4 ms·
From the article: "In his opening chapter, “Birth”, Varese compares the initiation rituals that are common to almost every mafia organization. He draws from in
by woodandsteel 9y ago
From the article:
"In his opening chapter, “Birth”, Varese compares the initiation rituals that are common to almost every mafia organization. He draws from interviews, autobiographies and police wiretap transcripts in which the gangsters do most of the talking. It is remarkable how close in style, substance and imagery the initiation ceremonies are across cultures – the religious symbolism, the use of tattoos, the omertà, the misogyny and sealing of membership through blood are present among the Yakuza of Japan, the Russian mafia, the Chinese triads and the Sicilian Mafia."
It seems to me mafias are basically tribal societies. That is not surprising as human psychology is basically designed for tribal existence. With complex civilized societies, humans are expected to integrate into something much larger than a simple tribe. However, civilizations often have spaces in which tribes can start up and survive, such as cults and criminal mafias.
- solidsnack9000 9y agoOne striking feature is the depth of trust in these organisations. Many of them function without written records for all or most matters of importance.
- careersuicide 9y agoStringer Bell said it best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBdGOrcUEg8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBdGOrcUEg8
- kartan 9y ago> depth of trust I guess that it's more about the big boss is always right. Written records are needed for a fair observance of contracts. With no fairness, contracts are useless because one side can change them without consecuences. "I'm altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further." Darth Vader.
- solidsnack9000 9y agoMaybe everyone keeps in mind what the boss wants and that aligns incentives even for smaller things?
- xkcd-sucks 9y agoIt's a little disingenuous to characterize it as anachronistic to not fall in line with the One World Order. One reason "alternative power structures" (including families, religions, corporations) arise is because organization is simply necessary to compete with "apex predator" cultures, governments etc., and members of smaller groups often are/feel marginalized. Not that o e ought to feel morally obligated to slow down the pace of social darwinism, but if you are the one getting eaten things look a little different.
- gowld 9y agoGiven the choice, almost everyone prefers the luxuries and comforts that arise from the One World Order.
- taneq 9y agoTrue, but if everyone else cooperates then defecting will give you more of those luxuries and comforts (at least until you get caught).
- labster 9y agoI'm not seeing the part of GP where he calls it anachronistic nor does he call on people to fall in line. All he does is suggest that traditional social structures still thrive despite a power structure that would seek to suppress alternatives.