Thanks, Rob. I know and I feel it too—it's a lot to carry. Take care and if nothing else, we will keep writing, reading, thinking and keeping one foot in front of another to help bridge the gap on all fronts.
Thanks, Henry! That’s a great point. Thinking of social cohesion in terms of a shared acceptance of facts is definitely one approach, but I’m not sure it’s realistic in practice. For instance, those who voted for Trump may not see “our” facts as “their” facts. So the question becomes, how do we build social cohesion in the absence of shared values or facts? Is that even possible, and if so, how? The real challenge may lie in defining what can truly count as “shared facts” within diverse societies. I’d love to dig deeper into this—there are so many important questions here.
"Treaty Principles Bill, a move that caught me completely off guard. It’s not my usual instinct to jump to conclusions, but the timing feels anything but coincidental."
History repeats itself. It is frightening how the absurb negates the hard work of many socially minded intellectuals. Goodness always prevails.
Thanks, Mark—really interesting take on why I talk about social cohesion. I’d love to hear more about why you think that. My interest in social cohesion isn’t because it suits me personally; it’s actually because it’s such a complex, challenging topic to understand, measure, and discuss. I’m drawn to it precisely because it’s contradictory and outdated, yet it remains highly used as a way to describe a type of society. I largely disagree in the way it is currently used.
So, your comment definitely gives me pause, and I’d like to understand more about your perspective. I’m always keen to shine a light into my political blind spots, super open to stand corrected on anything I say.
Unlike being Woke, social cohesion will never go out of fashion. Good new article by John Leake today about USA election. Do you want me to email it to you ?
Thanks, Mark! I agree, I think the idea of social cohesion is fundamental to develop effective ways of governing, which will always be needed. Not sure what woke has to do with social cohesion though, can you unpack that for me? and yes, always happy to exchange emails: natalia.albertllorente@vuw.ac.nz.
Hi Natalia can you see how in the USA election that social cohesion got stronger for Trump and much weaker for Harris and her Woke supporters. I am convinced she lost the election because the Democrats deluded Woke views put them out of touch with the voters, and all that virtue signaling just put the voters off. But unwoke Mr Trump understood what the voters wanted, and what social cohesion means. What do you make of that unpacking, and do you agree ? I am interested to know what you find disagreeable about the current version of social cohesion ?
I think what Mark is saying is that what has just happened in America is in fact an example of “social cohesion”, but not one of a kind that suits the woke.
For myself, I think there is a vibrancy of democracy being demonstrated here. I am startled at the outcome. A weirdo like Trump can win a popular majority? This is powerful, new, information. The first time was probably just a giant middle finger from the garbage deplorables against arrogant and ignorant (apparently) hectoring. But the second time? With convictions, exposed bad behaviour and on and on… It is fascinating. Is it ‘good’? Is it ‘bad’? Whatever. What is it telling us?
Despair, confusion, and anxiety - accurately describes how I’m feeling right now. Take care.
Thanks, Rob. I know and I feel it too—it's a lot to carry. Take care and if nothing else, we will keep writing, reading, thinking and keeping one foot in front of another to help bridge the gap on all fronts.
Really enjoyed reading that. Would it be helpful to think of social cohesion in terms of the acceptance of a shared set of facts?
Thanks, Henry! That’s a great point. Thinking of social cohesion in terms of a shared acceptance of facts is definitely one approach, but I’m not sure it’s realistic in practice. For instance, those who voted for Trump may not see “our” facts as “their” facts. So the question becomes, how do we build social cohesion in the absence of shared values or facts? Is that even possible, and if so, how? The real challenge may lie in defining what can truly count as “shared facts” within diverse societies. I’d love to dig deeper into this—there are so many important questions here.
"Treaty Principles Bill, a move that caught me completely off guard. It’s not my usual instinct to jump to conclusions, but the timing feels anything but coincidental."
History repeats itself. It is frightening how the absurb negates the hard work of many socially minded intellectuals. Goodness always prevails.
Hi Natalia. You seem to only like social cohesion if it suits you. I think you have a lot to learn about social cohesion.
Thanks, Mark—really interesting take on why I talk about social cohesion. I’d love to hear more about why you think that. My interest in social cohesion isn’t because it suits me personally; it’s actually because it’s such a complex, challenging topic to understand, measure, and discuss. I’m drawn to it precisely because it’s contradictory and outdated, yet it remains highly used as a way to describe a type of society. I largely disagree in the way it is currently used.
So, your comment definitely gives me pause, and I’d like to understand more about your perspective. I’m always keen to shine a light into my political blind spots, super open to stand corrected on anything I say.
Unlike being Woke, social cohesion will never go out of fashion. Good new article by John Leake today about USA election. Do you want me to email it to you ?
Thanks, Mark! I agree, I think the idea of social cohesion is fundamental to develop effective ways of governing, which will always be needed. Not sure what woke has to do with social cohesion though, can you unpack that for me? and yes, always happy to exchange emails: natalia.albertllorente@vuw.ac.nz.
Hi Natalia can you see how in the USA election that social cohesion got stronger for Trump and much weaker for Harris and her Woke supporters. I am convinced she lost the election because the Democrats deluded Woke views put them out of touch with the voters, and all that virtue signaling just put the voters off. But unwoke Mr Trump understood what the voters wanted, and what social cohesion means. What do you make of that unpacking, and do you agree ? I am interested to know what you find disagreeable about the current version of social cohesion ?
I think what Mark is saying is that what has just happened in America is in fact an example of “social cohesion”, but not one of a kind that suits the woke.
For myself, I think there is a vibrancy of democracy being demonstrated here. I am startled at the outcome. A weirdo like Trump can win a popular majority? This is powerful, new, information. The first time was probably just a giant middle finger from the garbage deplorables against arrogant and ignorant (apparently) hectoring. But the second time? With convictions, exposed bad behaviour and on and on… It is fascinating. Is it ‘good’? Is it ‘bad’? Whatever. What is it telling us?