UNSANE AND SAFE

http://unsanesafe.blogspot.com

I stink, you stink, we all stink for Instinct!

Monday, April 09, 2007

The problem with the whole ideological notion of “natural instincts” and the determination to relate on that particular basis is that it leads to people relating to others on the basis of the path of least resistance. After all, how do I tell what my “natural instincts” are? Really, I have to wait to see what I’ma gonna do, and then, once I discover this, I can report back that I did X or Y,which can then be considered as reflecting what is natural for me. That is how the noMonday, April 09, 2007
I stink, you stink, we all stink for Instinct!
The problem with the whole ideological notion of “natural instincts” and the determination to relate on that particular basis is that it leads to people relating to others on the basis of the path of least resistance. After all, how do I tell what my “natural instincts” are? Really, I have to wait to see what I’ma gonna do, and then, once I discover this, I can report back that I did X or Y,which can then be considered as reflecting what is natural for me. That is how the notion of natural instincts works on a basic level in ideological practice. That is the form of rightist ideological thinking — step 1.

Step 2 is to excuse men if their path of least resistance (ie. “natural instincts”) makes them look like unpleasant apes. In this case, conclude that said “natural instincts” have been perverted. If, however, the subject in question is a woman, then whatever makes her look bad (but not whatever makes her look good or proficient) can be put down to her “natural instincts”.

Ah, tis how logic goes when it is without the right premises.
tion of natural instincts works on a basic level in ideological practice. That is the form of rightist ideological thinking — step 1.

Step 2 is to excuse men if their path of least resistance (ie. “natural instincts”) makes them look like unpleasant apes. In this case, conclude that said “natural instincts” have been perverted. If, however, the subject in question is a woman, then whatever makes her look bad (but not whatever makes her look good or proficient) can be put down to her “natural instincts”.

Ah, tis how logic goes when it is without the right premises.

unsane and safe

Welcome to UNSANE AND SAFE!

The case of ‘merely’.

I can well remember the little boys and their ambush of the classroom. Wait until Teacher’s gone to collect your things – your eraser, your ruler, your bits of coloured pencils that you were intent on flinging around the class. Paul was the stealthy one, the brawny ringleader, and I was drawn into the fray. Rob was second in charge. Somehow early accommodation to gender roles meant that the boys were already more robust. “I’m going to get back my stuff. Do you want to come?” Entering the classroom was forbidden during break time. Paul inspired us with confidence, that “Forbidden” had a prefix – “merely” – stuck in front of it. It was interesting looking around in the Teacher’s desk. I would have got my things and run, but Paul was more content to bide his time. Ah! He found a stapler to play with. “Let’s see how this works!” Ah—“Ouch!” he’d impregnated a staple half way through the surface of his thumb. “Let’s gap it.”

Teacher’s scoldings after break were nothing compared to the joy of having conquered forbidden terrain. I will never forget the lesson I learnt that day, the idea of “merely”.