Factors Part 4

4. On Socialization:
Every culture and society prioritized and promotes behavior patterns deemed acceptable, thereby promoting a level of unity in deed, if not thought. Morality represents a tool to those ends. Those things regarded undesirable are considered immoral, and discouraged by varied means. Western ideals concerning love and romance are an example. Other cultures would view these as strange or even immoral. Arranged marriages are still the rule in some regions of the world. The barriers may be malleable, but the extreme will almost always invite condemnation. "Living in sin" might be an outdated concept, but marital betrayal is still regarded unacceptable. Penalties may change, but standards erode slower. Adultery might not be punishable by the stocks, but few approve. One failing might be ridiculed, where elsewhere they would be praised for the exact same behavior. Moral absolutes exist only for the nearsighted. One might be best advised to concentrate on true priorities. All else is decadence. Fulfillment comes from within, despite advertisements to the contrary.
This society smothers much individual potential under an overwhelming mass of ideals. Love is not the pinnacle of existence. Our history proves it. The capacity is simply beaten out of human beings. Else men would not fight wars, and women would not be consumed by the trivial. Hatred is a Que. Love has been extroverted and cheapened by narcissistic absorption. Impossible expectations destroy much, and limit the remainder. Unrealism could be the true cause of much considered immoral by the herd. High intensity can usually not be maintained, rather a natural waning towards maturity. The perfect state does not exist even though many expect it. Paradoxically, social pressures cause many to accept even less. Hence, misery is preserved. The sublime is ignored and obscured by non-issues. Life is lost in this process. Suppression and repression are both cheats. Those crappy products should remain unsold. Decadence has some advantages. Ostracism is no longer a concern for those who reject, but most will never even realize the advantage.
If personal lives cannot even be maintained with any equilibrium, the rest will soon follow (although differently).

1995 - 1997