In another article analyzing themes from Superego, I look into what it means to be “civilized.”
No one expects to be beaten to death by Mr. Peanut. Of course not — the dude wears a top hat and a monocle. And even though he carries a cane and could easily start to bludgeon you with it at any moment, that possibility has never entered your brain, because Mr. Peanut is the picture of civility.
Read. Enjoy. Discuss.
Early Russians were called “the Rus” and as they spread east out of Scandinavia over a thousand years ago, they had a habit of killing every man, woman and child in their path. There was nothing civilized about them. Their conquered territory was called “The Land Of The Rus” and its mention reportedly struck fear in people’s hearts.
Until they traveled to Baghdad and discovered it’s gems and gold, at which point they decided it was better to trade with its inhabitants than to kill them. A civilized decision? Probably not. More likely just expedient.
Is it any wonder then, why, to this very day, Russia is the way it is?
The giveaway to civility – your clothing is decorative, rather than utilitarian.
Hard to beat someone to death in a tux – your shirt might come untucked.
THe civility is just a shell, assault him just right and he will cut you, cut you bad.
The true test of civility is how you treat the uncivil. My blood pressure would be 20 points lower if I were less civil.
On the other hand, with respect to all the uncivilized barbarians out there, my standard policy is “Get off my planet!”
The GUN is civilization.
https://munchkinwrangler.wordpress.com/2007/03/23/why-the-gun-is-civilization/