Society

There is a story told in the Talmud to emphasise and explain how the tone in which something is said is often critical in understanding what is meant by what is said.

The background to the story is that the Talmud mandated that every landowner had an obligation to give a tithe to the priests (the Cohanim). But there was a lot that was left to the discretion of the landowner – which priest or priests, and what quality the tithe should actually comprise.

Now on this particular occasion the landowner needed to be absent for a few days. He appointed a manager who he left in charge of gathering in the figs and grading them into three qualities – best, middle, and poor.

Now it so happened that when the manager was in the middle of doing this, a priest passed by. The manager knew he should give a tithe, he knew that every landowner had an obligation to give a tithe – but which quality? He opted for the safe bet and gave from the middle quality.

When the landowner returned, the manager told him he had given a tithe to the priest, to which the landowner replied ‘Why didn’t you give him the best quality?’

Now you tell me what the landowner meant. You cannot and I cannot without hearing the tone of his voice.

Did he mean that the priest was such a worthy person and the landowner considered the obligation to tithe so important that the manager should have given the best quality figs?

Or did the landowner use an ironic tone because he begrudged giving the figs for the tithe or to this particular priest?

Did he mean ‘Why stop halfway – why didn’t you make an even worse decision than you did, and give the priest my best figs?

It’s all in the tone of voice – and that is what the story is intended to illustrate.

Tamara and I went to see the Revolution: Russian Art 1917-1932 exhibition at the Royal Academy. We learned that Lenin viewed culture as a stepping stone to the Communist State. When that was achieved, art would have no function and it would be removed ‘snip, snip’ as he described it.

Stalin allowed only Socialist Realism in art. That is art that could be understood by the most uneducated of workers.

The narrator described how Stalin disliked Avante Garde art because its message was unclear.

And suddenly I understood it. Art that has a message that is unclear requires that the viewer makes an attempt to understand it. The viewer has to think – and that is what Stalin did not want. Because of course, once people think, they are wild cards – unfathomable and unreachable.

And of course I understood why the Nazis banned what they described as decadent art – for the same reason. Previously I had thought it was because its themes were racy or against the stereotype of the Germanic ideal. But the reason was more basic; that people might think. And thinking carries all kinds of dangers.

Poster For Sale

We saw a poster from the exhibition for sale. The image at the top of this post is a snippet from the poster. The full image shows that giant carrying a red banner, marching inexorably towards Revolution while the masses march and run to defeat the Bourgoisie, the Church, the old State.

We were both attracted to the graphic of the image but we both also thought that the violent scene was one we didn’t want to live with. We came together at one point to talk about buying the poster and it struck me how wonderful it was that we had both independently concluded that we didn’t want to buy it.

In the modern world, with the breakdown of community and the eclipse of religion as a large part of life, all we have left is the society we make. If the society is unfair, then resentments have no outlets.

I have said before – people will put up with a lot if they know that we are all in the same boat. But when some people have it all and are riding rough-shod over the rest, then there is no society. There is just a fractured mass of people.

What can unite us? What is that ‘something in the air’ that we sense but cannot identify?

Part Two

In light of the Assisted Dying Bill before Parliament, when the topic comes up and I think of saying something, and I stop because – who knows – I may feel differently if I were in the shoes of a terminally ill person in pain or suffering other bad symptoms. But a couple of general points – it seems to me that the reason this Bill was approved is because of the death of religion.

The ultimate arbiters are now the people themselves – they are the pinnacle of all decision making and there is therefore no humility. Elon Musk’s citizen journalism on X is in the same mould – built on the principle that we are all adults now and can guide the ship of society into the next millennium. Maybe, but the evidence is that left to his own direction without a rudder, man will sink to the lowest common denominator.

That said, this is the arc of history – we are all so hemmed in by each other that big desires have nowhere to go without bumping into other people. And it will all go the right way or the wrong way – but it is going the way it was ordained according to the Sages.

On the subject of the Bill – it seems odd that someone might be in pain for years and then when he/she gets to the home straight with only six months to go – they get the green light. A person might say that having got this far, this last bit is the least of their worries.

Originally published here 15th September 2013

This is a quick rundown of the main points of The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini

Reciprocity – We are more likely to be persuaded to do something when it involves repaying an obligation – a waiter/waitress in a restaurant will elicit more tips if he/she gives a mint to customers, especially if it appears to be a spontaneous act of generosity

Scarcity – Point out the benefits – tell them what’s unique about what you are offering – show them what they stand to lose by not taking up the offer

Authority – It’s important to signal to others what makes you a credible, knowledgable authority before you attempt to influence them – get someone to praise you. – the person who praises your can even be related to your business (e.g. receptionist who refers to your expertise) or likely to benefit from praising you.

Consistency – Once one gets someone to make small voluntary, active, and public contribution towards something, it is easier to then get them to do something bigger towards that goal.

Liking – We prefer to say yes to people who are similar to us, who pay us compliments, and who cooperate with us. Do these before negotiating or talking about business.

Consensus – For example – 75% of our guests reuse their towels, please do so as well. / 75% of our customers order again within a month. Please use this code when you reorder…