Great article. I'm just wondering if there's a better term than "bourgeoisie" to describe these people that use social approval rather than independent thinking to make decisions and function. I get the use of the term and it makes sense in the context of this article, but to bring it out into a larger context of general phenomenon, it's…
Great article. I'm just wondering if there's a better term than "bourgeoisie" to describe these people that use social approval rather than independent thinking to make decisions and function. I get the use of the term and it makes sense in the context of this article, but to bring it out into a larger context of general phenomenon, it's a bit too historical and wrapped up in Marxist references. It also excludes the many masses that toe the line there as well. I can't think of a great term but it would be really helpful to have one as this is such a critical idea and really boils down the situation and problem to its essence. It's funny because the social conformists have their term "anti-vaxxer" that they use, and it's effective because they've all conformed around it and gotten the mass media on board to the point that it's created such stigma that people literally fear it, even many independent thinkers. But independent thinkers don't do this kind of "mass formation" naturally, so we're in a weaker position rhetorically on this front. We need to borrow this one effective strategy as a rhetorical tool to try to gain some ground in the argument. Is it sinking to their level of name-calling? Maybe a bit. But the strategy has been effective when enough people get on board so the epithet has real sting. "Social conformist" is probably too literal/intellectual.
Great article. I'm just wondering if there's a better term than "bourgeoisie" to describe these people that use social approval rather than independent thinking to make decisions and function. I get the use of the term and it makes sense in the context of this article, but to bring it out into a larger context of general phenomenon, it's a bit too historical and wrapped up in Marxist references. It also excludes the many masses that toe the line there as well. I can't think of a great term but it would be really helpful to have one as this is such a critical idea and really boils down the situation and problem to its essence. It's funny because the social conformists have their term "anti-vaxxer" that they use, and it's effective because they've all conformed around it and gotten the mass media on board to the point that it's created such stigma that people literally fear it, even many independent thinkers. But independent thinkers don't do this kind of "mass formation" naturally, so we're in a weaker position rhetorically on this front. We need to borrow this one effective strategy as a rhetorical tool to try to gain some ground in the argument. Is it sinking to their level of name-calling? Maybe a bit. But the strategy has been effective when enough people get on board so the epithet has real sting. "Social conformist" is probably too literal/intellectual.