3/
Read only if you want to quibble with my assumption that humans possess innate attributes which make then suited to different social and occupational roles:
Read only if you want to quibble with my assumption that humans possess innate attributes which make then suited to different social and occupational roles:
https://twitter.com/SumElseThing1/status/1333389986536755200
4/
Read only if you want to quibble with my belief that locality- and role-based castes are the natural setting for human lives in stable societies:
Read only if you want to quibble with my belief that locality- and role-based castes are the natural setting for human lives in stable societies:
https://twitter.com/SumElseThing1/status/1334175968458629120
5/
Within a caste (group of socioeconomically clustered individuals with shared culture and social network), there will be an internal distinction between those doing comparatively well, possibly exceeding the stereotypical prosperity and competence of their general caste...
Within a caste (group of socioeconomically clustered individuals with shared culture and social network), there will be an internal distinction between those doing comparatively well, possibly exceeding the stereotypical prosperity and competence of their general caste...
6/
...and those who are doing relatively poorly, either embodying the worst stereotypes of their caste or just barely hanging on to their caste-status.
...and those who are doing relatively poorly, either embodying the worst stereotypes of their caste or just barely hanging on to their caste-status.
7/
Formal distinctions between categories of people will always be more important to those doing relatively poorly compared to their caste-peers, as they will be relying on their similarities to more successful caste-mates for esteem, status, and practical privileges.
Formal distinctions between categories of people will always be more important to those doing relatively poorly compared to their caste-peers, as they will be relying on their similarities to more successful caste-mates for esteem, status, and practical privileges.
8/
This is true along dis-aggregated dimensions:
Loser whites care about the status of whites relative to blacks.
Loser men care about the status of men relative to women.
Loser college grads care about the respect of society for college degrees.
etc...
This is true along dis-aggregated dimensions:
Loser whites care about the status of whites relative to blacks.
Loser men care about the status of men relative to women.
Loser college grads care about the respect of society for college degrees.
etc...
9/
It's also true on a group basis:
The least productive electrician in IBEW Local 2034 (Winnipeg) is probably more defensive about the contractual and regulatory privileges and general esteem and internal solidarity of that union than the most productive member.
It's also true on a group basis:
The least productive electrician in IBEW Local 2034 (Winnipeg) is probably more defensive about the contractual and regulatory privileges and general esteem and internal solidarity of that union than the most productive member.
10/
The lower you are on the distribution of individual success within your caste (as understood by outsiders), the more your membership in that caste subsidizes your personal prosperity and status with the reflected glory of those who fall on the higher end of the distribution.
The lower you are on the distribution of individual success within your caste (as understood by outsiders), the more your membership in that caste subsidizes your personal prosperity and status with the reflected glory of those who fall on the higher end of the distribution.
11/
Caste as understood by outsiders - external prestige - is not the same as wealth and success. Castes are not neatly arranged in a hierarchy.
Caste as understood by outsiders - external prestige - is not the same as wealth and success. Castes are not neatly arranged in a hierarchy.
12/
But, under normal circumstances, people will generally socialize, marry, worship, network, vote, fight alongside, and fight against people whose backgrounds, cultures, occupations, and intrinsic talents resemble their own.
But, under normal circumstances, people will generally socialize, marry, worship, network, vote, fight alongside, and fight against people whose backgrounds, cultures, occupations, and intrinsic talents resemble their own.
13/
Because different castes embody different life-ways and implicit cultures, succeeding as a member of one caste doesn't necessarily translate into matriculation into a "higher" class, nor does failing necessarily mean falling into a "lower" one.
Because different castes embody different life-ways and implicit cultures, succeeding as a member of one caste doesn't necessarily translate into matriculation into a "higher" class, nor does failing necessarily mean falling into a "lower" one.
14/
Under normal (stable) conditions, there is always some mobility between castes for those with gifts or temperaments far outside the norm for the people they were born to. But this is at the margins; "Growing up to do as your daddy done" can be a strong default assumption.
Under normal (stable) conditions, there is always some mobility between castes for those with gifts or temperaments far outside the norm for the people they were born to. But this is at the margins; "Growing up to do as your daddy done" can be a strong default assumption.
15/
So no matter which axis you choose to slice society up, there will be hidden-to-outsiders distinctions within each group reflecting individuals' varying levels of competence and virtue.
Some will have a surplus of whatever makes [group] tick and some will have a shortage.
So no matter which axis you choose to slice society up, there will be hidden-to-outsiders distinctions within each group reflecting individuals' varying levels of competence and virtue.
Some will have a surplus of whatever makes [group] tick and some will have a shortage.
16/
And one expects more subtle and longer term thinkers in each caste are more likely to be the overachievers, cetaris parabus.
Intelligence and conscientiousness cut across life scripts and are heritable - there will be a fairly stable leadership sub-caste for every caste.
And one expects more subtle and longer term thinkers in each caste are more likely to be the overachievers, cetaris parabus.
Intelligence and conscientiousness cut across life scripts and are heritable - there will be a fairly stable leadership sub-caste for every caste.
