[MD] Where have all the values gone?

[Arlo J. Bensinger]

[Erin]
There are two Arlos...the rant and rave about B and then when you point that out
he says I want a balance of A and B I don't know why you see that.  Maybe
because you constantly rant and rave about A.

[Arlo]
I'm not sure what dichotomy you feel I was raving about. I know you felt my
original post demeaned in some way "private space" engagement, but I thought my
reply made it clear that I, personally, do not value public or private space
engagement "better".

My point is that historically the cultural values have shifted from one where
public space engagement was a daily norm, and one that was valued and at the
core of daily activity, to one (modern day) that sees the overwhelming majority
of our time spent in private space engagement.

This is, as I said, neither a condemnation of meditation nor a glorification of
being drunk in a bar. But a cultural-historical fact. My "blathering sermon"
was simply some thoughts as to "why" this cultural shift in values has occured,
one in which also underscores the loss of craftsmanship over the past century
as well.

Let me point out again, the totality of engagement of those "moral pilgrims" was
not entirely "public". But, I do believe it was more in balance (public and
private) than today, where "private spaces" have overtaken not only the field
of our activity, but the ideologically-driven language of "private ownership".

Now, lest I have to fend off a "so Arlo is saying all private ownership is bad"
post, I'll say upfront I believe no such thing. But the impetus to villify all
public or community ownership underscores again the "out of kilter" aspect of a
culture with, as Pirsig indicates, no way to regulate.

But, perhaps you can offer some insight as to the cultural shift, either in
public-private space valuation or the de-valuation of craftsmanship. Why do you
feel such changes occured? Do you feel my attribution to mercanitlian language
is correct? Incorrect? Do you care? Is it even important to think about it at
all?

Arlo