sociometry of urgency

[Adam Blatner]

Dear Ed,
     It's good that you bring up the theme of sociometry as part of sociatry.

    It occurred to me that sociometry is a key point in what I've been trying to say. For 
example, if there are ten subgroups who are working towards a common cause (i.e., 
sociotele is similar); we are likely to choose those subgroups whose psychetele or rapport 
is most congenial (based on various criteria, some unconscious, some more related to 
variables such as style, intensity, tone).
      So your bringing that up leads to the need for folks to pay attention not just to 
the message they are trying to give, but to the audience and the nonrational dimensions of 
preference and relationships. Moreno had this problem, as he at times alienated many who 
were at first inclined to be his ally.
      What I'm getting at is a shift from what I grew up thinking: If one had a persuasive 
argument, that should count for something. What I'm realizing is, especially as I've 
observed politics over the last 50 plus years, is that image is almost everything, alas. 
Image also includes voice tone, charisma, slogans, presentation, reputation, and even the 
kinds of people with whom one associates.
      Well, we need to recognize that sociometry, then, is not only a sociological field, 
but also a kind of depth psychology, and one that opens us to questions that most folks 
would rather not bring into consciousness.
        What do you think of this angle?  Warmly, Adam