Coming back to the post of yesterday..... I have been wondering about symbols and words and the things that people live, love, hope and die to create and maintain. A great example is the current day icon of Steve Jobs. How will one who has had his hands on the very growth of the technological age be viewed in years to come? What would change if his legacy, his very name-sake items, become obsolete and trash due to some sort of odd snafu that really has nothing to do with him? Will his image then be one only to bring about negativity?
I think on the beginnings of the Republican party. A party once created in the fight against slavery and seperation, now seems to be one that would consider it again. Would they? Of course not. Their image, though... that is another story. And, similarly, look at how corporations have divided the populous of the country and seem to be creating a life of their own. Religions, what should be a safe haven, are repeatedly being subjected to the baser drives of their leadership.
Where is this all going to lead us in the future? What sort of preperation do we consider?
My post yesterday was not about Nazis. It was not about the atrocities they committed. It was about the symbols they took to show themselves one way and created a whole new definition for that symbol. It was lead by the previous post about how we judge a book by our expectations....and how those very expectations can so easily change over time.
What strikes me lately is that we are in a cultural shift where the news of things from around the world effects our daily lives. Who cheered when learning of M. Quadaffi's death? Who shrugged? But we all knew. How is it that we can know these things? What forms do our minds put upon the information we learn from around the world?
What concerns me is not that we have a world news hour, but that we as a creature have a tendency to lump information into mangeable chunks. Those chunks often have a label on the front, and can be difficult to change. If we are not careful we allow the symbols of media smart people to manipulate our thinking and very important things can be decimated behind the scenes with our seeming support.
5 comments:
Randy,
I think the signs that regulate the traffic, are mostly sensible (although I do not know some).
In my opinion you can dispense with the corporate symbols - they only symbolize the fight for the money of consumers.
If I understand correctly, the remaining two, they also only symbolize power relationships - the religions and the economy.
Nikki
Ah, but see; they symbolize something for you. You see them and they give you information or call up thoughts and attitudes. Those who are adept at using symbology may misuse these simple little things to manipulate you in a direction of travel, thought, or purchasing.
We are social creatures, pack animals of a sort, who naturally lead, follow, and move together. We naturally take direction for the guy in charge...
Be the rebel. Ask Why?
-randy.
Hello Randy. I have wanted to comment on your prior post, but as you have continued the conversation I will post my thoughts here.
Verbal communication is perhaps the best, but by far not perfect communication tool we have. That does make words valuable. However that doesn't make them magic. Words, and yes symbols have only the power we give them.
I believe ( and I am unanimous in this ) that we should try to not cause hurt or harm needlessly with our words. Words can wound as not everyone deny's some words power, or gives more power to some words than others do. That is why in my opinion some groups can use words that pertain to them, yet dislike others to use. However...and this is a biggy....I do not think we need to censor our self and our language when the object is not to harm or vilify, but to inform or educate. For example I don't think the many news organizations should have refused to use the name painted on the rock of Perry's hunting camp as that is what was there. Never would I use any (letter-word) to cause harm or hurt, but I would hate to leave people guessing as to what happened in our history.
I think dearly of Miles, and what he suffered should never be suffered by anyone. But what if we couldn't use the proper words to describe the heinous deeds committed? What if we had to be vague and uniforming to tell Mathew Shepard's story?
Randy you are to be commended. You never shy from the hard stories and you let others speak their piece. I hope my words made some sense today. Hugs
Scottie
Oh and Randy, one other thing. Is it only me that hates to have to guess which is the men's or ladies bathroom facilities anywhere. Some pictures and signs are done in such a way they confuse me. And when a man has to go it is not a good time to be confused.
Here is a good point about symbols not being universal and meaning the same thing. However I have noticed that ladies loo's do tend to be nicer and much prettier....don't ask! LOL
Hugs, Scottie
Thank you, Scottie;
I have a tendency to think aloud. I try out my thoughts and see if they have value....mostly because I sound perfectly logical in my own mind, but once spoken... well, it's nice to hear other's view.
I think that the worst secrets, the greatest lies, and the most damaging thoughts are never spoken, but meant all the same. I think people have become so "politically correct" and what I call 'southern polite' - which usually starts or ends with 'bless his heart'- it has placed us in such a position that not only can we not tell the truth but people don't really want to hear it.
Why should it be expected that campaign promises won't be fulfilled? Why do we say that we don't believe it's Christian to be homosexual, when in fact there is little or nothing on the topic in the Bible that holds any merit...and in fact the very life of Christ was one which countered most such arguments? Why is it that we call the rich "job creators" if they really don't create any worthwhile jobs? I believe it's all to hide the intent of the heart. How does one fight a manipulation of symbols? How does one fight bigotry, facism, defeatism, hate, etc., if the intent of the heart can't be examined for the layers of bs protecting it?
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment....and stay out of the women's room! ;)
hugs and love;
randy.
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