Archive for the ‘Introduction’ Category
Happy Families
When moralists and social conservatives claim that the family is the foundation of society, they are obviously correct, in the sense that the alliance of a man and a woman – or some similar combination – to engender and bring up a child is clearly what human beings are programmed to do. Whatever different family […]
In: PARENTAL STATUS TECHNOLOGY, Introduction
The Vicar At Lunch With Napoleon
Some human cultures have a more realistic and honest view of families than others. The nadir is reached with the Hallmarks Cards-type sentimentalisation of what is essentially a contingent alliance strategy subject to the law of buying cheap and selling dear; that is to say, the depths of dishonesty are plumbed with the saccharine assumption […]
In: PARENTAL STATUS TECHNOLOGY, Introduction
The Ambiguities of “Child”
It surprises most people to discover that the word “child” originally meant, not a rugrat like their own progeny, but a young nobleman, and could function as his title. Meditating on this, I find myself wondering whether all languages share the ambiguity of English whereby “child” refers both to the temporary state of being an […]
In: PARENTAL STATUS TECHNOLOGY, Introduction
Make Way! Make Way!
If we are now seeing a revival of Confucian thought, encouraged by the Chinese Communist Party to fill the gap left by the abandonment of communism for corrupt self-enrichment, this is bad news for the rhinos and tigers that would prefer to keep their horns and penises. For the Chinese obsession with longevity, leading to […]
In: PARENTAL STATUS TECHNOLOGY, Introduction
The Spirit-Of-Christmas Racket
A special case of the “peace and harmony of the family” racket is Christmas. The rule of the game is that, when the victims least expect it, the dominant player launches a personal attack. When the victims defend themselves, they are accused of violation of the “Spirit of Christmas”. I have not actually watched any […]
In: PARENTAL STATUS TECHNOLOGY, Introduction
Ad Maiorem Gloriam Sui
Much to my surprise, I find that seaside cutouts are still going strong. By this I mean those painted boards with holes in, through which, for a suitable fee, people stick their heads to be photographed. With the aid of a willing suspension of disbelief – for it is, after all, only a goof – […]
In: PARENTAL STATUS TECHNOLOGY, Introduction
