceiver!) and got what they deserved.
3. Be mean to other people, just for entertainment
I was initially astounded that the phrase "people watching" didn't mean the same thing to me as it does to many. I like to watch people, they are interesting! But the term "people watching" too often means critiquing, in a mean, negative, nasty way, the appearance, dress and general manner of the people observed. I can't figure out why that would be fun to do, what is the benefit or entertainment in it? Does it make the critiquers feel better about themselves because they feel superior to their victims?
4. Follow fads, religions, politics, whatever without thinking for themselves.
I could say a lot about this but won't, as I don't want to offend anyone, politics and religion are such touchy subjects. Needless to say, fervently believing in something just because someone else says so isn't using one's own thinking and analysis powers!
5. Slot people into particular roles, i.e. women do housework and tend children, men work outside on the lawn and on the car(s).
Yet another area where many people insist that THEY don't do this at all, they have an equal relationship! Yet, in my observation it's rampant. A co-worker visits a relative's house and wonders why the WIFE is such a slob because the house is dirty when both parties work full time. Or the husband/father comes and goes when he pleases while the wife/mother must find a babysitter if she needs to go out. I could give many more examples but will stop to avoid being redundant.
Oh, there are so many more things that most of society does that I just don't get, but we can only name five for this meme, lucky for you! If you'd like a turn at it you're welcome to give it a go.
George Carlin's "Some Favorite Oxymorons"
Assistant supervisor
New tradition
Original copy
Plastic glass
Uninvited guest
Highly depressed
Live recording
Authentic reproduction
Partial cease-fire
Limited lifetime guarantee
Elevated subway
Dry lake
True replica
Forward lateral
Standard options
Mandatory options
Mutual differences
Nondairy creamer
Open secret
Resident alien
Silent alarm
Sports sedan
Wireless cable
Mercy killing
Business ethics
Friendly fire
Genuine veneer
Full-time day care
Death benefits
Holy war
___________________________
