Language as a political system that
can be exploited to create a social hierarchy is not an idea I’ve had presented
to me in the past. Of course, it makes perfect sense. Who has what language is
a powerful hierarchy I have experienced most of my life. Growing up I could
recognize adults that were well spoken and articulate with a vast vocabulary
must be intelligent people. Never did I consider about who had access to
obtaining such skill sets. I am not a particularly strong writer myself; this
is something I’ve been working to improve. But I do have access to easily
improve these skill sets with a little work. This article made me consider what
other system could be viewed in this way.
Aesthetics. For sometime now I’ve
been thinking about our idea of aesthetics. For the sake of this I will use a
working definition as aesthetics being the beauty of design. Art students are
taught rules of composition, color, and design. Now given following these
systems can help you produce an artistic result that fits within a historical
reference of what good design and art looks like. Artists are also taught to
break these rules. But you are taught to break them from the perspective of the
rule itself. Which means it is still serving a function within the system, whoever
knows the “rules” of what makes acceptable ideas about aesthetics is the better
artist.
The real problem with this system
goes beyond those who have access to knowledge sets. When one certain language,
or concept of aesthetics is allowed to be viewed supreme within a hierarchy, it
becomes what is strived for. Not new thinking itself, or different ways of seeing, but a already prebuilt pedestal,
I believe this ultimately halts the opportunity for new ways of thinking,
seeing, and interpreting our world.
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