17/
From the outside, it is usually not apparent what distinguishes the smartest, most responsible [income range] [sex] [race] [occupation] in the [local area] from the dullest and most dissipate. But within such a group, everyone will know and the distinction will be important.
From the outside, it is usually not apparent what distinguishes the smartest, most responsible [income range] [sex] [race] [occupation] in the [local area] from the dullest and most dissipate. But within such a group, everyone will know and the distinction will be important.
18/
The adaptive nature of castes means this leadership sub-caste will always be a minority - If the general level of competence increases to match that of yesterday's leaders, then the patterns of work and life will price this in, shifting the midpoint of viability.
The adaptive nature of castes means this leadership sub-caste will always be a minority - If the general level of competence increases to match that of yesterday's leaders, then the patterns of work and life will price this in, shifting the midpoint of viability.
19/
Meanwhile, the accumulated infrastructure of the caste culture makes the cluster sticky - those in a range of competence above or below the midpoint very often do better sticking with their cluster of origin than by seeking out a better match in an unfamiliar social niche.
Meanwhile, the accumulated infrastructure of the caste culture makes the cluster sticky - those in a range of competence above or below the midpoint very often do better sticking with their cluster of origin than by seeking out a better match in an unfamiliar social niche.
20/
These natural leaders of local castes, the more successful but less numerous members, are characteristically satisfied with life and espouse generally "conservative" viewpoints, though these are inflected with the style of thinking and conventions of their class and caste.
These natural leaders of local castes, the more successful but less numerous members, are characteristically satisfied with life and espouse generally "conservative" viewpoints, though these are inflected with the style of thinking and conventions of their class and caste.
21/
They are also more satisfied with individual and group autonomy, less concerned with the external prestige of their group.
They are also more satisfied with individual and group autonomy, less concerned with the external prestige of their group.
22/
When we talk about political coalitions in the US, the two party system generally shakes out to having one party that appeals primarily to these "local elites" along with those of their caste-mates who feel secure and satisfied with their leadership.
When we talk about political coalitions in the US, the two party system generally shakes out to having one party that appeals primarily to these "local elites" along with those of their caste-mates who feel secure and satisfied with their leadership.
23/
The other party generally appeals to marginal or rebellious members of each local caste who are concerned with solidifying their caste status, finding a more favorable social niche, or formalizing the privileges and prestige they receive by virtue of caste membership.
The other party generally appeals to marginal or rebellious members of each local caste who are concerned with solidifying their caste status, finding a more favorable social niche, or formalizing the privileges and prestige they receive by virtue of caste membership.
24/
The "conservative" and "activist" coalitions each include people from all walks of life, but are characterized by a shared natural role within their respective social contexts.
The "conservative" and "activist" coalitions each include people from all walks of life, but are characterized by a shared natural role within their respective social contexts.
25/
The self-made magnate is the natural ally of the prosperous local elite, the highly effective technocrat, the skilled tradesman, and the striving immigrant.
The self-made magnate is the natural ally of the prosperous local elite, the highly effective technocrat, the skilled tradesman, and the striving immigrant.
26/
The dissipate heir to wealth is the natural ally of the sinecure holder, the marginally competent wage laborer, and the underclass petty criminal.
The dissipate heir to wealth is the natural ally of the sinecure holder, the marginally competent wage laborer, and the underclass petty criminal.
27/
What I suspect has happened in American politics is that we had this anthropologically unusual period of radical prosperity in the middle 20th c. where everyone in society got to take an unearned step up in whatever intersection of class+status hierarchies they were embedded.
What I suspect has happened in American politics is that we had this anthropologically unusual period of radical prosperity in the middle 20th c. where everyone in society got to take an unearned step up in whatever intersection of class+status hierarchies they were embedded.
28/
The sons of high-functioning manual laborers were able to get union manufacturing jobs which simulated the lifestyle of a skilled tradesman.
The sons of high-functioning manual laborers were able to get union manufacturing jobs which simulated the lifestyle of a skilled tradesman.
29/
The children of prosperous tradesmen or small business owners got to go to college and pretend to be technocrats.
The children of prosperous tradesmen or small business owners got to go to college and pretend to be technocrats.
30/
The people who would have become the highest-functioning technocrats found opportunity in prestige professions or executive roles.
The people who would have become the highest-functioning technocrats found opportunity in prestige professions or executive roles.
31/
(In the process, the cultural capital of most pre-existing local and caste cultures was decimated.)
(In the process, the cultural capital of most pre-existing local and caste cultures was decimated.)
32/
But shifting upwards in terms of some outward class signifier like income or education status does not confer on one the habits and attitudes which make for a successful member of one's new apparent class.
But shifting upwards in terms of some outward class signifier like income or education status does not confer on one the habits and attitudes which make for a successful member of one's new apparent class.
33/
A newly minted union punch-press operator whose father pushed a shovel for a living does not automatically have what it takes to be a success as a less supervised, more trusted tradesman, even if his paycheck says otherwise.
A newly minted union punch-press operator whose father pushed a shovel for a living does not automatically have what it takes to be a success as a less supervised, more trusted tradesman, even if his paycheck says otherwise.
