>How do we reconcile the two, lack of communal/civic sense, and the >overwhelming social conscience? perhaps littering is the rebellion, the outlet. the individual rebelling against the controlling society. 'if society (or "what will they say") will make the biggest decisions of my life for me, e.g. who i can and cannot marry, what should my profession be etc., then i'll use whatever little freedom i am left with, to make the smallest decisions of my life, to get back at society, e.g. where i defecate, or throw my rubbish'. the more i have to conform, the more i'll try and find ways of getting away with what and where i can.
those least likely to be bothered about "what will people say" are most likely to notice and be irritated by littering and lack of civic sense. others don't notice it as, being a subconscious way of releasing pent up frustration, it is unlikely to cause any discomfort... in fact might give some satisfaction (at an equally subconscious level). since historically, even until recently, no one was free from this control... the 'don't care what people say' kind didn't exist. it is just a theory. one more to add to the animal/human divide (ie. different cultures seem to have 'chosen' different areas of behaviour where to deviate the most and the least from animal behaviour). usman
