Institutions have the pathetic megalomania of the computer whose whole vision of the world is its own program. Mary Douglas More Quotes by Mary Douglas More Quotes From Mary Douglas If you want to change the culture, you will have to start by changing the organization. Mary Douglas organizationchangeculture Where there is dirt there is system. Dirt is the byproduct of a systematic ordering and classification of matter. Mary Douglas systematicdirtmatter If we can abstract pathogenicity and hygiene from our notion of dirt, we are left with the old definition of dirt as matter out of place. This is a very suggestive approach. It implies two conditions: a set of ordered relations and a contrevention of that order. Dirt then, is never a unique, isolated event. Where there is dirt there is a system. Dirt is the by-product of a systematic ordering and classification of matter, in so far as ordering involves rejecting inappropriate elements. Mary Douglas hygieneuniqueorder The human body is always treated as an image of society. Mary Douglas human-bodytreatedbody Hierarchy works well in a stable environment. Mary Douglas hierarchywellsenvironment I have increasingly, over the years, felt that religion today does our civilization more harm than good. Mary Douglas doecivilizationyears I am sure it must be true that people opt out of the mainstream society because they feel that there are going to be no rewards for them, if they stay. Mary Douglas mainstream-societyrewardspeople Behind a leader there must be followers, but they should always be on the lookout for the main chance and ready to change sides if the current leader doesn't deliver. Mary Douglas followersleadershipsides The theory of cultural bias... is the idea that a culture is based on a particular form of organization. It can't be transplanted except to another variant of that organization. Mary Douglas prejudiceorganizationideas Without the letters of condolence, telegrams of congratulations and even occasional postcards, the friendship of a separated friend is not a social reality. It has no existence without the rites of friendship. Social rituals create a reality which would be nothing without them. Mary Douglas congratulationscondolencesreality Yes, disappointment over perceived unfairness, injustice, promises not kept, tends to go hand in hand with increasing prosperity. Expectations are dashed. What can I say! Mary Douglas disappointmentexpectationshands It seems true that the growth of science and secularism made organized Christianity feel under threat. Mary Douglas growthchristianmade I am convinced that living in an enclave shapes the personality, and living alone shapes the personality too. Mary Douglas living-aloneshapespersonality Our technological infrastructure alienates us from each other. No need to form a workplace community, everybody there will be out in a year or two, and so will you, looking for a better place. Mary Douglas safetytwoyears Enclave life becomes very tense, Even when they do elect a leader, the factions remain, with the threat of splitting off. Mary Douglas tensefactionsleader Inequality can have a bad downside, but equality, for its part, sure does get in the way of coordination. Mary Douglas equalitydoeway Islam is in principle egalitarian, and has always had problems with power. Mary Douglas egalitarianismislamprinciples Every year the progress of advanced capitalist society makes our population consist of more and more isolates. This is because of the infrastructure of the economy, especially electronic communications. Mary Douglas progresscommunicationyears Inside a religious body you get sects and hierarchies, inside an information network you get bazaars and cathedrals, it is the same, call them what you like. They survive by pointing the finger of blame at each other. Mary Douglas bazaarsbodyreligious Some scholars have been arguing that a civilizational clash between organized religions is the next step in human history. Mary Douglas nextarguingsteps
