[MD] sq social - sq intellectual

[pholden at davtv.com]

Quoting Gene M <boredandunstable at gmail.com>:

> Sure! I've put a lot of thought into the idea that all culture is driven to
> grow by it's counter-cultures. Succesful counter-cultures, like the hippie
> movement, punks, nerds. All these are groups that chose to split from
> Society, but eventually became so popular that Society re-integrated them.
> For example, the disney channel is currently in the midst of their
> "Psychedelic Summer" as the dubbed it. A true affront to the hippie
> movement, but just a perfect example of the greater whole absorbing
> succesful counter-cultures.
> 
> It's sort a societal survival tactic. Let DQ influence small groups of
> people, and if they succeed well enough, pull them back in and absorb what
> they've learned outside the mainstream. It's a fascinating process, and in
> extreme evidence over the past 100 years.
> 
> Even this internet we use to communicate started off as mostly
> counter-culturalists, the socially awkward, unable to deal with the people
> around them, all got online and found each other. Eventually everyone else
> noticed what a good time they were having and showed up. Now the internet is
> ubiquituous to the mainstream.
> 
> Another example is how societies react to new technology and ideas. New
> things are coming up all the time these days, piracy is on the rise,
> abortion and gay marriage are hot button topics, all these new ideas and
> ways of doing things are being shoved into Society's face, and it is forced
> to adapt to them. There's no Real precedent for online crime, so they have
> to start making things up.
> 
> These are all examples of DQ a'knocking on societie's door.
> 
> Anytime you are faced with something that cannot be solved satisfactorily
> with precedent, then you need to adapt. And that is DQ in my mind.

Thanks for the examples, Gene. Would you say radical Islamists are counter-
cultural and an example of "DQ a'knocking on society's door?" In other words,
do you consider all challenges to the status quo to be desirable? If not, how
would you suggest we tell the difference. Thanks.

Platt


  

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