Monkeys with Mobiles
This morning - being a sunday when one can enjoy the leisure of a longer than usual breakfast - Mr Vett and I were discussing the place of chivalry in modern society and whether or not it was an out-dated notion.
Now I must warn you that Mr Vett is in posession of an extroadinary intellect and many of his observations on society are closer to the truth than anyone would dare to admit.
Society and ethics, he concluded, are the most fragile of notions when you think about it. In the end, according to Mr Vett, the human brain is not at all different to that of an animal: there are three basic thoughts that occur on a regular basis, upon which (either directly or indirectly) all other thoughts are derrived. In order of importance (again I cannot claim authorship of these thoughts, but concur with the majority of Mr Vett's argument) the three thoughts deal with Eating, Avoiding being eaten and Procreation for the furthering of the species.
When the author of this Blog becomes disenchanted by the world at large (which happens in rolling phases, for a few weeks a year) then I become more inclined to believe that this very simple notion is true. As Mr Vett so succinctly put it, "We are all just Monkeys with Mobile Phones." Perhaps there really is no point in behaving in a chivalrous manner, as in the end such behaviour simply means I die sooner. Hmmm, not a nice idea from any perspective.
Anyway, I leave the thought with you - whoever you happen to be, maybe no one reads this anymore. Worry not, I am beyond worry for the moment. The future just happens, whether you are ready or not, delaying the inevitable is just a waste of effort.
May the rest of you live long and squeeze plenty of chickens.
posted by Beleobus @ 10:12 AM
9 Comments:
Just a small anthropological correction: we are all just APES with mobiles, monkeys are a whole different thing. As for the rest of your post, that's pretty much the way it is. We are indeed animals. People enjoy thinking that we are not, that we are mostly social, cultural, nurtured. We are for an amazing extent biological. As for ethics, well, that comes and goes. It has now been established that:
- some animals have culture (in the real Anthr. sense)
- some animals have a measurable sense of humour
- some animals enjoy painting and develop distinctive styles
- some animals learn to speak - sign language and actual speech - and compose new words and fully understand what they are doing, plus they pass it on
- some animals actively educate their young
- some animals (primates) form groups that raid other groups and kill them for no apparent reason other than they wanted to
My best friend and I reached the conclusion long ago that we'd be the first to die in case of catastrophe. "Oh, you have children? Take all of my water, here, have my kidney". So what? Manners are no small thing. If people give you grief over it, their loss. Politely keep holding the door for them and then tell them to sod off.
PS- Of course no one reads our blogs, why should they? There are so many of us out in the ether, how could everyone find everyone else? :D
Chivalry and honour, interesting concepts in this day and age where we are expected to stand on our own two feet, be so self-sufficient that we barely achnowledge each others existance, let alone do nice things for each other. I, for one, appreciate the door being held open for me, though I also find it strange when others are uncomfortable when I hold the door open for them.But this rant should be best placed elsewhere as the chicken is honourable? and need not here it from me. Beside, the alarm just went for a call to arms.
So the Rubber Chicken is discussing chivalry again...
A thought crossed my mind regarding chivalry and opening doors, while watching Fraiser (of all things). Fraiser's brother, Niles, was opening the door to random attractive (well, of course they were) women and not receiving any "sugar" for his efforts. This formed the thought (by way of a question):
Who do we (men) behave in a chivalrous manner for?
I bracketed men as I do believe it is difficult, by way of definition, for women to behave with chivalry (of course, it is not impossible - just hard, as a woman cannot be knighted, and chivalry is about courteous behaviour directed towards women, therefore assuming from men).
But who do we do it for?
Personally, I do it for myself. I do not open a door for a women so that I can receive a thank-you or reward. I do it because my flawed and somewhat ridiculous sense of right compells me to. I feel as if I have done the right thing, aided my fellow human, assisted my contemporary, opened the door (what a lovely metaphor), you might say.
And of course, you get a much better view of the woman's butt from behind, when they walk through the door first... I"M KIDDING!!!!
gobble, gobble
The Baked Turkey
So the Rubber Chicken is discussing chivalry again...
A thought crossed my mind regarding chivalry and opening doors, while watching Fraiser (of all things). Fraiser's brother, Niles, was opening the door to random attractive (well, of course they were) women and not receiving any "sugar" for his efforts. This formed the thought (by way of a question):
Who do we (men) behave in a chivalrous manner for?
I bracketed men as I do believe it is difficult, by way of definition, for women to behave with chivalry (of course, it is not impossible - just hard, as a woman cannot be knighted, and chivalry is about courteous behaviour directed towards women, therefore assuming from men).
