Cowardice of Culture for Collusive Consensus — 8
From the outset, it is valuable to establish the classical school of criminology as the essential cornerstone of this philosophical basis. Additionally, within that framework is the necessity to distinguish between science and pseudoscience. But the rhetorical supposition further insists upon the essence of what is offered as practitioner versus non-practitioner regarding the “hallowed halls’ of academia. As to the classical school of criminological metaphysics, the basic tenets revolve around the advocacy of free will for intentional lifestyle choices. No excuses, no mitigations, and no blaming others or anything for maladaptive behavior are within this spectrum. People make their selectivity as to antisocial behaviors on a “cost-benefit” analysis. Furthermore, science relates to the natural world. It is the necessity of the scientific method to assure a reasonable believability as to scientific authenticity. Of various schools of inquiry, scientific investigation includes such fields as astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics, and quantum mechanics.
By contrast, there are pseudosciences, such as criminology, psychology, sociology, and theology. These are metaphysical endeavors speculating upon a range of behavioral explorations. There is no dishonor in allowing this descriptor for such philosophical adventures. However, because of egoistic self-serving needs, the pretext of allegedly applying “scientific methodology, those attempting to justify and otherwise rationalize themselves, want to be considered “scientists”. Immaturity, lack of self-evolving transformation, and wiser perspectives, devolve to perpetuation of redundant speciousness. Sometimes referred to as the “social studies arena”, the realms of the pseudosciences invites complicity with a broad diversity of “schools of thought”. Occultic fascinations, paranormal phenomena, parapsychology, UFO research, and so on mention a few of the other areas within the variety of pseudoscientific explorations.
As to the practitioner in dissimilarity to the non-practitioner, the former is one who has experienced the real world over a period of time. As to the latter, well, this one has seldom ventured far from the safe sanctuary of academia. Not in all cases, but primarily about the campus boundaries of secure mediocrity and reassuring banality, the non-practitioner remains insulated within a narrowly defined domain. As related to criminological escapades, the practitioner experienced the pleasurable and painful necessities of engaging in the harsh realities of human behavior. Here, this is in reference to military and law enforcement veterans, with well-rounded experiential engagement in dealing with mysterious encounters.
At the very root is the practicality of worldly interactivity whereby a special kind of knowledge transposes a psychophysical dynamic of special insight. Not only that, but also a confrontational contrast to the non-practitioner. After all, the efficacy of conjecture rises and sets upon unique frames of reference, as opposed to endless ill-informed “peer review” and regurgitation of anecdotal citations. Well-seasoned, experienced, and productive self-evolution goes beyond the simplistic thinking of the textbook. As for the barren lesson plan and the stale, regurgitated lecture from endless PowerPoint slides, it is amplified by the veteran’s eccentric mindset. For him or her, an experiential framework, the dynamics for creativity are potentially profound. It is characteristic of one who has taken the philosophical road less traveled and confronted nightmarish terrors being tested on a daily basis. The practitioner’s role is of wiser proportions.
As such, cowardice of culture is about arrogance of superficial thinking. Manifesting in diverse forms, cowardly behaviors can be stealthy, cunning, and crafty. As one pseudoscientist argues from the field of sociology, and reflecting a guru’s perspective, cowardice does not equate with morality. With this, the reference is directed toward ideas about decency, honesty, integrity, and virtue. Immorality surfaces and premeditates various acts of treachery. Writing in a national publication from an associated pseudoscience, the realm of psychology, the aforementioned reference discusses the probity of the basic goodness of claiming one’s courage. In the absence of serious scruples, mounted upon the edifice of ethical precepts, cowardice hides behind endless excuses. Courageous behaviors exhibit the willingness to accept controversy, regardless of the point of view others assume. Daring to be different demonstrates the fearlessness to ignore criticisms or worse. Unfortunately, most will not stay present enough to face their fears.
