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So long as we're throwing definitions out there, we should at least include all the relevant ones. I'll leave out all the ones that have to do with making metal plates to avoid confusion.
ster•e•o•type:
1) Sociology. a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group
2) Categorize, type, identify.
3) A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.
4) One that is regarded as embodying or conforming to a set image or type.
5) To give a fixed, unvarying form to.
6) A conventional or formulaic conception or image
7) Treat or classify according to a mental stereotype
8) A too-simple and therefore distorted image of a group
9) A generalization usually exaggerated or oversimplified and often offensive, that is used to describe or distinguish a group.
10) Something conforming to a fixed or general pattern
11) To repeat without variation
I don't believe the question of this thread is what society is a stereotype of. As Gabriel stated, society is a stereotype. It's impossible to say what society is a stereotype of because it includes and is made up of all stereotypes.
People use it the word "society" to stand for an entire group. In the past, this group was more localized, whereas now it has grown to mean a State, a Nation, a Nation-state, whole continents, and the entire world in some instances. Depending on what scale the word is used on, "society" can be a simplified conception with special meaning for the members of the group that's being described (Definition 1).
Additionally, people use the word "society" to categorize people. This is done all the time in social science courses. "The societies of the City-states of medieval Germany were very blah blah blah..." So it fits into Definition 2 as well.
There might not be a more appropriate word than "society" to fit Definition 3. People use a single word to oversimplify and create an opinion or image every time they use or mention "society." Depending on the tone used, the listener can be easily given the impression of a good society or a horrid one. As a test of this point, try defining the word Society in a single, clearly stated, and all encompassing sentence.
Definition 4 doesn't particularly apply to the word "society." However the people who are stereotypes (as defined by this definition) are not just conforming to the set image of their chosen stereotype, but they are conforming to the "society" that stereotype is a part of.
I think the point I'm trying to make is clear at this point, though if anyone would like me to continue for the other 7 listed definitions I'd be happy to oblige. But back to the topic at hand...
Lindaithiel never tried to claim that "Society" was a stereotype of something. In fact she makes the point in her first sentence that "Society" is the stereotype under which all other stereotypes fall. She then proceeded to explain her reasoning after which she offered a possible solution for the problem this topic is addressing: that being the stereotype of "Society" being used to veil messy and convoluted problems that most people would rather not deal with.
Both Lindaithiel and Gabriel are right. In order to tear down the veil that is created by the word "society," in all it's various definitions, everyone needs to start being courteous and selfless and they need to stop being elitist, competitive, and greedy. As Gabriel said, communication is key.
"Balance comes to all things in time. Some make it their duty to tear it apart. It is my duty to balance it out once more."
[ Edited by isilomir at
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