Ma-kin sense: Flouting
Ma-kin sense of the keyword: Flouting
Definition: to intentionally not obey a rule, law, or custom.
A poem inspired by Ma-kin sense conversation on 10 April 2020. The group of reflectors: Lou Platt, Lorna Dallas-Conte, John O’Reilly, Laura Cloke, Ann Marie Newton and Katherine Simpson. Poem co-written by Ann Marie and Katherine.Flouting – I am going on an outing
Consider the word flouting
Rhymes with outing, pouting, counting
It’s almost an outing, but not quite
The world has to stay in – for now.
In the news
“flouting the rules”
Rules equal control
Openly disregard, to mock and to scoff
So, what are the rules, anyway?
Who made them for whom?
In days gone by
Flouncing one’s petticoat offered an intimate glimpse of feminine revolt
Alfred Wallis rebellion painter flouted rules of perspective
Breaking conventions
Sometimes flouting creates space for new
Sometimes flouting creates danger
Arrive from context
Exercising our right
The few, not the many
Gathering in parks
Sunbathing
Anti-social “social” behaviour
Driving miles to seek beauty
Flouting is visible
It is bodily, green, yellow and landscapes
Manifests in physical action
Do we know when we are flouting?
Intention or deliberate
Essential or luxury
Public or private
The story and reality are not always the same
Reptilian brain announces “danger!”
Higher functioning-self tries to reason with it
Judgement from privilege, perhaps.
Showing off
Acts of rebellion
Exercising pleasure
Pleasure in policing
Seeking escape
Escaping domestic trouble
Protecting ourselves
Protecting our loves
Intention to flout
Deliberate rebellion or innocent self-care
Individual good or collective good
Differs by culture, class and courage
The collective is not at the heart of western individualist culture
Is now a time to flout on that?
How come we are not questioning ‘non-essential’ work
Outside East London windows, construction for regeneration carries on
Is that not flouting what is good for us all?
Why not question that, oh right, money and power.
What word might work?
Kindness
‘Are you doing your best?’
Less judgement, more self-reflection
We can control that.
Doodles and notes from personal reflections
Article image sources: Marie-Sophie Tékian and Ignacio Brosa What are ‘ma-kin sense’ articles?
Purpose
• Discuss as a group for 27 mins to reflect on a keyword that is prevalent or emerging in society. The conversation is written up as an article with doodles and notes accompanied.
Format
• Each person shares their observations on the key word and riff off each other.
So what
• The conversation is for self-reflection and collective transfer of knowledge – nothing more, nothing less.
• It is an opportunity to be in the moment, experimental and experiential to poke and prod as a collection of voices to excavate and test the edges of our boundaries.