Friends of mine have occasionally observed what they consider to be a conspiratorial flavor to some of my opinions. To my mind, I am as much (or as little) of a conspiracy-theorist as was Ralph Waldo Emerson. Recall that it was Emerson who remarked (in "Self-Reliance," I believe), that "society everywhere is a conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members." It is very difficult to see through the flotsam and jetsam of everyday life to the scaffolding which causes things to hang together in precisely the way in which they do. Many people who attempt to do so fail to keep in mind the complexity of the issues involved and the sheer randomness and therefore unaccountability of much that takes place in the world. It was upon this very basis that I originally rejected Noam Chomsky's notion of the "manufacture of consent." I came away from my first viewing of that film thinking that the great linguist had finally gone 'round the bend. On further reflection, however, I began to recognize that there is a world of difference (and nuance) between Chomsky's analysis of what finds its way into the dominant narrative (what we often call "common knowledge") about such things as the Iraq War or the conflict over the Occupied Territories and, say, the Arab Street's paranoia about the hidden hand of the Israeli government behind everything that goes wrong in this world.
It is significant, in fact, that Chomsky is a linguist; for, as a linguist, Chomsky understands the socially constructed nature of human communication and the constraints which discursive patterns place upon one's conceptual field. Indeed, we all operate within a nexus of constraints: sticks and carrots, paths of greater and lesser resistance, rules, laws, habits, customs, mores--one's personal freedom is at all times and everywhere circumscribed. Depending upon what one wants to do, the noose of circumscription is either loosened or tightened by anyone willing to take the initiative to do so.
What'll it be? Coke or Pepsi?
"Sprite."
Ha ha. Very clever. Guess what? It's a Coca-Cola product.
"Alright, then, smart guy: Mountain Dew."
Sorry. PepsiCo.
"Dr. Pepper then."
Depends upon where you're going to drink it. Coca-Cola holds most non-U.S. rights to the good doctor.
"Seven Up?"
Actually merged with Dr. Pepper. But again, it depends upon where you plan to drink it. PepsiCo holds most non-U.S. rights to the Uncola.
But this isn't about soft drinks anyway. It's about one's willingness to challenge the prevailing paradigm regarding war and peace.
And one thing is certain: We are ALL at liberty to NOT challenge the prevailing paradigm.
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