From: Robert Owen (rowen@technologist.com)
Date: Fri Dec 31 1999 - 12:24:36 MST
Replicant00@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 12/30/1999 11:21:17 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> rowen@technologist.com writes:
>
> << You see, what I DO realize is that impersonation of a
> generic social role of any kind calls for a decision rather
> than a passive resignation. And I have decided not to
> engage in role-playing as a means of social interaction. >>
>
> You mean you try not play the roles unconsciously. You certainly are expected
> to play certain ones. You certainly are percieved as having one, if not
> several.
>
> Do you not want to be a man? And what does "being a man" mean to us?
> We are always playing roles:
> Father, teacher, good provider, gentleman, professional, punctual,
> intellectual, strong, polite, hard working, etc, etc,
For many, the world is a stage, and they are merely players. But
I subscribe neither to the view that social behavior is necessarily
theatrical, nor the view that human life is a performing art.
I do mean that I do not engage in role-playing as a means of social
interaction; but in my opinion you confuse role-playing with ethics,
customs, manners and conventions. If this very real difference is
observed, then I can also say I DO engage in ethics, customs,
manners and conventions as a means of social interaction.
To the extent that others to IDENTIFY me, i.e. decide who I am, by
using socially-provided generic role-concepts, vocational stereotypes,
personality models or gender icons they simply confuse me with
something else. Whenever appropriate, I earnestly strive to help them
correct their misunderstanding.
Happy New Year,
Bob
=======================
Robert M. Owen
Director
The Orion Institute
57 W. Morgan Street
Brevard, NC 28712-3659 USA
=======================
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