It's the same rhetoric as back then — Noblosh

‘Hardened poor people’: there’s something very interesting to me in this post of Christian2017. ‘Post modernism’ seems to have been an idea that rode right over the lives of what was once called ‘the common man’, and which the common man saw as another shibboleth they would have to endure. — Brett

ONe aspect of postmodernism was the idea that there isn't high and low art, just art, which opened the door to all sorts of things not really considered art: anything from comics to soap operas to advertising to pop music. In this the common man was respected, at least un-disrespected, because his or her tastes were no longer low, they were just tastes. — Coben

I don’t think that’s enough of a description of post modernism as it relates to ‘the common man’ or anyone for that matter. — Brett

“ ... postmodernism is generally defined by an attitude of skepticism, irony, or rejection of the grand narratives and ideologies of

modernism

... common targets of postmodern critique include universalist notions of objective reality, morality, truth, human nature, reason, language, and social progress. Postmodern thinkers frequently call attention to the contingent or socially-conditioned nature of knowledge claims and value systems, situating them as products of particular political, historical, or cultural discourses and hierarchies. Accordingly, postmodern thought is broadly characterized by tendencies to self-referentiality, epistemological and moral relativism, pluralism, and irreverence.” Wikipedia — Brett

My emphasis added to the quote above on Modernism. Modernism, in general, includes the activities and creations of those who felt the traditional forms of art, architecture, literature, religious faith, philosophy, social organization, activities of daily life, and sciences, were becoming ill-fitted to their tasks and outdated in the new economic, social, and political environment of an emerging fully industrialized world.

Though it seems reasonably clear to me that the nature of post modernism would have little relationship to his daily life, or benefit, and that he’s seen many groups who know what’s better for him fall away and he still remains. — Brett

I started what you quoted with 'one aspect' I later gave a couple of examples of how postmodernism, in more charged areas does not necessarily go against 'the common man'.. — Coben

common targets of postmodern critique include universalist notions of objective reality, morality, truth, human nature, reason, language, and social progress. Postmodern thinkers frequently call attention to the contingent or socially-conditioned nature of knowledge claims and value systems, situating them as products of particular political, historical, or cultural discourses and hierarchies. — Brett

And this description includes attitudes that the common man has. Skepticism about progress, rejection of many grand narratives. The common man is often cynical of politics in general. And certainly critical of the grand narratives of modernism.... — Coben

Modernism is a very intellectual movement and the common man and postmodernism share a criticism of it. At least, often they do. Sometimes, as I pointed out, the common man will agree whole heartedly with postmodernism's acceptance of their tastes as just as valid as elite tastes. — Coben

It is pretty much inherent in postmodernism, though some adherent may not be consistent about it, that people cannot possibly tell other what is better for them. — Coben

Of course you’re right, but that does not mean it isn’t happening right now. Refer back to my quote about the Australian elections. — Brett

There’s a feeling around that the common man is no longer needed, that he’s a impediment to what we should be. Yet every group with pretensions to power use him as a tool for success and then turn away when they achieve their objective. — Brett

I don't see leftist politics as postmodern. — Coben

I tend to interpret the ‘common man’ as simply a lack of self-reflection. — Possibility

‘Hardened poor people’: — Brett

The ‘common man’ has always been there and endured it all. — Brett

The "common man" with his "common sense" — Noblosh

when the common man follow an authority closely (like, say, the church) this may — Coben

Sometimes, when the common man follow an authority closely (like, say, the church) this may be insulting to them. — Coben

As well, I only brought up post modernism as one of many ‘isms’ the ‘common man’ has seen and go. Though it seems reasonably clear to me that the nature of post modernism would have little relationship to his daily life, or benefit, and that he’s seen many groups who know what’s better for him fall away and he still remains. — Brett

And this description includes attitudes that the common man has. Skepticism about progress, rejection of many grand narratives. The common man is often cynical of politics in general. And certainly critical of the grand narratives of modernism.... — Coben

Many common men and women did not like modernism and dislike the moves away from traditional art forms - and realism - and traditional ideas about religious faith. They did not do this from a postmodernist viewpoint, but from their own. Modernism is a very intellectual movement and the common man and postmodernism share a criticism of it. At least, often they do. Sometimes, as I pointed out, the common man will agree whole heartedly with postmodernism's acceptance of their tastes as just as valid as elite tastes. — Coben

The common man would most assuredly be for the first part of this quote and against the last part. Those post modern ideas are a direct threat to their view of life. — Brett

I can’t help thinking that the common man is looked down on by people (who I’m reluctant to define: inner city, whatever) because his life just looks so ordinary to those who need constant stimulation, constant new experiences and as a result constant change. And yet it’s the ‘ordinaryness’ that’s behind his survival against all the ‘isms’. Whatever you people might think, he is a survivor. I don’t know why his values are so shunned. — Brett

I tend to interpret the ‘common man’ as simply a lack of self-reflection. It is who we are and what we do when we aren’t paying attention to who we are and what we do. — Possibility

Have any of you ever worked for a living? — T Clark

Oh, don’t be so boring and sanctimonious. — Brett

What ignorance and arrogance? — Brett

First - Have you ever worked for a living? Where you actually had to live off what you made? — T Clark

I'm not certain, but I think this thread may be the most pitiful I've read on the forum. Condescending, ignorant, naive, arrogant, disrespectful. Pitiful. Have any of you ever worked for a living? Do you know anybody who isn't isn't affluent or college educated? — T Clark

Of course I’ve worked for a living. Does that satisfy you?

I’m not your enemy here. — Brett

Yes - it can be condescending, arrogant and disrespectful. — Possibility

Chill. — Possibility

Personally, I don’t like to use the term ‘common man’. What I was referring to was how I interpret the term in relation to the attitude of those who use it. Yes - it can be condescending, arrogant and disrespectful. The term often implies that the person using it does not see themselves in it. It is a way of being self-reflective without including the self. It connotes pity rather than compassion, and implies that the author’s ability to comment on this aspect of being human elevates him from being one of them. In truth, unless we are continually self-reflective, this term refers to all of us most of the time. — Possibility

the credibility to pontificate on his life. — T Clark

However if it makes any difference you I’ll give you some of my work history:

Worked on a construction site

Worked as a cleaner at a girls’ school

Drove a van delivering mail

Cleaned out animal compounds at a marine park — Brett

However I have to say it seems extremely patronising to do what I’ve just done. — Brett