In a life’s work there must always be a share for the ephemeral

This is related to my thoughts about the importance of social norms and customs as the buffer between individual actions and the law. In other words, law cannot cover the full range of possible individual actions (too onerous and unenforceable) and there is a necessary buffer of indeterminacy between action and legality which is covered through the flexibility of social norms and customs. Things which are not either legal or illegal, but which need to be strongly encouraged or discouraged.

The more effective the social norms and customs the less the burden needed of laws.

“In a life’s work there must always be a share for the ephemeral: for what happened once and fades.” —Roland Barthes (via Kate Briggs entrancing book, *This Little Art*)

A couple of related thoughts:

— James K.A. Smith (@james_ka_smith) July 23, 2019

Click on the tweet to see the thread.