Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2001 11:06:07 +0000
From: "steve.devos" <steve.devos-AT-tiscali.co.uk>
Subject: Re: [Fwd: re:  Ethics as a figure of nihalism]



Mal

the issue started because of Hugh's belief in communuties having some 
value and worth

"... a continuity of personal relationships and institutional support 
for those relationships  they affect significant others, parents and 
children, extended families, tribes, communities."

Given that the structure of the communities in question, and perhaps if 
I used the equally specular but different communities of this side of 
the atlantic it would have been clearer, is predominantly one that 
oppresses and excludes rather than includes and liberates. In this 
specific society community is used to place the human subject into a 
place where they belong. In previous, equally unpleasent societies, a 
common language placed the subject into its community,  but now the 
commodity spectacle constructs an artificial reconstruction of 
community.  Our societies have lost the community that the common 
language, the myths had been able to maintain. In place of the 
unpleasent communities founded on death and sacrifice, our communities 
are founded on commodification, spectacle and division. The divided 
 nature of our communities constitutes them as inactive because the 
common language of community is derived from its commodification.

False communities and neighbourhoods are generated everywhere - for 
example - at work 'teams' and 'communities' are built to enable the 
business to maximise its use of human resources through the false 
community it constructs. The currently suspended (because of 911) 
refugee and economic migrant issue in europe, is founded on the myth of 
refugees and migrants being welcomed and this being a society which 
tolerates difference. The reality is of course different for the 
spectacle uses the former myth to hide the oppression of difference. The 
use and glorification of redundent and oppressive cultural norms based 
on cultural, racial, sexual and local stereotypes is normal.

If 'community' is being used to oppress and control - which is the 
result of the excessive commodification - then on a day to day basis we 
need to be careful before we accept the idea that it is in itself a 
positive value...

regards

steve