I would tend to agree that the majority isn't clamoring for something different. I think that's in no small part a consequence of how social discussions are shaped by our traditional institutions.
There's a kind of a hierarchy of ideas. Most people dwell in social spheres tied to their churches. Individuals are subject to scrutiny in terms of their behavior, perception, and selection of literature. There's a lively discussion of social issues, but inevitably it's based on a Talmudic extension of the existing platform to modern life.
If any variety of ideas actually occurs, it may proliferate within that community, but it won't jump to another community. Meme propagation occurs through influential leaders and organizations such as Focus on the Family. It would be interesting to track the history and popularization of the "birth control is abortion" meme.
I'm hoping the advent of on-demand television and independent content will allow subversive memes to proliferate across local communities, creating fractures in the conservative line and cultivating a diversity of opinion. I can conceive of a national conversation that transpires simply via people's choice of highly diverse programming, with different social commentators being touchstones for different viewpoints.
Anyways, I realize I'm speaking vaguely and in somewhat absolutist terms, but I just wanted to convey what I hope is a meaningful intuition, and perhaps a source of hope for American society.
There's a kind of a hierarchy of ideas. Most people dwell in social spheres tied to their churches. Individuals are subject to scrutiny in terms of their behavior, perception, and selection of literature. There's a lively discussion of social issues, but inevitably it's based on a Talmudic extension of the existing platform to modern life.
If any variety of ideas actually occurs, it may proliferate within that community, but it won't jump to another community. Meme propagation occurs through influential leaders and organizations such as Focus on the Family. It would be interesting to track the history and popularization of the "birth control is abortion" meme.
I'm hoping the advent of on-demand television and independent content will allow subversive memes to proliferate across local communities, creating fractures in the conservative line and cultivating a diversity of opinion. I can conceive of a national conversation that transpires simply via people's choice of highly diverse programming, with different social commentators being touchstones for different viewpoints.
Anyways, I realize I'm speaking vaguely and in somewhat absolutist terms, but I just wanted to convey what I hope is a meaningful intuition, and perhaps a source of hope for American society.
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