I have adopted any number of terms in my articles as a shorthand for frequently mentioned concepts. Here is a list that might help with any confusion.
The fundamental distinctions:
Loud-Characteristic of one who derives all meaning from society.
Subtle-Characteristic of one who self-defines.
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Correct- In alignment with what the mass society considers desirable.
Incorrect-Out of alignment with what the mass society considers desirable.
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Everything Else:
Absolution- When all the attributes that were once considered flaws by the larger society become virtues in a new society formed by the ‘flawed.’
Accepted, The- Any of those who fit in with the values of the mass society. Especially those who fit in well.
Accepted Orthodoxy- Aspects, values of the mass society that are so deeply ingrained that they are not questioned/taken as absolute truth.
Collective Checkmate- When one cannot deviate because they are surrounded by their neighbors. When one’s neighbors cannot deviate from acting against deviation because they are surrounded in turn by their neighbors… and so on…
Commonality Audit- When one who belongs checks for like alignment, usually through nosy questions or a test of some kind.
When someone checks whether you are ‘normal.’
Grading Card, The- The theoretical perfect profile of personal traits that arises in aggregate from mass society. Every person is measured against this grading card, the result is their grade, their level of Social Congruency.
Friction of Association-The amount of personal autonomy the members of a society must sacrifice to one another.
Mindless Tyrant- If no one person or group really controls the properties of the society that they live in, then everyone is at the mercy of whatever properties randomly emerge from the social system. In effect, there is a mindless tyrant that rules over their lives. If the mindless tyrant that emerges from mass society says ‘floppy hats are in this autumn.’ Everyone must comply. If they did not comply, they will be crushed/overridden by millions more who do. See Redundancy Cushioning.
Redundancy Cushioning- The principle that no one person or group of people can make real changes or have lasting influence over the mass society because no one is a critical component of the society. Every social function is backed up many times over. The social machine can keep running just as before even if someone refuses to cooperate. Since no one is in control, the sum of the arbitrary, emergent aggregate properties of the society are themselves effectively the ruler. See Mindless Tyrant.
Social Censure- The disapproval and punishment one receives for not adhering to an arbitrary yet widely accepted social standard.
Social Choreography- The standard set of body language, facial expression of each culture. i.e. British stiff upper lip. In the normal socialization process, most people adopt these norms without even being aware of them. Introvert outcasts often do not due to abnormal socialization. Thus, many people can identify an outcast because of their Incorrect social choreography. They mostly perceive it as ‘just a feeling’ without even knowing why, but nevertheless it makes masquerading in mainstream society extremely difficult.
Social Congruency- The degree to which one is in alignment with traits considered desirable by the mass society.
Social Ghost- The sum of all massively adopted social standards. It has no material existence yet is one of the most powerful influences in our lives. It restrains and determines human behavior as surely as if it were a series of solid barriers.
Surface- The immediately visible exterior of society, the realm of orthodox social standards.
Void-All that lies outside of mass society
