![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
Bessacarr
elok. 17., 2006 | 09:48 pm
I get snobby myself from time to time, as I suppose most people do. Whilst I was at school, the important thing was reverse snobbery. I sneered at the stupid posh kids from west Bessacarr. Being intelligent was also looked down upon. Taking an interest in things like museums or books was a big no. Although I did well at school, there was a sense that I should be ashamed of it in some way. I didn't do anything intellectual in my free time. It took quite a long time to get away from this inverted snobbism. It strikes me now that it was no better than standard snobbish behaviour.
Snobbish behaviour is really very stupid, the more I think about it. So what if people like less intelligent music, or less intelligent TV etc., or vice versa? Isn't it all a matter of personal taste, at the end of the day? Is there actually any sound, objective reason why listening to Radio 4 should be preferable to watching Big Brother? Neither is any more valid.
Snobbish behaviour is really very stupid, the more I think about it. So what if people like less intelligent music, or less intelligent TV etc., or vice versa? Isn't it all a matter of personal taste, at the end of the day? Is there actually any sound, objective reason why listening to Radio 4 should be preferable to watching Big Brother? Neither is any more valid.
Linkki | Jätä vastaus tähän | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them
elok. 6., 2006 | 02:45 pm
I'm not a religious person. The whole only accepting the truth of one set of ideas on the meaning of life thing doesn't appeal to me at all. That said, the ethic of reciprocity, (or "the Golden Rule") seems fundamentally sound to me. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Marvellous, isn't it? Is there any reason not to like it? Note that you can still be a bit of a git under this rule, so long as you have no problem with people being a git back to you.
A lot of people seem to see the world divided along lines which don't make much sense to me. Some people think white people are better than black people, or vice versa. Some think Muslims are better than non-Muslims, or vice versa. Some think the working class are better than the non-working class. Some think sexuality is important, or that nationality matters. I can't really get my head around these ways of thinking. For me, there are pleasant people and there are unpleasant people. Gender, race, religion, class, sexuality - as far as I can tell, none of these things ultimately determines whether you're an alright sort of person, or a not alright sort of person. And that's all I'm bothered about, none of this other stuff. If you think the Golden Rule is a good idea, then, for me, you're probably well on your way to already being a decent cove.
-x-
A lot of people seem to see the world divided along lines which don't make much sense to me. Some people think white people are better than black people, or vice versa. Some think Muslims are better than non-Muslims, or vice versa. Some think the working class are better than the non-working class. Some think sexuality is important, or that nationality matters. I can't really get my head around these ways of thinking. For me, there are pleasant people and there are unpleasant people. Gender, race, religion, class, sexuality - as far as I can tell, none of these things ultimately determines whether you're an alright sort of person, or a not alright sort of person. And that's all I'm bothered about, none of this other stuff. If you think the Golden Rule is a good idea, then, for me, you're probably well on your way to already being a decent cove.
-x-