Etiquette a few steps short of fascism? Then all cultures are fascist. Even
within the so-called "laid back" Berkeley culture, there was a set etiquette
to fitting into the "mainstream" there. Type of clothing, hair, even some
could say the style of walk, at one time helped a person to fit in. Then,
once they opened their mouth, there were attitudes that were welcomed, and
others that weren't to the "mainstream Berkeley" group, a definite desire to
hear a more progressive form of thinking.. Though I probably agree with much
of that mainstream of Berkeley, I still see that it was a certain etiquette,
which I sometimes, when visiting there, found myself wanting to rebel
against, as I do when faced with a culture that is very "Valley Girl" (I am
from southern California -- Pasadena originally -- now from Missoula,
Montana -- where the culture is quite different than where I grew up).
If Nicholas Thompson was referring to the normal "Etiquette and
manners" found in books even today, I have to admit, to some degree I agree
with him, in that the concepts are so binding, and do not allow a vast
amount of cultural habits, which tends to change a society by the cookie
cutter approach.
Furthermore, on the items that fall under fascism's characteristics or
distinctions that were mentioned, and I will list them here as they were
listed:
: 1. cult of tradition -- not necessarily, though I see what you are
getting at. Traditions marks a culture -- cookie baking at Christmas,
caroling, the types of candles one uses, whether you eat certain foods, do
you have your main meal at lunch or dinner time -- these are not fascist.
2. luddism/irrationalism -- the desire to keep or change back to ways used
long ago just because they were "best" can be irrational, but the desire to
reduce energy because oil is running out and global warming needs to be
addressed, can result in the same end result.
3. action for action's sake -- not really a fascist characteristic, just
thoughtless.
4. anti-critical -- agree
5. fear of dissension -- agree
6. appeal to the frustrated middle -- agree
7. pervasive belief in conspiracy -- depends on what has happened to you,
not necessarily fascist.
8. the myopic underdog -- come on.
9. life is warfare -- agree
10. contempt for underlings -- agree
11. herophilia or glorification of martyrdom -- partiallly agree
12. conflation of the biological with the social -- disagree. The two
conflate (?) in many ways.
13. abstracted (ideal, not real) body politic --- need ideals to move real.
14. newspeak -- to a degree I agree.
Have a great day!
Peggy Miller
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