Youth of Today or Truth of Today (The Bandicoot — Leaner and Nosier than the Ferret)
Hi folks — still with me? In my first blog I broached the subject of Critical Thinking, and I thought maybe to continue with this stream of ideas. The world has recently witnessed the phenomena of the young and courageous Greta Thunberg. I think nobody challenges her sincerity, and I am probably sticking my head into a hornet’s nest, when I go one with this. But here goes… It is a truism that the young are more altruistic, seeking pure answers, before growing more cynical with age. Hey, I went out onto the streets, ban the bomb etc. anti-war in Vietnam. We were so sure we were right.
Looked at from the other side, however, from the viewpoint of having lived, and experienced much, it may seem that the young tend to be more judgemental, more prone to extreme opinions, often without a full awareness of the real dimensions of the problem. It worries me that there seems to be a world-wide movement to mobilize, politicize, school children in the environmental cause. When I cast back to similar attempts to marshal youth in a cause, no matter how laudable, I have to consider the Hitler Jugend movement, the Soviet era Komsomolets, whereby the youth of the Soviet Union were fed a continuous diet of party propaganda. As for North Korea…
And the medieval so-called Children’s Crusade? Told that only they, the pure of heart, could rescue the Holy land from the Infidel, many thousands of children from all over Europe marched off singing, banners high. None reached their destination — Jerusalem. Most died along the way of thirst, hunger, attacks by enraged peasants from whom the children were forced to steal. Those who survived this, went into slavery. My take on all this, has become a bit of a cautionary mantra for me: beware the unforeseen consequences
Recently, to solve their own refugee crisis, the Turkish government has unleashed a wave of mostly young migrants from all over, urging them to force entry into neighbouring Greece, on their way to the European heartland. Yes, there are many stories of heartbreak, starvation and death amongst these stateless, homeless people. But consider this: Greece is a poor country, teetering always on national bankruptcy. They already have many thousands of refugee/migrants, and cannot really feed and house them. It is the right of every country to defend their homeland, their very existence. Before long, the Greek army will be forced to fire upon them, these desperate people, to great condemnation. It is all very well for us in more fortunate situations to demand ‘something must be done’.
The UN in their collective wisdom, has decided that anyone wishing to do so, may claim refugee status. The unforeseen consequence of this well-meant decision, means the world is awash with people seeking a better life for themselves. The second unforeseen consequence is that genuine refugees, persecuted, in fear of their lives, have to contend for a place amidst this flood of economic migrants.
It occurs to me, is that this cringe-making term ‘political correctness’ is perhaps the opposite to critical thinking. In fact old bandicoots like me used the three wise monkey aphorism. Originally a Japanese maxim, embodying the proverbial Confucian principle “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”.
The three monkeys are Mizaru, covering his eyes, who sees no evil; Kikazaru, covering his ears, who hears no evil; and Iwazaru, covering his mouth, who speaks no evil. There is a fourth rather obscure monkey, always depicted hiding his genitals… Yeah, okay, not essential detail, just showing off my much-vaunted research capability.
In a western context, the meaning of these ‘wise monkeys’ is somewhat changed — it is a criticism, aimed at those who refuse, or at least turn away from, things they know to be untrue, and should really challenge.
Recently I was in New Zealand, and during a conversation with a friend who was a University lecturer, the subject of past Maori cannibalistic practices came up — yeah okay, I might have mentioned it — and whereupon I was rebuked by my academic friend for ‘distorting history’. This academic was not a Maori. Now, Over the years I have known quite a few Maoris here in Australia. None of these were ashamed of the old practices, in fact many were gleeful about it — the Maori have a robust Falstaffian sense of humor — in fact when I once mentioned the fate of the original occupants of New Zealand, the so-called Moriori, I was told ‘We ate them all’. Whether true or not, there are indeed none of the Moriori left. But this non-Maori academic was obviously embarrassed by the mention of cannibalism, and didn’t wish to hear of it. Political correctness, yes, — but the truth?
Now yes of course we do have certain subjects, certain loaded words, about which we do not brunt about lightly, if at all. For example the word nigger is rightly very badly thought of, it can be offensive and demeaning. And yet — it is apparently acceptable for Afro-Americans to address each other as ‘nigger’.
The same can be said of Holocaust jokes. For most of us strictly taboo. The only ones I have ever heard were told by Jews.
So I guess it is all a matter of context — many men will repeat a locker room joke, okay with the guys, but hey, not the women. Told to men, probably very funny, but told to women it can have a subtle (or maybe not so subtle) put-down effect for almost all women.
So it’s about context; it’s also about tact, isn’t it? Despite these inhibitions, do we allow ourselves to play the three wise monkeys? It seems to me we do have an obligation to stand by the truth. The kicker is, are we sure it is the truth? This is the vital part that Critical Thinking should play in our individual decision making. My take on that fourth monkey? Don’t fuck up.
Okay, I rest my case. I’m going to have a beer now.
John Worth
Quote for the day:
‘Beware of advice — even this’
Carl Sandberg
