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                 %FORBIDDEN LANGUAGE MEDIUM MESSAGE 860707

     Imagine,  if you can,  a  culture in which  counting,
enumeration,     computation,     arithmetic,     algebra,
trigonometry,  calculus,  etc.   were taboo;   i.e.,   all
quantitative  considerations were unthinkable and not safe
to bring up in respectable circles of the powerful leaders
of the community.   Suppose  the  language of quantitative
considerations  and  all communications which require  the
language   of  quantitative  considerations  were   taboo;
perhaps  because of the troubles and tragedies into  which
mankind  had been lead by people  who specialized in  such
considerations.    Suppose  only subjective  insights  and
languages appropriate  to  the communication of subjective
insights  were permitted  free  expression  in respectable
circles.   If we have  a nuclear war and civilization does
survive,   such  might  be  a  natural  reaction  of   the
survivors.

     How well might such "survivors" be able to survive an
cope in the "objective"  world.   What might be the nature
of  and  cost  of  their handicap due to such an exclusive
focus.  Would it be less severe,  or more severe, than the
handicap imposed upon us by our current paradigm in  which
insights  and language appropriate  to  communications  of
profound  subjective  insights  are taboo  in  respectable
scientific circles.  Would  the survivors of a nuclear war
handicap  themselves  any  more  or less than we  handicap
ourselves by our exclusivity?

     It  is  difficult  to separate  the  medium  and  the
message from each other,  or from the range of experiences
which  occasion  the use of the medium  or  language,   to
convey the messages to  which  the medium  or  language is
suited.    Taboos   pertain  to   the   constellation   of
experiences, medium and messages  which are all intimately
interrelated.   A paradigm which is exclusive in character
must make taboo all  experiences,   languages and messages
which  might threaten  the collusions  of   the  paradigm:
otherwise exclusivity can not be maintained.

     In  the  absence of experiences there is  no need for
language  or messages.   If experiences call for  messages
through need the language will develop.   Familiarity with
language  and  messages  will  elicit  a  desire  for  the
corresponding experiences.   Messages poorly expressed for
lack of an adequate  language will prompt the  development
of a better language.  An exclusive paradigm must maintain
a   collusion  and  enforce  taboos  to  protect   against
threatening mediums, languages, experiences and messages.

                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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