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Valuing Formal

Interesting essay on on how loss of formal traditions has cost us democracy. The author argues:

The opportunity to be a crowing pedant about the rules of formality gives one something to do instead of in-grouping around more exclusionary traits, such as to which expensive school one went. More importantly, the rules of formality are ultimately accessible to all. Anyone can learn the etiquette and wear the tie, and so become part of the ever larger, ever more diverse in-group that practices the formality of the event.

He sees colleges as having a vital role here by being the tie that binds students of diverse backgrounds, leveling the playing field and giving the cohort a common and unique framework for life. When the institution pares down the formality to allow a more casual culture, it ends up not fulfilling its mission:

The college needs ritual, tradition, anachronism and whispers of the numinous to bind together this diversity. Not to smooth it out, but to unite it in true engagement. Any apartment building can fill itself with diverse residents who politely acknowledge each other in the hallways, then keep to themselves. It takes a formal, traditional, ritual-filled ancient college to make them all feel as though they’re truly of one kind – even if that ancient college is only a year old.

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