De-Normalize
Some people act like normalization is the solution to our problems. And I think it's the opposite. Normalization is the problem. It’s time to de-normalize.
I admit it, this is a rant. But it’s a relevant one, about a very specific type of content that I really don't like. It's the "let's normalize" tweets. People tweeting this stuff act like 'normalization' is the solution to some of our problems as a species. And I think it's the opposite.
Normalization is the problem. It's a dangerous use of your time and mind-power. When you say "let's normalize", you internalize a 'need' to seek specific behaviors from others. This might sound harmless (and even benefitial) at first but look deeper into it and it becomes evident that it is a problematic 'need' to have.
Level One
Are email subject lines really something we should work on as a society? Because that's what normalizing implies. And yeah, this tweet might be a joke (I'm not going to stalk this person just to make sure). But what if it wasn't? Would 'more thoughtful email subject lines' make kerdy's life better? How much of their time and energy should they invest into making sure that all the emails they get have 'more thoughtful subject lines'? It's up to them. But that's my point. Is it a good decision to try and control how others write their subject lines? Wouldn't it be easier to just not have a preference?
Level Two
Khaaliya makes a great point! Why wouldn't you put yourself 1st and not last because you're secretly obsessed with what others think about you?! Khaaliya’s point is great at an individual level, but to try and normalize that specific behavior for an entire society? Sounds terrible. Because, maybe, there's a better way to deal with the same problem. Maybe putting yourself 2nd is better. I don't know. Neither do you. Because no one has the monopoly on the truth. So we can only try.
Level Zero
I can tell you about my way and you can try it or not. But it would be pretty stupid to assume that I (or anyone else) have the definitive answer. So definitive, in fact, that it should be the normal.
I'd rather just get rid of the idea of normalcy. Different ways work for different people. And there's no reason to expect my way to be the one that works for you. I can just choose to share and you can choose to try.
I don't have to have the right answer. And neither should you. Unless I am wrong.
Either way, let's de-normalize.