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Re-cognizing the qinner gameq of humanitarian agencies: qastrological systematicsq?
Systematic Humanitarian Blackmail via Aquarius? (Part #7)
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In framing their humanitarian intervention under the banner of Aquarius, the image management for the media merits recognition as characteristic of a form of humanitarian memetic warfare against unconsulted peoples. This can be seen as deliberately "pulling on their heart strings" through their susceptibility to being readily "seduced" by the imagery deployed. This applies as much to the "horrors" of the conflict arenas as to the promoted "dream" of Europe as a destination.
Construed as flying a singular symbolic flag to ensure full-spectrum dominance of moral discourse, "Aquarius" then justifies a systemic response in terms of the exploited symbol system -- irrespective of how it may be deprecated in other contexts. The singularity of the symbolic banner appropriately recalls the insight of policy scientist Geoffrey Vickers: A trap is a function of the nature of the trapped (Freedom in a Rocking Boat: changing values in an unstable society, 1972).
An "Aquarian" perspective can then be understood as a particular systemic trap which calls for a requisite variety of compensatory functions to counterbalance its limitations. The traditional characteristics of the other signs of the 12-fold pattern of the zodiac can therefore be used as mnemonic indicators of the necessary alternative perspectives. The issue is the other players in the memetic wargame which Aquarius has engendered -- and the strategies they may typically choose to employ. (Memetic wargaming has already been anticipated in online gaming)
The argument for this approach does not derive from any astrological preoccupation, but rather from the manner in which patterns of personality and functional types may be distinguished to be of relevance to the viability of any system (Systems of Categories Distinguishing Cultural Biases, 1993). It is of less consequence whether 6, 7, 8, 9, or 12 types are distinguished, as in the following:
- Edward de Bono: Six Thinking Hats: an essential approach to business management (1985): Six Frames For Thinking About Information (2008)
- Magoroh Maruyama: Mindscapes, social patterns and future development of scientific theory types (1980)
- Howard Gardner: Frames of Mind: the theory of multiple intelligences (1984)
- Will McWhinney: Paths of Change: strategic choices for organizations and society. (1991)
- Geert Hofstede: Culture's Consequences: international diffrences in work-related values (1984)
- W. T. Jones: The Romantic Syndrome: toward a new method in cultural anthropology and the history of ideas (1961)
- A. G. E. Blake: The Intelligent Enneagram (1996)
- Meredith Belbin: Team Role Inventories (1981)
- Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
Of greater relevance is the degree of variety which each endeavours to distinguish -- however clustered -- and the complementarity this is held to imply, as with pantheons of deities of yore. In this sense the astrological pattern is merely one example in terms of which the particular function of "Aquarius" can be recognized -- together with its constraints as "a trap". An insightful exploration of the astrological pattern in terms of learning cycles has however been made by Arthur M. Young (Geometry of Meaning, 1976), as discussed with respect to strategy (Typology of 12 complementary strategies essential to sustainable development, 1998).
In that spirit, the constrained role of "Aquarius" may therefore be tentatively highlighted in relation to the other signs as follows, each associated below with one of the 12 traditional Labours of Hercules. Such an association serves to further emphasize the play on symbolism by which future policy may be influenced. Recent use of the traditional modality of fables to reframe strategic dilemmas is variously evident (Dick McCann, Aesop's Management Fables, 1997; Russell Ackoff, Ackoff's Fables: irreverent reflections on business and bureaucracy, 1991; Jonathan H. Klein, Ackoff's Fables revisited: stories to inform operational research practice, Omega, 37, 2009, 2).
| Juxtaposition of constructive and destructive characteristics | ||
| "Constructive" characteristics | "Destructive" characteristics | |
|
| |
| Systemic feedback | Supportive/Complementary/Aiding/Abetting: Gemini, Libra | Opposition/Aggravation/Undermining: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio |
| Fable: Clean the Augean stables | ||
|
| |
| Systemic feedback | Supportive/Complementary/Aiding/Abetting: Cancer, Scorpio | Opposition/Aggravation/Undermining: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, |
| Fable: Capture the red cattle of Geryon | ||
|
| |
| Systemic feedback | Supportive/Complementary/Aiding/Abetting: Leo, Sagittarius | Opposition/Aggravation/Undermining: Cancer, Libra, Capricorn |
| Fable: Capture of Man-easting Mares | ||
|
| |
| Systemic feedback | Supportive/Complementary/Aiding/Abetting: Virgo, Capricorn | Opposition/Aggravation/Undermining: Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius |
| Fable: Capture of the Cretan Bull | ||
|
| |
| Systemic feedback | Supportive/Complementary/Aiding/Abetting: Libra, Aquarius | Opposition/Aggravation/Undermining: Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces |
| Fable: Steal the apples of the Hesperides | ||
|
| |
| Systemic feedback | Supportive/Complementary/Aiding/Abetting: Scorpio, Pisces | Opposition/Aggravation/Undermining: Aries, Libra, Capricorn |
| Fable: Capture the Ceryneian Hind | ||
|
| |
| Systemic feedback | Supportive/Complementary/Aiding/Abetting: Aries, Sagittarius | Opposition/Aggravation/Undermining: Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius |
| Fable: Slay the Nemean lion | ||
|
| |
| Systemic feedback | Supportive/Complementary/Aiding/Abetting: Taurus, Capricorn | Opposition/Aggravation/Undermining: Gemini, Sagittarius, Pisces |
| Fable: Obtain the girdle of Hippolyta | ||
|
| |
| Systemic feedback | Supportive/Complementary/Aiding/Abetting: Gemini, Aquarius | Opposition/Aggravation/Undermining: Aries, Cancer, Capricorn |
| Fable: Capture the Erymanthian Boar | ||
|
|
|
|
| Systemic feedback | Supportive/Complementary/Aiding/Abetting: Cancer, Pisces | Opposition/Aggravation/Undermining: Taurus, Leo, Aquarius |
| Fable: Slay the nine-headed Lernaean Hydra | ||
|
| |
| Systemic feedback | Supportive/Complementary/Aiding/Abetting: Aries, Leo | Opposition/Aggravation/Undermining: Gemini, Virgo, Pisces |
| Fable: Slay the Stymphalian birds | ||
|
| |
| Systemic feedback | Supportive/Complementary/Aiding/Abetting: Taurus, Virgo | Opposition/Aggravation/Undermining: Aries, Cancer, Libra |
| Fable: Capture and bring back Cerberus | ||
Within that framework, of interest is the assessment of the capacity of Aquarius for emotional blackmail, as presented by Ruby Miranda (Zodiac Signs That Are Scarily Good At Emotional Blackmail (So Watch Out), Your Tango):
One wouldn't automatically assume Aquarius has much manipulative power to them, but shocker time: Aquarians make the most manipulative and cruel emotional sadists on earth. The thing is, if you're in the way of them getting what they want, even if it's YOU that they want, they'll hurt you. They'll cut you up with their emotional knives and you'll bleed your heart out, wondering how anyone could be THAT conscience-free.
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