Went to an inner-west party recently where late-night discussion turned to Thoreau and Emerson, rebellious utopian 19th-century communes, and Amish transcendentalism.
What keeps Amish society together? (from here)
Transcendence: making the individual feel like an integral part of the larger organisation.
Persecution strengthens bonds. Hostility from outside world increases unity.
“Worldy” people are thrown out.
Different language and dress increase isolation and separation.
Living in rural areas to be separate. Encouraged to feel fearful of the “evil world outside”.
The Ordnung, a “provision of behavioural norms” following the “authority of the eternal yesterday” – strong traditions.
After a rambling in-depth discussion, pizzas were ordered at 1am. Then a fight broke out because someone commandeered the computer and overrode the host’s Playlist. “You’re not following my Playlist!” cried J. It’s his party and he’ll cry …
Pizzas arrived. A food fight broke out.
Went home and found cupcake squished between my toes.
Cotton Ward 