Utopian
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Movements, especially those of cultural and sometime of political content, generally take on a superficial exterior characterization, as identity, appearance and fashion, mannerisms, perhaps language or codes of behavior. All who embrace the movements tenants, may be expected to conform, or may wish
to conform to these superficialities, as a means to express their new philosophy and to be integral to the movement. This identifies and separates those in the movement from the general population and is and outer expression and characterization of the inner philosophy. As a movement grows in size and popularity, there is a tendency of emigres to the movement, to take on the exterior appearance, without ever embracing the underlying philosophy or understanding it, or if there is a cursory understanding, to act the part only such as weekend warriors, but not to actually live it. For a movement to be successful in the long term, it must impart a philosophy, in which the participants are truly changed by
it and adopt its convictions. But since it is easy to dress up and difficult to make personal psychological changes, movements may tend to degenerate very quickly into fashion extravaganzas.
For a movement to be truly viable, it needs an economic base independent of
the outer culture. This is very difficult if not impossible, and is the nucleus of the downfall of most movements. Everything is already owned. Movement members
must rent or buy. Committed members will rent and work part time where the
rent is cheap. However they will always be subject to the whims of the property
owners, who are almost always not subscribers to the movement. Members
who buy property as individuals on credit, will become fully committed to the maintenance of the property, and will have less and less time for the movement.
Some movement based people will start their own businesses, that cater to
the needs and wants of other members of the movement, and will hire other
members exclusively. Many members of movements, being of a practical bent
will be seemingly committed to the ideals of the movement, but will want to
exploit its existence for commercial purposes. Many of these types are more interested, albeit it may be unconscious, in the progressive accumulation of
the accomplishments of money, than they are the movements tenants.
MOVEMENTS (3 OF 8)
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