But who do we do it for?
Personally, I do it for myself. I do not open a door for a women so that I can receive a thank-you or reward. I do it because my flawed and somewhat ridiculous sense of right compells me to. I feel as if I have done the right thing, aided my fellow human, assisted my contemporary, opened the door (what a lovely metaphor), you might say.
And of course, you get a much better view of the woman's ass from behind, when they walk through the door first... I"M KIDDING!!!!
gobble, gobble
The Baked Turkey
Baked Turkey (do I feel silly writing this name):
Why is it flawed and ridiculous to open the door for someone? Why is it flawed and ridiculous to be considerate to people in general? (I'm assuming you open doors for older men as well even though their asses are male and a bit saggy) Women in Frasier belong to that funny breed called "feminists". They are confused. They are patronising (resemantising social customs on one’s own is a bit too arrogant). They fear their identities will be sucked out into the vortex of kindness - then whom could they abuse? If a woman snarls at you because you hold the door, this is what I think you should do: 1) smile engagingly and then trip her 1.1) If you’re lucky, you now get to see her horizontal ass and maybe some knickers 2) run like hell - those are women you should be scared of (imagine following dialogue: “You’re so pretty.” “Who are you calling pretty, you swine? Get lost or I’ll call the police!”) I’m raving again. I’ll stop. You stop being lazy and go write some posts of your own. Your blog is EMPTY!
Beleobus, I am glad you came across my Timorese smiles, and mighty glad you protested your government. You'll be pleased to know I have an earlier post that tells the story of East Timor from the time we dumped them (you may have a problem reading it, remember, it's in English. ;D) - and it was found by an American girl who is now willing to spread the word. So blogs can accomplish something after all when you least expect it.
Tried the trip technique... Didn't like it.
The thing that does bother me re: Chivalry (and organised Christian religion, for that matter) is that there seems to be an assumption that it deserves a reward at the end.
Perhaps we should view Chivalry from a more Buddhist perspective.
The Dalai Lama once said (regarding Buddhism, but I don't think he will mind if I paraphrase here): "I will not propose that my way is best. the decision is up to you. If you find some point which may be suitable for you, then you can carry out experiments for yourself."
If you feel that "opening the door" is the right thing - do it. But if you do it with a reward in mind, remember, you may return for your next life as a worm. Hey, no doors that way...
Hey there my distant colleague (baked turkey that is...) I am well pleased that yourself and the Lioness have finally made each-others acquaintence. It is incredibly amusing to see how well you take to eachother. BTW, dear Lioness, the baked turkey is in posession of a sense of humour not too far removed from Blackadder or the Goon Show. Thus, his jokes may often be interpreted as serious commentary, although I belive (and I'm sticking up for you here mate... ) that the true value of such comments may only be found in their comic value. Hence his desire to read any book with the prefix 'comic'. But that is enough from me.
Truly having nothing better to do this fine a.am. I find myself reading the previous posts by Lioness, The Baked Turkey, Lilybee, and the now famous Belebous. This of course brings a smile to my face and many questions that trouble me, and which therefore demand a valid, yet succinct answer.
Chivalry is a state of being. Furthermore, an honourable state of being. And, if this is so, how can it possibly be honourable to trip over a woman (feminist, beautiful, nice butt, or just 'goddamn ugly')- for the sole purpose of viewing her undergarments, or for the merest glimpse of some flesh. Chivalry, is in fact, the INCLINATION to help others, whether it be aultruistic or self-motivated, and is not simply a matter of opening a door for a lady (though I must admit to having the most sincere admiration for men who would do this 'as a matter of course').
On the other hand, your discussion and illuminations on the 'social' and 'ethics' was surely the most inspiring and unashamedly most profound aspect of your communications....
In speaking for myself, we are neither ape nor monkey 'with mobile phone'. We are simply human, and have been this way for nay over thousands of years. Do not think that you are first to ponder such abstractions. Do you not know of Hobbes, of Foucault, of Kuhn, and of those 'learned people' who have deliberated questions such as your own?
I fear, that in life, there are those of us who spend too much time seeking the answers for which we cannot possibly know. On the other hand, there are those of us who seek to 'live' life too much, and who would never bother to question why...
Ah... the thrill of the unknown, the loathing of certainty... This I know.
Greetings Addict, Lilybee... I wonder if either of you have yet worked out the identity of the other. Here's a clue: WE WORK TOGETHER.
I will not spoil the potential surprise for either of you - I have enjoyed the conversations between other people on this blog far too much. Those between the Lioness and the Baked Turkey especially. Which leads me to question where that Turkey has been lately...
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