Nov

3

DASThe Chair's tongue in cheek blaming his parents for predestinating him to have a blind spot for con men reminds me of what I call "The Doctrine of Acceptable Sins". If the list will indulge my breech of etiquette to briefly talk of religion to explain this "doctrine". As a Preacher Kid whose Father moved around a lot, I got to visit many churches of all denominations in many small towns. And like sausage making, and legislation writing the personal problems and inter working of a congregation are not stuff for young children to view. However, it would appear that most congregations develop an unwritten code that certain sins would be acceptable and nobody would mention them. For example the Baptist deacons might be all obese, the Church of Christ leaders would light up before reaching their cars and the Lutherans maybe the town gossips and the Catholics maybe the gamblers. Of course those of the other congregations and the heathen could easily spot the others flaws. Malcolm Gladwell, in his book Tipping Point suggest that we, as social creatures are thought to look away, and ignore certain tale-tale signs of humanity.He explains that con men and politicians are experts at understanding what these blind spots or acceptable sins are. See Steve Ellison post one of the anecdotes he uses about Bill Clinton: www.daily speculations.com/word press/?p=3692 While there undoubtedly is some truth to the chair's implications, that upbringing and acceptable way of looking at the world leaves some spots more open than others to becoming blind spots. It would appear that perhaps, it is acceptance amongst the family, the congregation, the community or the era, that allows one to over look The unquestioning acceptance appear to be the reason the congregations, the con men and politicians love these blind spots. They are one of the most binding glues in society, agreed upon dysfunctions. From such serious offenses like slavery, prejudices, spousal or child abuse to light hearted, teen fashion of slovenliness, the agreed upon dysfunction can be difficult or impossible to break as they somehow become how "we" define ourselves. It maybe the world view that leads one to a particular blind spot, but all have them, no matter the world view. But it is those that can see through the fog, and control these weaknesses that are the great and successful. And as for the con man as parents, perhaps they have the most dreadful blind spot leading to certain failure. The blind spot that to get ahead you have to cheat others. The cynicism that all success and relationships are built on angling against others problem, not coordinating with their strengths.

Jeff Rollert reflects:

As having had similar "church" experiences, it makes you very, very cynical, towards humanity in general. The natural conclusion being that there is very very little nobility in leadership. The only answer to this I have personally found is to engage leadership to attempt to limit (but without hope of eliminating) the collateral damage.

Stefan Jovanovich comments:

Fred de Cordova, the producer of the Tonight Show when Johnny Carson was behind the desk, was raised by a pair of con artists. He tells the story of how, when he became successful, he paid his parents to stop grifting. His autobiography Johnny Came Lately is worth reading for that part alone.


Comments

Name

Email

Website

Speak your mind

Archives

Resources & Links

Search