Bonus Step: Choosing a Culture
In the years following this book’s initial publication we have had a chance to speak with many readers. A common theme that arises in conversation is discomfort with the role culture plays in readers’ lives, be it a parent’s culture, a religious culture, an ancestral culture, or an adopted culture.
We define culture as an interlocking set of values and schema about the world that interact with superficial identifiers such as accents, mannerisms, and fashion. Culture can play an important role in how we conceptualize our place in the world.
The right culture can help you (and your family) internalize and strengthen certain elements of your identity. Cohesive cultures provide a series of cues reminding you about your objective function and ideologies. Culture can influence your autopilot behaviour, even when you are forced to operate in suboptimal conditions.
Think of culture as the costumes and props on a movie or theatrical set. These elements alone will not create a compelling performance, but they certainly help.
Culture enters people’s lives through a variety of interweaving pathways. While religious and ethnic cultures dominate, cultures born from discrimination and temporary developmental stages also have significant sway, plus many choose to develop cultures of their own, intentionally establishing new traditions for themselves and their kin.
For a far more in-depth exploration of culture and religion, their effects on adherents, and important things to consider when reinforcing an existing culture or religion (or creating something new from whole cloth or a patchwork of different sources), check out The Pragmatist’s Guide to Crafting Religion.