Tag: sociology

Got a Sociological Imagination?

Greetings, TBPers… I ran across something I wrote about 10 years ago and a friend suggested I post it here.   There are many on this site that throw shade at the discipline of Sociology and me for varying reasons. I believe some of it is justified while some of it might come from misrepresentations of the field in general.  I understand that most assume the only job someone with a degree in sociology does is act as a social worker , reinforcing the establishment and government over the people; the antithesis to much of what we discuss on this site about government corruption, graft and hierarchies of power.

Continue reading “Got a Sociological Imagination?”

Boundaries

Why are there boundaries?

Boundaries serve to delineate a difference – over here is Germany, over there is Poland. They serve to separate incompatible functions – on this side of the wall is Sales, on that side is Production (and dangerous equipment, pressurized gases, concentrated chemicals, high voltage electricity). And they serve to provide guidance / provide protection – if you go past the fence, the bull / deep ravine / toxic waste might get you. Valid boundaries are vital to your happiness / health / survival.

We went through, a generation back or two, a widespread rejection of boundaries – “tune in, turn on, drop out” in Leary’s phrase. Boundaries were seen as limiting, arbitrary, restrictive – as obstacles rather than protections. Boundaries kept people apart rather than kept people safe. Boundaries prevented free association instead of limiting contact between incompatible groups. Boundaries were bad.

Continue reading “Boundaries”