Monday, April 28, 2008

Another weird question

Things that are “taboo” are things that society frowns upon, irrespective of the legality or morality of the act. The very word ”taboo” means:

1. proscribed by society as improper or unacceptable: taboo words.
2. (among the Polynesians and other peoples of the South Pacific) separated or set apart as sacred; forbidden for general use; placed under a prohibition or ban.

This implies that discussion of sacred things are also considered taboo. Such as the discussion as to whether Jesus died a virgin. Or whether Mohammed was nothing more than a pedophile goat farmer with delusions of Godhood.

But this brings me to my question.

What is the most ill-considered taboo in society today? I’m not talking about Muslim culture where a woman isn’t allowed to leave home without a male escort, or Esquimaux culture where it is considered rude to refuse to sleep with your host’s wife. I mean current Western (American) culture. Such as allowing high levels of violence on Saturday morning cartoons but forbidding the word “fuck” or a bare breast except on cable TV.

What is your personal fave among the weirdest taboos of our culture?