This Blog Sits at the: Democrats, once more (again) with (the) feeling (already) - The Diigo Meta page

• 08 Jun 08
  

  Jeremy Price

  emotions affect culture politics anthropology

  • In our culture at the present moment, claims to emotion are proof of good intentions, and a certain purity of motive.  We are more trustworthy when in the throes of an emotional event.  Speaking from the heart is a good thing.  And when we say we are "deeply saddened," dude, we are so deeply trustworthy that a political party would be entirely wrong not to embrace what we have to say.
  • Empathy as the by-word for authenticity.  Indeed.  Who do we want for President?  The person who can feel our pain.  In our culture, in this moment, emotion is the gold standard of public discourse.  Because, apparently, our emotions do not lie.
  • in the Victorian case, that the rules of the market place apply outside the home, but that the home itself will be shaped by a different set of impulses, social rules and cultural concepts.  Commerce outside.  Emotion inside.  These were seen to be mutually exclusive.  And we defend this distinction still.
  • Having made this distinction between the economic and the emotional, we are vexed when the distinction is blurred.

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