A Florida newspaper recently ran an interesting article on this trendy phrase (they said it was no longer really trendy). Anyways, they interviewed a few sociologists from a few universities and they said that it reflected a defeatist attitude. An attitude that reflect one's unwillingness to change something so the person simply gives up. But they mentioned that it is a generational thing. Thet said that it was the opposite view of baby boomers that said, "Just because something is the way it is doesn't mean that that's the way it has to be." Their view was about change and power. Not powerlessness. I would definitely agree with the baby boomers' view. It's like in boxing. Yeah, a boxer could probably go in the ring and just stand there and absorb blows to prove how tough he is. To absorb punishment without complaint. But in order to win, one has to throw punches. In order to change the status quo one must identify the problem and take action. Not give up.
2006-07-21 08:06:50 · 12 answers · asked by cannonball 1 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
It's an excuse to sit on your butt and do nothing.
2006-07-21 08:10:28 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't necessarily agree that it is a generational concept or a defeatist attitude. Stating that some is what it is means that this is reality, this is what is in front of me, not something I wish were in front of me (or something different). I think that a lot of times, we hope that things are different, or that we have control over things, or we can change people; we can't (or rarely can we). People change when they want to, they make a choice and a committment, they don't do it because of us (we may support them, but it ultimately comes down to free will). Anyways, accepting things for the way they are is not powerlessness, if I don't like something, I will find the tools to change myself and find others with common values and beliefs, power of the masses. That is how things change, being able to accept what is in front of us motivates us to do what we need to do to facilitate change.
2006-07-21 08:40:00 · answer #2 · answered by deepthinker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it means that you accept that you are in a situation that you cant change and that is out of your control. I dont see it as being powerless or accepting defeat, more as it is positive to move on and not get stuck in self defeating behaviour.
I dont think it applies to situations where all it takes is more effort to achieve something that is regarded as difficult.
Life is too short trying to change things and people that might not want to be changed.
2006-07-21 08:56:41 · answer #3 · answered by ginny c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We use the term all of the time in the Multi-Family Housing Business.
Because it is true. It can be changed, but in our business it simply mean's we cannot or will not change it usually for economic reasons :)
2006-07-21 08:34:18 · answer #4 · answered by educated guess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that phrase implies that you live in the moment and accept it as it is. A person who can live his or her life by that will probably have a certain amount of peace in their life, a person with good self esteem, a person that has power over their life and gives that power to no one.
2006-07-21 08:26:44 · answer #5 · answered by Chegles 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a way of diffing destiny, purpose, fate. Have you ever seen a guy that consumes alcohol, or drugs. In your mind you know that you can try to change that guy but because of fear, uncertainty, basically because of our fear we blame this problem of fate. We think that "he is what he is" just like we are what we are, his destiny was to be this, just like I was destined to see him. But part of the problem is our because we refuse to believe that every person has his fate in his hands and people have free will, if they want, they can help the guy.
2006-07-21 10:15:18 · answer #6 · answered by Faust 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"it is what it is" is, in five short words, a brief description of all Zen Buddhist theory, and paradoxically, all current Quantum Physics thought also.
Never trust anything a "sociologist" says! LOL
2006-07-21 08:16:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference.
It applys to everything.
2006-07-21 08:11:20 · answer #8 · answered by double0negitive 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a postmodern, cosmopolitan philisophical position that respects otherness without passing judgment.
2006-07-21 08:11:48 · answer #9 · answered by dreth 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a lot of type. It impresses me as follows; look up;
" passing the buck. "
2006-07-21 08:10:15 · answer #10 · answered by vanamont7 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