Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

• Mass Shame and Affect VS Positive Reinforcement by RoseMary Brinkman MSW, 12/8/98
  • Positive reinforcement versus ticket sales by Don Nathanson, 12/13/98
    • What Does it Take to Bring About Change? by Patricia A. Doherty, 12/14/98
      
      

I have no doubt that in the last centuries upon centuries our methods of child rearing and shaming and use of aggression have not changed. Probably we're less brutal with children than we used to be, but what we don't face up to is that we are a very aggressive, often sadistic species who are far more inclined to solve problems and influence others through coercion and force. No doubt that the reason for this lies in the organization of our brains and the evolutionary importance of different structures (perhaps simply adding on new cortex over old cortex and old limbic structures wasn't such a great idea!)

Individually, of course. we all love to say "but, but this isn't me"and deny that we are at all like thatl! Unfortunately, The gentler, kinder side of humanity seems so easily overtaken.

How to change? The irony is that the kindler, gentler people need to learn how to be more"aggressivel assertive" in spreading the word. Incredibly few of us are persistently active in trying to produce community or cultural change. We are hardly a participatory democracy when you look at organizations on most every level and the tiny percentage of people who influence entire towns, cities, communities or national organizations. The plus side of this is that it takes fewer voices to have a greater impact. Mother's Against Drunk Drivers is one of the best illustrations of what happens if a few people are persistent and dedicated to doing something, and not stopping.

Well, I'm not exactly sure this contributed anything, but whether it's about athletes or about Clintion, eventually we're are going to be forced to hold up a mirror and look in it.

Mirror, mirror on the wall who among us will end up most shamed of all.

• Well, maybe there is a different way by Don Nathanson, 12/15/98
  • Gratitude by Patricia A. Doherty, 12/16/98