MANUFACTURING CONTROVERSY

Simon Sheppard:

"Defining a subject as controversial is the means by which neurosis is induced. When some subjects are raised, certainly publicly, they are treated as contentious, and a reaction like ink being expelled by an octopus ensues. A taboo is instituted and by this means, raising the topic is made costly. Once the taboo is established, perception of the issue can be altered in a tendentious way, and the alteration of perception will always be in a direction which is favourable to the neurosis-inducer. Rational discourse on the topic can then become practically impossible, for the traps awaiting a person uttering an unpalatable truth are many. Exactly the same process operates with the inhibition of humour, because humour acts as a release of neurotic tension."

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