Date: Wed, 07 Aug 2002 10:55:46 -0500
From: MM <michaelm-AT-execpc.com>
Subject: Re: PUPT: Puppetry Critiscm


Recently there has been much speculatiomn on why puppetry seems unable
to break through the overwhelmingly mainstream held perception that it
is primarily for children's entertainment. I think a large part of it is
the traditional limitations of American perception and independant
thought.

"I know of no country in which there is so little independence of mind
and real freedom of discussion as in America."
Chapter XV, Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville

Published in 1831!

While Tocqueville observed and wrote of governance 171 years ago, I feel
that his observations are perhaps more true now, in the age of corporate
PR mind management. My observation is that each generation of American's
has less capacity for independant thought, critical thinking and
imagination than the previous one. There are certainly extraordinary
individual exceptions, but as training replaces education, this will
increase on the mass level.

Here is the full quote:

I know of no country in which there is so little independence of mind
and real freedom of discussion as in
America. In any constitutional state in Europe every sort of religious
and political theory may be freely
preached and disseminated; for there is no country in Europe so subdued
by any single authority as not to
protect the man who raises his voice in the cause of truth from the
consequences of his hardihood. If he is
unfortunate enough to live under an absolute government, the people are
often on his side; if he inhabits a free
country, he can, if necessary, find a shelter behind the throne. The
aristocratic part of society supports him in
some countries, and the democracy in others. But in a nation where
democratic institutions exist, organized
like those of the United States, there is but one authority, one element
of strength and success, with nothing
beyond it.

This was brought to my attention by a british author  Toby Young being
interviewed on NPR. Young has written the book "How to make enemies and
alienate people".

MM



  --- Personal replies to: MM <michaelm-AT-execpc.com>
  --- List replies to:     puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
  --- Admin commands to:   majordomo-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
  --- Archives at:         http://lists.village.virginia.edu/~spoons