"Roles" of society

[EscapeArtist]

I don't know why I made this thread. I went to see a career.. youth... person, and to talk about a program that I wanted to get into today with him. Well, he was, as my youth worker put it, not "youth friendly", and I couldn't pinpoint what it was about him that made me soooooooooo anxious.

I guess it can be put down to this: people separating theirselves into roles of society. A strict and unfriendly "I am a worker" no emotions, evaluation type of attitude that they have to put on... What is with that? Why is that important? Does that not encourage people to begin to lose sight of themselves as a whole, open human being? Why can't people just be people, openly human? Why do we have to screen out what we do and do not want to say? And doesn't this make it RIGHT that we are suspicious of other's motives?

I for one am a very honest person and I believe that if we are all honest, human kindness and a will to help will send each of us in the right direction... So I am very open now, as opposed to being completely closed off. (Going from one extreme to another is easy, and usually means you are both, I find) So really, what is the need for this wall that THEY put up? Is the problem really this wall of a rigid "roles" and separation between other people rather than OUR walls? Maybe we put our walls up because we only want to show ourselves as a whole, real and honest human being, and it is not accepted. Talk, share,

 

[coyote]

the whole of "society" is an artificial construct

human beings - Homo sapiens - is just one more species of animal

part of the natural order - part of the universal oneness that includes all other beings

and yet we constantly seek to differentiate ourselves from one another and from the rest of the universe

to what purpose?

to feel superior? - yet then we have to raise defenses lest our superiority be challenged

to feel unique? - yet then we have to constantly re-assert our individuality at every turn

what's the point of creating these stresses and challenges for ourselves when it's not necessary?

when we can just let go of all pretense and be part of the whole?

 

[Confuseddd]

the whole of "society" is an artificial construct

human beings - Homo sapiens - is just one more species of animal

part of the natural order - part of the universal oneness that includes all other beings

and yet we constantly seek to differentiate ourselves from one another and from the rest of the universe

to what purpose?

to feel superior? - yet then we have to raise defenses lest our superiority be challenged

to feel unique? - yet then we have to constantly re-assert our individuality at every turn

what's the point of creating these stresses and challenges for ourselves when it's not necessary?

when we can just let go of all pretense and be part of the whole?

wonderfully said coyote! I also believe our conciousness that we as humans have creates as much good as it does negative I.E constantly creating those artificial differences
Like boston says: I understand about indecision but I dont care if I get behind people livin in competition all I want is to have my peace of mind.

 

[danstelter]

After working at various jobs over the years, I have found that some organizations have more people with that "worker" type of attitude than others. In one organization with 20 staff in the same position, you might find 12 with the "worker" attitude, 4-5 who don't care, 1 who doesn't know what they are doing, and 2 or so who are honest, genuine, and open people looking to communicate and work with you. Sometimes, I've found complete organizations filled with people with impersonal/crap attitudes towards others - it's just the way that the world works I guess. For what it's worth, finding honest/genuine/open people is tricky, and it seems they are a minority. But, they do exist, and life becomes easier if you find and keep them in your life.

 

[Richey]

People who take their jobs that seriously where they lose a sense of fun and come across as really fake, especially (some) sales people but just in general don't understand that it's better to be natural. When they start to use business speak in technicalities it's really intimidating and skims around getting to the point.

Societies role should be to be yourself, don't conform to what others are expecting of you and inform them that you are unimpressed with their behaviours of trying to dictate how you behave, you'll find this sort of behaviour in workplaces, it's mostly odd and i would advise to ignore it completely, only interact with people who are natural and not those who have some business sales or ego maniac agenda

 

[Cynic]

the whole of "society" is an artificial construct

human beings - Homo sapiens - is just one more species of animal

Correct.

part of the natural order - part of the universal oneness that includes all other beings

and yet we constantly seek to differentiate ourselves from one another and from the rest of the universe

to what purpose?

to feel superior? - yet then we have to raise defenses lest our superiority be challenged

to feel unique? - yet then we have to constantly re-assert our individuality at every turn

what's the point of creating these stresses and challenges for ourselves when it's not necessary?

when we can just let go of all pretense and be part of the whole?

Because our overlords in business/politics/religion can keep us divided and keep us under their thumbs. That's what it boils down to at the end of the day.

 

[MsBuzzkillington]

the whole of "society" is an artificial construct

human beings - Homo sapiens - is just one more species of animal

part of the natural order - part of the universal oneness that includes all other beings

and yet we constantly seek to differentiate ourselves from one another and from the rest of the universe

to what purpose?

to feel superior? - yet then we have to raise defenses lest our superiority be challenged

to feel unique? - yet then we have to constantly re-assert our individuality at every turn

what's the point of creating these stresses and challenges for ourselves when it's not necessary?

when we can just let go of all pretense and be part of the whole?

I have to say that I kind of disagree with this. Whether or not it's an artificial construct, roles in society still exist. A separation of classes still exists.

Things have been this way for thousands of years. It happened when we started specializing in skills, instead of just sharing knowledge with the group. It happened when we settled down and started farming. It's how we function. There are different roles in different species too. Like alpha males in canines.

 

[coyote]

yes they do exist

but should they?

do they need to?

do we need to follow them?

 

[MsBuzzkillington]

I hope this isn't getting off topic of the original post, but I think they kind of "need to exist'. I wish there was a way we could all function together and treat each other like equals, but there are just way too many people with way too many thoughts and opinions and ideas for that to ever happen.

I don't think you need to follow social norms. I mean there are enough differences out there that you can find a place where you fit in. But sometimes the way you think and feel and act is different from the "main" society.

I don't think differences should exist and I wish that everyone could be treated equally. I just don't think it's possible to be that way anymore.

 

[Dronee]

yes they do exist

but should they?

do they need to?

do we need to follow them?

Ideally, they shouldn't exist. I can't put it in words well, but it's like a silly little game. It's petty, stupid and cruel and unfortunately, those playing it will often benefit at the cost of those who don't... or at least that's the perception of some I think.

 

[Felgen]

The "roles of society" are an unfortunate side effect of the world we live in. In my honest opinion, reducing collectivism and increasing individualism may gradually erase these roles. On the other hand, a complete anarchy will be like the computer game Gothic.

 

[EscapeArtist]

Hmm well said/thought everybody. I agree, Felgen, it does seem to be a side effect.
And yes, the mass-population does infact require us to create a distanced and controllable feel of a system...
I don't think that's any reason for people to divide themselves. I don't see how treating everybody like friend or family would hurt, or damage, mass society.
And yes perhaps this did begin when we began to farm.. That is when mankind began to spiral out of control in my opinion. But, even in the small old farming communities, there was a sense of family throughout the entire community. That was not lost until recently.
I'm not talking so much about physical roles, but rather mental roles. The attitude that is acquired, as coyote said, that false superiority.
Needing to feel superior comes from feeling inferior when you are at the bottom of the chain and you're getting shut out by those who think they are more superior
It's a huge cycle