Spinelessness is often portrayed in the storytelling genre as the action taken to back down from a physical fight with an opponent. Being called out at high noon to the town square to confront another gunfighter and backing down is sometimes a metaphysical reference. Lily-livered, yellow, and chicken frequently appear in various Hollywood portrayals, by way of invective or personification. The seemingly wimpy milk-toast characterization appears more often in the post-modern context of American national political processes. For the cowardice of the day, a “gunfight at the OK Corral” is an allegory regarding the necessity of active confrontation, as opposed to facing the courage of convictions. In the modern mainstream, the coward hides behind a computer screen. He or she wears many disguises, and the trickery can be quite deceptive. Yet, the underlying foundation of cowardice remains very real and potentially dangerous.
Of all the psychic highways, the mysticism and fantasies, courageous endeavors know the pathways to greater illumination of self-evolution. As to the passivity of contemporary culture, in the infantile diversions of technogasms and toys of childhood, the adventurer moves beyond such mundane and boring proclivities. For the quest of a lifetime, bravery embarks on the mission to transform into that which is much more profound. In the stamina of inner potency, the energies divert to higher possibilities in stronger maturation. Meanwhile, in every communal setting, commonality screams the collective mantra of self-indulgence to remain dull, tedious, and the same as others in the uninteresting satiation of gluttonous indulgence. From the feeding frenzy of the workplace luncheon to the “potluck” munching of the spiritless doctrinal association, the co-opted enclave of mediocrity fosters alliances of hypocrisy. In these realms of contrived duplicity, the falseness knows no courageous sense of excited sensualness in creativity.
For the dullness of unexciting thought brought to lackluster expression, fear of authenticity, daring the razor’s edge of eccentricity, degrades the invitation to blissfully enlightened ascendancy. Boring cannot be yelled loud enough to proclaim the foolishness of egoistic pretense. As the game is afoot, the real game, and the one not to lose, the school playground sandbox is no longer the melting pot of conflict engagement and psychophysical resolution. Instead, as an ecclesiastical writer considers, writing in national publications, modern-day “behavior police” want safe places everywhere. Unfortunately, in real life, those are few and far between, and there are no guarantees when danger lurks around every corner. From bad ideas to bone-breaking aggression, as well as every other evil imagined, growing up in wise and savvy ways is vital. As to the greater probability, encouraging a culture of wimpiness and wussification fosters an environment of sheep-like humans. And, for that, wolf-like predators are appreciative.
For the braver ones among the timid many, the bugler sounds the cavalry charge. In the metaphorical application, the cavalry comes to the rescue in the nick of time. But that summons courageous energies to engage in face-to-face battle with opposing forces. As another researcher writes in a business publication, summoning the call to commit to action is scary for most people. Sure, a lot of the populace enjoys running their mouths, spewing all manner of self-serving bilge. It is a daily exchange in any group gathering. Rhetoric often supersedes reason, followed by proactive endeavors. Deviations from reality that encourage specious conjecture over the necessity of provable applications eventually invite debasing regression. Weakness enters the fray, and those not willing to fight back give way to the cowardice of culture.
Courage embraces each moment to rise above the morass of misinformation, misdirection, and maladaptation so prevalent in a technogasmic realm of infotainment. At the very instant where sensory arrays signal the onset of falsity, higher cognition by willful instigation activates psychodynamic countermeasures. Sensing the reflection, and delving into the depths of innate intricacy, the mirror cracks and the fragments drive the echo of multiple voices demanding unity. Mature perspective relishes the onset of differentiation. Stepping through that dimensional rift and braving the darkness finds revelation in self-edification. Rather than the stale consistency of proletarian constraints for mass consensus, individuality asserts its necessity for liberation. Fearfulness, however, loathes exceptionality. In the individuation process of grown-up self-evolution, intense self-reliance for authenticity devours any creep of doubt. Where doubt invites cohabitation with victimhood, whining, sniveling submission is swiftly chased to oblivion.
