Of classification and claptrap

Interesting isn't it just how addicted we human beings are to pigeon-holing things. It is a dreadful fault and has lead to many misunderstandings, disagreements and yes even wars. I suppose if you consider this Eugenics is the ultimate destination of purposeless classification.

In places it is needed, my original field of work (Biology) uses classification for very valid reasons - it is an assistance in finding the relationships between species, phyla and genus. A way of making sense of very complex relationships.

When it comes to people this form of classification becomes redundant - for we are one species (yes, even men and women [tic]).

So why do we persist? I think it is due to our original tribal nature - knowing who was 'us' and who 'not us' was vital to survival. If you walked up the the wrong caveman and hugged him, it could be a very poor evolutionary choice!

We no longer live in real tribes so we invent 'virtual' ones- my team, my street, my town etc. Sometimes these choices are harmless, sometimes not. It is harmless to be a football fan, but harmful to be a football hooligan.

So what brought this frustration of mine bubbling to the surface? A very simple comment on a reply to a post. The thrust of the reply was 'This is a site for serious writers, may be it doesn't suit you".

Which of course translates to, "This is a site for serious writers [like me], and we may not want 'your sort' here".

BTW just for reference, I was just an observer of both the original piece and the subsequent comment. There also seemed to be the retort that - some people here wish to be published - ah, the *holy grail!*

Well as a purely amateur writer I have no interest in publication at all, but does the desire to be published (and lets face it; being paid is what most people mean) make you 'serious'?
I doubt it personally, it means you want something back - and as people - we all want different things back. Don't get me wrong, I don't criticise those who are driven to be professional, but it is just one of many paths.

So can I be amateur and serious? Oh yes, I can. Can I therefore call myself a serious writer? No. Can any professional writer call themselves serious? No. That is a subjective label and one that can only be applied correctly by one person. The reader.

I wish people would refrain from using their attitude to others as a crutch for their own insecurities. Look for, and celebrate the similarities, for our differences are what make us individuals - not better or worse - just us, ourselves (the one person we are truly stuck with).

Now would that not make for a more tolerant world?