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Without quoting Dave, with whose sentiment I agree, even if my experience seems
to be less in relation to public nudity in Europe, John's response made me
chuckle.
In lugnet.off-topic.debate, John Neal wrote:
> I'm curious. What do you think about the concept of "decency"?
Heinously over-rated. "conformity to standards of taste, propriety, or quality"
- in my experience the standards vary widely, and decency as an enforceable
requirement of conduct is just asking for trouble. Its very popular though -
especially among those keenest to see everyone not like them be more like them
(generally to preserve some tenuously held power position). Its less
challenging to their worldview, a worldview often hopelessly flawed and
incomplete. For mine, homogeneity bores me rigid.
> Freedom without respect and responsibility is meaningless.
Rubbish. Of course its meaningful. Not real handy in the context of a stable
social organisation, but entirely meaningful, and, I'm told, surprisingly
satisfying in the short term. My guess is that you're talking about the
particularly American sense of 'Freedom' which is considerably more complex, not
especially 'free' in the ordinary sense of unrestrained, and generally better
expressed in the context of 'Freedom to....' do something fairly general and
indisputably worthy.
I'm a big fan of respect and responsibility. Its a long bow to suggest that
flashing in this instance is egregiously disrespectful or seriously
irresponsible.
> You obviously don't have kids and are trying to raise them to become decent
> people.
Matter of fact I do, thank you for asking. And I am seriously concerned for
parents who think that this could have injured their children.
> Of course you are an adult and can handle such inanities-- try to think beyond
> your self for answers.
<<chuckles involuntarily>>
<<pauses to cease chuckling>>
'Try to think beyond yourself for answers' is most worthy advice for anyone,
anytime, anywhere. No doubts there.
But the assumption that children cannot handle 'such inanities' is just
inexcusable bollocks. Study after study has shown children are entirely able to
assimilate the significance of media material, generally far better than adults
assume. And I guess, as a personal parenting observation, children need to be
exposed to conflicting ideas (in safe environments) or they develop narrow and
uncomprehending views of the world.
And grow up to harp on about things like decency.
Alright, so now I am being cheeky.
But they do grow up and ask uncomprehendingly why the Arab world so hates the
West, why people would commit acts of terrorism.
Bring on the conflicting views and the harmlessly indecent behaviour! I'll show
you mine if you show me yours ;-)
Richard
Still baldly going...
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