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From an article in a national publication devoted to psychological explorations, the writer addresses the degradation fomenting regression in a culture that pacifies the wussification of “victimization”. For the infant who recoils at the mention of any criticism toward the play-acting of self-imposed victimization, the overall wimpiness of clownish social media, etc., the relative inference does not admonish authentic victimization. On the contrary, the allegorical imperative at this juncture alludes to the foolish child-like self-indulgence of many who evade any semblance of responsibility for their existence. Nonetheless, arrogance in ignorance, as well as affinity for infantile longevity, wears many faces. Often, these characters can be found in the not-so-hallowed halls of academia. Which, of course, is quite fascinating from a reality-focused perspective. As to the “sacred” bastions of alleged higher ed, the initial impression is that amazingly brilliant insights unfold. From that, there ought to be comfort in the ascension of wiser perspectives.
Yet, to the debasing contrary of human interactivity, the safe places, the “victimhood”, “victim hoaxes”, and “trigger warnings”, thrive in the safe mediocrity of arrogant pretenses. Today, children, lacking any replication of real-world expertise, are being taught with clueless spectrums for excessive self-indulgence. Pampering emotional reactivity hastens the recovery toward a maturation process of significant self-transformation. Wherein the “virus” of cowardice finds frequent kinship in the insulated safe enclaves. Of special fascination, a distinct study unto itself, is the near cult-like believability that all important knowledge and wisdom emanates from the grounds of the vast array of collegiate communities. Where is that written in the book of life? That is where “experts” live who lack “expertise”. Scary prospects indeed.
Cowards speak behind another’s back, spread rumors, spew gossip, and otherwise promote opinions ill-conceived. They also hide behind computer screens and mindlessly blog, vlog, and pod their wafer-thin perspectives across the infotainment spectrum. Most often, barely entertaining, laughable, and pitifully sad in some cases, the obnoxious lack of skillfully intellectual expression demonstrates a slow deterioration of interpersonal communication skills. In the wimpiness of self-serving timidity, courageous confrontation is all too frequently avoided. One writer on these issues of lurking in the shadows of the electronic gadget points to the intentional failure to confront critical face-to-face problem-solving. Such becomes, as another researcher claims, an erosion of personal identity where the surreal blurs with the real. For that dereliction of personal growth and maturity, an infancy of poorly contrived psychobabble promotes a destructive anonymity for prosocial personality. Psychodynamic enrichment, intellectual ascension, and responsibility for self-evolving transformation regress to primal entrenchment.
In reference to the aforementioned neuroscientist, who testified before a government agency, the anonymity of hiding behind the computer screen serves as a crutch to reinforce gutless passivity. Testifying before a governmental agency, the researcher claimed that such indulgences reinforce choices to be less authentic, infantilizing childish unreality, prone to exaggeration, and limited attentiveness. Of course, these are unscientific generalizations, as numerous other factors are involved. Naturally, caution is warranted where any assessments of human behavior are concerned. There are no absolutes in terms of behavioral predictability. While some among each generational configuration can be called out as stupid, inept, spineless, and so forth, there are others who choose to be different. Overall though, regardless of forum or venue, an observer, who nearly always influences his or her observation, can urge speculation about the broad sweep of childlike foolishness permeating the social mainstream.
For the pleasurable surge of amative quenching in self-gratification, many choose to disregard the sanctity of the individuality of others. To serve their own glorification and achieve some sort of “celebrity status” with lots of “likes”, the child-adult will freely choose to abuse others. Illicit behaviors, unlawful actions, and insidious selfishness know no boundaries. Whether driving on an interstate highway while texting, with disregard for the safety of others, or shaming another on social media, the bullying antics devolve into purposeful cowardice. Bravery, on the other hand, requires willful resolution to rise above the fears haunting the inner realms of darkness. Valor in every aspect, small or large, speaks to the necessity of a more daring outlook.
Hiding behind the computer screen, raging from the anonymity of a foggy reflection, or mouthing “influencer” nonsense with an avatar’s profile, echoes the moaning cries of the child-adult. Such antics of the profane basis from which infantile narcissism blathers, the wannabes infest the social mainstream with varying types of cultural cowardice. In a bloated, selfie-focused, and greedily gluttonous culture, rife with drooling hypocrisy, many can boast the self-righteous indignation of their loathsome superficiality. Given the array of global networking cyber means, the technogasms flog a mindlessness of selfish blathering by way of blogs, vlogs, and pods. Wonderment ensues, as a white rabbit dashes from one surreal warren to another. For the vastness of untested, unexperienced, and uneducated “experts” without expertise, the plastic personalities degrade any pretense of talented creativity. Trepidation spews its vile triviality.
