According to the University of Chicago's glossary, collective consciousness "implies an internal knowing known by all, or a consciousness shared by a plurality of persons... it [is] an idea or proclivity that we all share, whoever specifically “we” might entail."
For us at Andover, our collective consciousness could be the knowledge that winter term sucks, that 5th lunch is the busiest, and that sitting in Lower Right as a freshman is, well, risky. This knowledge helps us identify with Andover and its community; they let us know that yes, we go here, and to some degree, we belong.
But what happens when you can't rely on what you thought you knew?
That's what happens to the Dai Viet girls Catherine and Johanna in "The Waiting Stars" by Aliette de Bodard as they slowly discover the falsehoods of their past and present. The collective consciousness they carried with them begins to fall apart as they realize their community is built on lies. I can't imagine what that would be like - to lose not only my identity, but my identity as a part of a community as well.
http://csmt.uchicago.edu/glossary2004/collectiveconsciousness.htm
I don't really have a formal comment to post here, but Jen this post is my favorite from this week!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tiffany!! :)
DeleteThis idea of collective consciousness is so cool. The first example that comes to mind for this idea is "keeping to the right". By law, we are forced to drive on the right (direction) side of the street in the United States...hopefully most people know this. But have you noticed that when walking on the side walk everyone stays on their right side of the path? Or when there are two doors, people walk in and out through he right doors? Is this collective consciousness?
ReplyDeleteHave fun in Hawaii!
Dylan Norris
WOAH.
Delete*mind explodes*