It's well known that people show a marked tendency to either 'look up to' or 'look down on' each other.
On another web-forum, I saw a rant by someone about outbreaks of sycophancy on the board: when certain 'venerable' figures said something, others would jump in and agree, and if they insulted someone the victim would go all submissive like a low-status dog. Here I've seen a similar remark by StarValleyWy about the accumulation of 'chimp credits'. If this is what it's like over the web, what are people like face-to-face?
So I want to ask people this: how much do you look up to 'authority figures' or look down on 'the great unwashed'? How much do you see this behaviour in others?
I do this much more on RHP than anywhere else. I have a sort of notorious disregard for parental, school etc. authority but there are a few RHPers whom I respect and think are awesome, and treat accordingly.
I would suspect that this is the reverse of the typical tendency, because the anonymity afforded by the Internet promotes quite obnoxious behavior, while the 'carrot and stick' associated with authority tend to act in accordance with their normal function.
I've never been convicted of a crime though 😉.
the more time i spend on rhp the more i notice how cliquey the forums are...maybe some people are just that insecure and powerless in 'real life' that being part of something gives them a sense of popularity...i mean some of the people on here desperately want to be liked....if that involves blatantly being up certain peoples backsides they'll do it.
I don't think it takes very long to get a pretty good idea about who has ideas and who can express them in a reasonable and/or interesting way. Personally, I tend to respond primarily to posts that I consider interesting but with which I disagree. I just don't normally feel that it is worthwhile for anyone else to read that I agree with something. 😉
Paul
Originally posted by AcolyteI think this will have something to do with which position the authority figure has over someone.
It's well known that people show a marked tendency to either 'look up to' or 'look down on' each other.
On another web-forum, I saw a rant by someone about outbreaks of sycophancy on the board: when certain 'venerable' figures said something, others would jump in and agree, and if they insulted someone the victim would go all submissive like a low- ...[text shortened]... figures' or look down on 'the great unwashed'? How much do you see this behaviour in others?
Personally, I keep getting fired becaue of "a severe lack of respect for authority", or I get severe reprimands.
Even when I explain that I don't have disrespect for authority, but that authority has a problem being constantly questioned.
I have no time for bosses other than I have for everyone else. But I'm in the happy position that I couldn't care less if I've got a job or not, because I'm the equally lucky position of not having children and other responsibilities.
If you have a family, a bought house, other financial obligations, then retaining your job becomes very important. If authority wants to be respected, then you're more likely to respect that authority (or at least act like it).
The whole celebrity, royalty, politician honouring thing is WAY beyond my comprehension. I can but joke about them.
Originally posted by AcolyteAs a point of information, I might add that I had to rebuild my existence from nothing... as an intellectual effort. This allowed me the opportunity of studying "why" we are what we are.
It's well known that people show a marked tendency to either 'look up to' or 'look down on' each other.
On another web-forum, I saw a rant by someone about outbreaks of sycophancy on the board: when certain 'venerable' figures sai ...[text shortened]... e great unwashed'? How much do you see this behaviour in others?
One of the final questions i couldn't answer was why my father was able to get away with what he did for so long. Indeed, he has never... to this day faced the music. The answer turned out to be that 'Every human alive is motivated only by the desire for recognition'. He was charismatic to the n'th degree. Nobody believed he was evil. They still can't.
There is no other motivation. Chimp credits are all we need or want. Recognition. CHARISMATIC PEOPLE... DISH IT OUT NO END. THEY ARE THUS IMMUNE FROM THE REAL WORLD.
Chimp credits is it. Outside of the "familial" imperitive of natural selection and LOVE. NO ORGANIZATION OF THREE PEOPLE OR MORE EXISTS OUTSIDE OF THE BASIC NEED FOR RECOGNITION.
I have asked for counter examples for years. Nobody has managed to name a single example.
"Pecking Order" falls way short. "Only Order" is more like it.
Originally posted by Crowley"Authority" is that which occurs while we are busy being "not" interested.
Ha! I have the same problem.
I like you.
Cheers.
The best way to prevent it is by being involved.
You can be the "authority". Frightening thought that. But true.
Don't "fight" it... "be" it.