Just Evil Enough

Chapter 9:

 

Medium norms

While indecent exposure or urinating in public could get you arrested, many rules we follow are merely convention. For example, while many Europeans frequent “textile free” spas, being naked at an American one will probably get you thrown out—and you can’t even show your tattoos in Japanese onsen. Norms aren’t just cultural; they vary by social group: it’s uncouth to swear at some weddings, but expected at others.

If the medium’s platform is where we interact, its norms are how we do so. We seldom notice rules, conventions, and taboos until they’re challenged, usually by someone who sees them for the exploitable social constructs that they are.

The Recon Canvas divides norms into three rows:

• The rules, governance ...