Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id MAA04410 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Thu, 25 May 2000 12:03:40 +0100 Message-ID: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D3101745876@inchna.stir.ac.uk> From: Vincent Campbell <v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk> To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: Shaving Date: Thu, 25 May 2000 12:01:37 +0100 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Content-Type: text/plain Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
In a way what we're talking about here is semiotics- the denotative function
of beards- what do they stand for.
Chuck's example of increasing head size to improve status (this works for
hats too presumably), or covering facial expression to hide emotion, seems
reasonable.
Your example offers an equally interesting and no less reasonable
explanation, in that bearded people give an attacker an advantage, so it can
be worn now as a mark of pacificism.
I believe in Japan beards aren't highly thought of, in terms of social
status (one of my students told me about a controversial news presenter who
came back off a long break with a beard, and their was much public debate
about it).
It's also seen in some societies as a mark of wisdom (hence lots of
academics have them).
In the recent contest for the first ever elected London mayor, the
government's candidate (who lost by a huge amount incidentally) had a beard,
and it emerged early in the campaign that the government's spin doctors had
tried to persuade the candidate to shave his beard off, because it wasn't
seen as a good 'look' for a politician.
But, and here's my question, finally, what about those of us who can't grow
beards? I can get long stubble but never a full beard. Does this mean I'm
semiotically trapped into being low status and/or agressive in Western
societies, but acceptable in Japan?
Another interesting aspect of marginalia in human behaviour which seems to
offer massive variety in potential meaning- so why do some meanings persist
and not others?
Vincent
> ----------
> From: Wade T.Smith
> Reply To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
> Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2000 6:17 am
> To: Memetics Discussion List
> Subject: Re: Shaving
>
> >I'm
> >pretty sure there is a history of beards - it may be mixed in with
> clothing.
>
> There is really only one reason I wear a beard, and have, since I could,
> which has been about 30 years now.
>
> And it is an old reason.
>
> And, as far as I know, it is historically correct.
>
> And the reason is this- Alexander was the first to command that his
> soldiers shave their beards, since having a beard provided an enemy, in
> the type of close quarter fighting that was common with swords and hand
> weapons, a purchase, a handle, especially to raise the chin for the
> purpose of throat cutting. So, a soldier in Alexander's army was
> close-shaven.
>
> And so, to me, the beard has always been the mark of the pacifist.
>
> And that is why I wear one.
>
> - Wade
>
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This was distributed via the memetics list associated with the
Journal of Memetics - Evolutionary Models of Information Transmission
For information about the journal and the list (e.g. unsubscribing)
see: http://www.cpm.mmu.ac.uk/jom-emit
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