34/
For a time, you had inverted internal prestige systems within each caste. Smart, long-term-oriented but culturally incompetent matriculates from "lower" classes found themselves in social landscapes dominated by culturally competent but dissipate natives of their new caste.
For a time, you had inverted internal prestige systems within each caste. Smart, long-term-oriented but culturally incompetent matriculates from "lower" classes found themselves in social landscapes dominated by culturally competent but dissipate natives of their new caste.
35/
A representation of this might be the Dilbert/Office Space universes: Sensible, competent techies (natural tradesmen masquerading as bureaucrats) toil under the lash of ditzy, game-playing managers (native bureaucrats elevated in responsibility beyond their competence).
A representation of this might be the Dilbert/Office Space universes: Sensible, competent techies (natural tradesmen masquerading as bureaucrats) toil under the lash of ditzy, game-playing managers (native bureaucrats elevated in responsibility beyond their competence).
36/
Everyone shifted right and suddenly the conservative coalition was made up of the lower prestige members of each sub-group in society while the higher prestige members of each sub-group were suddenly less capable activist types.
Everyone shifted right and suddenly the conservative coalition was made up of the lower prestige members of each sub-group in society while the higher prestige members of each sub-group were suddenly less capable activist types.
37/
The whole picture is further complicated by the tendency of people to assess society based on a cached map set down early in life.
The whole picture is further complicated by the tendency of people to assess society based on a cached map set down early in life.
38/
So, in terms of personal histories, Baby Boomers entered adulthood viewing themselves as both radical and successful based on the socioeconomic map of their childhoods:
So, in terms of personal histories, Baby Boomers entered adulthood viewing themselves as both radical and successful based on the socioeconomic map of their childhoods:
39/
If they were relatively talented, they could make their way into a caste of apparent prestige where their own culture was at odds with the conventional culture for that stratum.
This made natural conservatives feel like iconoclasts.
If they were relatively talented, they could make their way into a caste of apparent prestige where their own culture was at odds with the conventional culture for that stratum.
This made natural conservatives feel like iconoclasts.
40/
If they were relatively less talented, then they found themselves rising easily to the top of their native class.
Leading to natural activists feeling a false sense of superiority.
If they were relatively less talented, then they found themselves rising easily to the top of their native class.
Leading to natural activists feeling a false sense of superiority.
41/
And in terms of political narratives, the New Left's memeplex grew atop a set of of assumptions which were no longer valid - that the people in charge in any particular setting would be conservative and insular, for example.
And in terms of political narratives, the New Left's memeplex grew atop a set of of assumptions which were no longer valid - that the people in charge in any particular setting would be conservative and insular, for example.
42/
Then, after a few decades of this, the explosion in prosperity stopped, and our society has been in a long and painful process of unwinding the mess of mis-allocated authority and unrealistic expectations.
Then, after a few decades of this, the explosion in prosperity stopped, and our society has been in a long and painful process of unwinding the mess of mis-allocated authority and unrealistic expectations.
43/
As this unwinds, you see all sorts of bizarre signalling spirals as people fight against the undertow which is pulling them back towards their ancestral roles and status.
As this unwinds, you see all sorts of bizarre signalling spirals as people fight against the undertow which is pulling them back towards their ancestral roles and status.
44/
Of course, the old caste-cultures have been lost and would be unworkable in any event, having not adapted to new circumstances in the interim; none of us has a workable and dignified role to go back to in a stable (low growth) society.
Of course, the old caste-cultures have been lost and would be unworkable in any event, having not adapted to new circumstances in the interim; none of us has a workable and dignified role to go back to in a stable (low growth) society.
45/
And now also, people are working from a set of maps which were laid down during that historically brief period where the social world was inverted.
And now also, people are working from a set of maps which were laid down during that historically brief period where the social world was inverted.
46/
And this is why I describe the coming decades as I do:
Whatever you think you are, you are going to be taught, painfully, that you are something you have been led to believe is inferior.
And this is why I describe the coming decades as I do:
Whatever you think you are, you are going to be taught, painfully, that you are something you have been led to believe is inferior.
47/
Whatever accomplishments you take pride in, you are going to be mercilessly dragged by historical forces and the desperate flailing of other people until you give them up.
Whatever accomplishments you take pride in, you are going to be mercilessly dragged by historical forces and the desperate flailing of other people until you give them up.
48/
Then, you will have to watch as some outsider dons the skinsuit of your lost identity and is acclaimed as the real thing,
You will watch your children do "worse" then you did, and you will have to learn to be happy for them.
Then, you will have to watch as some outsider dons the skinsuit of your lost identity and is acclaimed as the real thing,
You will watch your children do "worse" then you did, and you will have to learn to be happy for them.
49/
And only when enough people make peace with their seemingly backwards metamorphosis will American society stabilize. Only then will we be ready to build back up the caste cultures and lifeways that make for a stable society.
And only when enough people make peace with their seemingly backwards metamorphosis will American society stabilize. Only then will we be ready to build back up the caste cultures and lifeways that make for a stable society.
50/
And until we all reach that point of acceptance, we will scourge each other mercilessly in terrified self-defense.
And until we all reach that point of acceptance, we will scourge each other mercilessly in terrified self-defense.
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