Welcome to the Wakefield Doctrine (the theory of clarks, scotts and rogers)

the Towers, Narragansett RI

Back in the first couple of years of this blog, when I found myself with no ideas, insights or themes on which to base a Post, I’d say to myself, ‘hey! propose something extreme or controversial and then, just write your way out of it.’

With the increase of the number of people well-versed in the Wakefield Doctrine, that ambition, (to shock or titillate the Readers), is not so easy. No matter what I might say, the basis of the theory of clarks, scotts and rogers remains the same, i.e. that we, all of us and everyone you know is either:

1. an Outsider (similar in temperament to marmosets and (other) prehistoric proto-mamalians intent upon overthrowing the dynasty of the much more ferocious and aggressive and better-equipped-to-survive-and-flourish dinosaurs) or
2. a Predator, (either a sleek and sexy lion/tigeress/wolves …or that kid with all D’s and F’s on his report card but a combined SAT score north of 1500 which, somehow, is not convincing him not to sign up for voc-ed courses like Cars-are-Like-Girls-except-easier-to-understand 101 and Wood Shop without prosthetics… at least the female Predator spends her time practicing her hunting skills, since her competition, with the exception of the substitute French Teacher with the stiletto heels and the Mont Blanc fountain pen chip on his shoulder, is so out-classed as to be laughable) or,
3. as the majority of the population will clearly be seen as Herd Members, these are the people who personify and manifest the collective conscious (both genuine and TV-commercial-based, which is the only explanation for how otherwise reasonably discerning and intelligent people can watch a commercial for a cleaning product demonstrating the superior qualities of a vacuum cleaner that weighs 132 lbs, has an attachment designed and placed to always catch on the operator’s pants pocket in a house that is surely 5,000 square feet of living space, a demographic that is comfortably situated between, ‘successful entrepreneur and lottery winner’. But, hey, you can identify with the millionaire athlete or the Victoria’s Secret model-thing, right?)

…enough of that! (Time to write my way out of this)…

personal reality: the way things feel to you in a given situation. (note: I did not say, ‘the way you feel in a situation’, this is something entirely different… this is about the job interview that you are afraid of going to, not because you won’t get the job, rather because you will be marked as ‘not good enough’ by people who you will never again meet in your entire life; it’s that girl you meet that says something that you’re sure no one understood and yet, you can’t bring yourself to express that to her….; it’s your one child you know is simply acting out appropriately for the age he is (the books and all your friends say it’s so), that somehow makes you mad that you can’t do anything to change things and spare with the inevitable unpleasantness

worldview(s): how you relate yourself to the world around you today (note: I did not say, ‘how you relate to the world around you, this is something entirely different… this about how you can’t just sit still, because….well….because you can’t!!; this is about knowing that you’re not really that bad or different or unlikable and people don’t seem to mind you, but every now and then you stop and think, ‘why can’t I just be a real person’

predominant worldview (aka ‘personality type):  we all grow up and develop our coping skills and life strategies in one of three personal realities. The way we act, what some would call our personality type, is simply the best way we could manage the world as it is (…for us):

• as an Outsider (clark) we stay in the background, the better not to be picked on or disappoint those who seem to have such an interest in what we do, like our parents and family, spouse or children. We know that we must learn as many things as possible, as many different things as possible, simply because among these countless things of the world and in our life, may be the one thing that will allow is to learn how to be a real person
• as a Predator (scott) we never stop moving, even when we’re asleep! Picture the puppy after a long day of chasing and playing…sure she’s asleep, but every now and then the legs move, sometimes the lip curls as the world continues to play in her mind… running and chasing prey and running and fleeing from other predators… it’s all good, because life is meant to be engaged in, not thought about
• as the Herd Member (roger) life is good and sufficient… if only you can be as good and clearly reflecting the high standards that you imagine you know

OK off to work