For such anguish of fearing a heroic quest, to reveal the daring essence of inner profundity, and tested beyond the limits of thumb-sucking materiality, maturation falters in the face of serious gut-wrenching differentiation. From an article, from a spectrum of writings in close proximity, in a national publication, one author describes efforts of a group of pretentious academics purporting to espouse “controversial ideas”. Of that utterance, some would ponder whether or not that is the whole point of so-called higher education. That is, to conjure, debate, argue, and analyze a diverseness of daring intellectual intercourse. Yet, with the barren landscape of blogospheric psychobabble, the “dump sites” are filled with refuse of childish trash. But, as to the article previously mentioned, a critique of journalistic propositions allows safe mediocrity in anonymity. Hiding between the electronic pages, by way of a pseudonym, etc., one could propose all manner of idiocy, yet evade individual accountability in cross-examination.
As to the aforementioned author, the notion of “craven cowardice” surfaces in analysis of such a scheme to “protect identity” but allow the probability of stupidity to wreak foolishness unchallenged. Regardless, all conversations, replications, and inventions of one sort or another should enter into the arena of social discourse. No matter what, nothing should be censored unless, of course, a duly constitutional compromise acquiesces. Naturally, that too should be challenged and appealed whenever possible. Anything less advocates the regressive intentions of dreadful consequences in the depravity of adult-child instigations. To avoid controversy, to safeguard emotional reactivity, and to coddle the easily offended is egregiously demonic. So-called academic freedom is exactly that. A brazen, unapologetic, and uninhibited open-mindedness is essential to intellectual ascension. Likewise, its framework is that of courage in the face of cowardice.
As to the mere mention of the word cowardice, images arise in some astute observers of the social mainstream. One in particular is that of the bully. Bluntly stated, bullies are cowards, and they intentionally manifest in all manner of disguises. From academia, the halls of government, on to corporate intrigue, bullying behavior is part of lifestyle choices freely made. In the small, insulated domains of so-called higher ed, the preciousness of a Ph.D. arrogance has few boundaries. Bullies, attempting their exercise of power over another, hide behind an array of diverse schools of thought. The philosophies, the “social studies arena”, are rife with the perpetual antics of alleged “expertise” in the ongoing effort to inflate one’s self-important, bullying-cowardice surfaces in a multidimensional spectrum. Rather than pursue the humble presence of self-evolving differentiation, that of a venerable mature warrior, the bully devises means by which to intimidate, exploit, and victimize others. Oppressors are aggressors by choice.
From a psychoanalytic philosophical tradition, one investigator observes that bullies perpetuate their criminological inclinations by preying on others. Building “self-esteem” by illicit means continuously instigates an endless array of “self-promotion”, always searching for targets of opportunity. Overtly and covertly, the cowardly personality seeks out vulnerability. Deception is subtle at times, while intimidation may be openly aggressive. Academia, politics, families, the workplace, and any other settings of human interaction are potentially represented by spineless tyrannical behaviors. More often, it comes across in very subtle ways rather than the more recognizable forms of brute force often portrayed in movies. With a rationally derived perception of a power and control imbalance, bullying antics traverse the psychophysical dynamics of interpersonal communication spheres. It is intentional, purposeful, and emotionally motivated for the coward to perpetrate that which reinforces his or her belief system.
Again, cowardly maladaptation is self-serving. There are many forms of such behavior. Gutless, weak, and fearful perceptions manifest in various forms. Whether perpetration is physical or psychological, or a combination of both, the perpetrators are different personifications. Appearances are deceiving, yet the intentions are similar. All of which degrade the social context and hasten the collapse of society. The potentiality of illicit or illegal perpetrations underlies the basis of probable criminalities. Condescending admonitions, of one form or another, express immaturity in the debasing manifestations of “infantile narcissism”. Power, control, and manipulation are at the very core of such intentional commissions of oppressiveness. Cowardice of culture for collusive consensus is seemingly more prevalent than ever.
