-"Okapi, can I bother you again with a question?" asks Zebra, who has just finished reading a blog about contemporary issues.
Okapi nods and pushes an empty coffee cup away. -"Do we still have coffee?"
-"Not that I know of. But garden tea from India. A friend was there and bought it directly from the tea garden store. Organic and fair trade."
Okapi nods again. -"Good to know. But why do you have to emphasize that? It should be clear that tea is grown without toxins and that the people who work there are paid a fair wage."
-"Should be clear, I agree," agrees Zebra. "But unfortunately it's not. You're bringing the conversation in my direction yourself, because I wanted to ask what is "normal" and who determines that."
Okapi grumbles. -"We've already had that question a few times. And it always comes out the same..."
Zebra waits, because it knows from experience that the sentence will continue. And it's true again now.
"... the so-called "normality" is a construction. If you look or ask around in different cultures, there are very different ideas of what ‘normal’ is. Or even if we have the wonderful tool of the time machine at our disposal..."
Zebra interrupts excitedly: -"Have we finally done that? Can I travel back?"
-"...well, you can travel with the information you have and with your imagination...", Okapi points out. "Unfortunately, time travel can't be performed scientifically, so far... but what I mean is: what many people here now may find ‘normal’ would not be considered normal elsewhere or at other times in history."
-"Certainly. Like, traditional gender roles vary in different cultures and eras. They show how 'normality' is constructed on the basis of social hierarchies. Role expectations have been shaped by patriarchal systems, religious teachings and cultural narratives - and still are."
"...or are revived again!" Zebra interjects. "But the way we treat other life forms and creatures is also influenced by this, don't you think?"
Okapi looks grim. -"Think of sweatshops, mining and, most widely: Animal exploitation industry."
-"Agreed. Industrial agriculture, animal testing and hunting are still largely considered 'normal' because people assume that humans are superior."
-"In addition, there is still the colonialist view that assumes: people in other regions should consider themselves lucky if they have a job at all and don't have to sell themselves. The consumer mind simply doesn't care as long as it can consume", Okapi notes.
- "I'm not so sure about that!" Zebra disagrees. -"After all, the operators of these exploitative practices do everything they can to ensure that they don't become visible. And people who draw attention to social deficiencies are often classified as suspected terrorists. I'm just saying 'whistleblower'."
-"That's right!" admits Okapi. -"In this respect, it is paradoxical that the consumption of such products is considered 'normal'. While, at the same time, it is considered 'normal' to hide the facts about industrial agriculture or the fashion industry because people would be put off by it. Because they might lose their appetite, or the desire to buy the 22nd T-shirt, even though it's such a nice color."
-"Quite apart from the fact that the alleged, backward-looking cultural tradition of regarding animal bodies and their products as food does not correspond to any natural law or need - and certainly not in times of climate crisis. Just as there is no evidence that the acquisition of material goods makes people happier or even, allow me the spiritual insert: ‘fulfilled’!" Zebra takes a conscious breath. -"In conclusion: Consumption may generate temporary joy and satisfaction, but these quickly degenerate and do not provide long-term life satisfaction. A feeling of emptiness quickly arises again. However, there is scientific evidence for alternatives!"
-"What are they?" Okapi wants to know.
-"Research on well-being and life satisfaction shows that artistic activities, for example, enhance the ability to empathize, but also to critical thinking. In addition - and you know this as well as I do - we long - consciously or unconsciously - for a certain re-enchantment of the world. And when we develop an awareness of beauty, it enriches our perception of the world. It creates joy. And according to the latest findings..." Zebra pauses for effect, -"...mindfulness is associated with well-being and mental health."
- "From this it follows that...", Okapi says: -"We are always living in the past with what the mainstream understands as 'normal'. I'm going to take the time machine in the other direction!"
- "I'm coming with you!", calls Zebra with a cheerful wink.