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by mensetmanusman 997 days ago
Yes, this is a modern post Industrial Revolution phenomenon.

In the distant past, when you met someone new, they asked who you are in relation to your tribe and family.

Now, they ask what you do for the economy as an economic unit.

It’s fun to rebel against the current culture by asking someone who they are instead of what they do.
3 comments
steve_adams_86 997 days ago
Something I find sad about this is that many people really don’t know how to think about themselves in that context; in this way we aren’t a someone to other people so much as a something.

I know this isn’t a firm rule, but there are many people in my life who I’m certain wouldn’t have a good grasp of how they fit into their family and community beyond fairly superficial platitudes.

Maybe this has been true in the past as well. I wouldn’t know.

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OhtaniSan 997 days ago
Back then almost everyone was a peasant so you wouldn't get any information about their interests, social status, etc. from just their career like you (somewhat) do now.
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Gamemaster1379 996 days ago
People still do this in small US towns. Your last name defines who you are to the town heritage. If you have the wrong last name, then you don't matter.

As non-contrarian as it sounds, I'd argue that as someone who came from a small town, having to define yourself by your "tribe" last name is worse, because if it the "wrong" last name, there's nothing you can do about it. You can, within reason, change what you do for a living.

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mensetmanusman 995 days ago
Discrimination due to one’s family history is not a requisite for caring about who someone is.

They have often gone hand in hand though, just as for example lawyers will discriminate against you if you aren’t elite educated.

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raverbashing 997 days ago
"rebel against the current culture"

No, I think it's more fun to rebel against the older culture of inbred villages and oppressive tradition

Yes thanks, judge me by what I do, not because some and some other people I barely care about

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mensetmanusman 997 days ago
Hey man, as long as you know what you are rebelling against.

Sometimes it is illuminating to see if you aren’t running into a wall though.

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