...very nice Jim, this is going in my archives for sure.
-psypher
> UTism:
> A Geneticly Based Level 2 Xenophobic
> Memeplex
>
> Originally, in humankind's evolution, xenophobia was a winning
> survival strategy. Encoded in our genetic make-up, xenophobia
> probably uses the same neural pathways as those for facial
> recognition, which bonded parents with children and cemented small
> tribal communities together.
>
> UTism as xenophobia was useful in that territory, mates, children,
> and the natural resources of the community had an innate and nearly
> instantaneous protection against a poosible threat, the "different
> face". This face could well mean the death of the community.
>
> For thousands of generations this has served the tribal communities
> of this planet in a beneficial manner. But as the population has
> risen and civilization has evolved, people of different ethnic and
> religious heritages have clashed with results that exceed the
> original survival advantage of xenophobia. So, at the same time as
> cultures were evolving, we have witnessed an evolution of UTism to
> fit the culture.
>
> UTism is seen mostly within ethnic and religious based territorial
> conflicts. Family taboos against marrying outside of your race or
> religion are UTisms on a community level. Socioeconomic levels also
> have their unspoken UTisms. It is found within the political,
> scientific and religious debates within a stable community. People
> have a propensity to divide according to differences instead of
> uniting based upon similarities.
>
> Modern day UTism has found its place in our technological society.
> UTism seems to use every avenue possble to spread its memeplexes. It
> would seem that the press, the pundits and the politicians have
> enhanced and exacerbated UTism through every sort of information
> medium available. By way of intense scrutiny and criticism, through
> naive and blind praise and worship; with demagogery and damnation
> they have partitioned our leaders and ourselves according to their
> own divisive doctrines of UTism.
>
> Every cause or set of beliefs has leaders. These leaders are
> portrayed in such a fashion as to distorted and caricature all the
> groups and individuals associated with the cause. Not only are
> intimate followers of a cause caricatured, but some groups only
> remotely related are also. But it all boils down to a xenophobic
> foundation of an US against THEM platform. Everyone is neatly
> compartmentalized into this absolutist perception presented by the
> experts and the leaders. Everyone is pidgeonholed. Anyone pragmatic
> is considered lukewarm and has no spine.
>
> Are all christians fundies?
> Are all feminists radical?
> Are all Republicans gun-loco and pro-life?
> Are all Muslims radical Islamics?
> Are all Democrats socialists?
> Are all Protestants like Bob Barr?
> Are all Environmentalists chicken-littles?
> Are all prisoners dangerous and immoral?
> On and on it can go with UTist generalizations.
>
> In the present day environs of modern democracies, political and
> social discourses boldly insinuate UTism into the issues at hand.
> This is always put forth in terms of expedient and compulsory
demands
> for decisive actions made in terms of FOR or AGAINST. Every issue
> has the voice of chicken-little and the need for a rush to
> judgement. Pragmatism and practicality are not given a voice because
> they dont fit into the scheme of OPPOSITES. A very good example is
> the CNN show, "Crossfire" which seems to speak for two small
> minorities in the more extreme wings of politics and society.
>
> There is a thriving business in self-replicating polarizations and
> positional absolutism in both social and political war zones. No
> leader dares budge for fear of losing the power in the magnetism
> associated with the polarization. Or for fear of losing votes if one
> does not adhere to the unequivocal clarity of the absolutist
> position. Citizens can then cling easily to these simplistic UTist
> polarizations and satisfy the need to belong to an ideological US
> opposing THEM.
>
> The oversimplification and generalizations of UTism that once
> protected a community have now become a primary danger to the
overall
> stabilty and prosperity of society. We must realize this and reject
> it.
>
> ****************************************************
> Well, fellow virians, what do you think?
> ....................jim