5/10/2010 Readings: Brin's "Dogma of Otherness"

1. Summary:
The “Dogma of Otherness” article first starts out by discussing the idea of memes, or ideas that live and continue to spread the more individuals think about them and discuss them with others. Brin goes on to discuss the four major worldviews that will have a great say in the future of the world.

The first major worldview is Paranoia. When a society (the given example is Russia) has experienced mass amounts of betrayal and invasion in many generations, the society will become so wary of intruders or traders, they will be inclined to go along with a crazy leader who promises to keep the enemy away. The enemy of paranoia, Brin argues, is peace. If the persistent threatening feelings go away, people will think in terms of comfort.

The second major worldview is Machismo. Brin argues that this worldview is the leading memo in many parts of the world. Wherever women and children are oppressed as well as the surrounding environment suffers because the highlight is of the male dominance. Brin states that “if this meme prevails, we and our planet will die.” Brin cites current (as in 1989 but still applicable to today’s society) examples of this meme in Latin America where a husband is allowed to cheat on his wife; if she were to repeat this act of betrayal with another man, the husband would be expected to kill her. Brin also goes on to say that if/when this meme takes over a country or the world that it would in result to the rise of women. He also argues that when this happens, the real cause (machismo) will be ignored and religion or nationalism will take the fall.

The third major worldview is the East. This meme is primarily made up with the idea of homogeneity or the idea that the individual should give their sense of self to the society or nation. The main idea of this worldview is that an individual (male or female) can move up as long as they do not offend those above them. Brin puts it pretty bluntly when he said “individualism is dangerous. Deviation and eccentricity are worse. The nail that sticks up gets hammered down.” Brin also argues that this meme has a proven track record with the Chinese society – yet we would surely not like it.

The fourth and final major worldview is the Dogma of Otherness. This worldview encourages newness, diversity, and change. Tolerance also plays a huge role in this worldview. Brin states that this meme could be called the West – however this meme does not completely own America or Europe. There are many examples, Brin calls out Californians, of people that still pride themselves on machismo, paranoia, or sameness – instead of diversity and tolerance. Brin does acknowledge that millions of people accept the idea that our institutions are improvable and the best way to accomplish this are through active criticism.

Brin goes on to discuss a war going on between the different worldviews and which would be best and which would not. Although the Otherness worldview would be best if people would like for a variety of religions, politics, etc. to exist, the other three are still extremely prevalent mainly due to people’s insecurities. Brin also discusses how even as he tried to appear unbiased – all readers get the sense that he is for the dogma of otherness and tolerance of diversity.

2. What was interesting/what did you learn:

Brin raises a good point towards the end of the speech by raising the point that he along with many in his audience are intolerant of intolerance – which is quite an amusing paradox. I think this was really an interesting point to make and one that I have never thought about before. I for one am very open to diversity and try to be tolerant of others. I also have extremely little patience for those who are ignorant of other groups and make judgments based on what they have heard/assume.

3. Discussion Point:

In going with what I thought was interesting, I will raise a question that was similar to the one raised in class on Monday. If we were to go with the dogma of otherness meme and live in a society that this was the central idea – would we have to be tolerant of the intolerant? That is, if people choose to be intolerant of some cultures or ideas, would that exclude them from this meme (and therefore this society if we continue with my situation) or would that include them in part of the diversity and as a result, we would have to tolerate their intolerance?