Comments on: The Robing Room: the late Philip Opas QC on the absurdity of wigs http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/09/05/the-robing-room-the-late-philip-opas-qc-on-the-absurdity-of-wigs/ now with extra source Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:14:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Kaps http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/09/05/the-robing-room-the-late-philip-opas-qc-on-the-absurdity-of-wigs/#comment-10410 Kaps Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-10410 I openly deride those wigs as well, and I think the environmental campaigner's justification (excuse, actually) is a classic sign of fear of change, but the other Labor Party guy makes a point, I feel, which you've been too quick to dismiss. Its not necessarily a wacky experience. Putting on a uniform does in fact change the mindfulness of the donner and observer alike. Its the same reason why temples are grand, as are Supreme Courts and every citadel you can think of. We're conditioned to respond to such symbols to inspire and intimidate. The fact is, that person - unless he's lying - does experience a change and if it helps him perform his role better, its not so easy to brush aside.<br /><br />If you don't believe me, consider why you would oppose shorts or bare feet in the courts (you would, wouldn't you?), yet the same argument could be made to dismiss rules of attire. I openly deride those wigs as well, and I think the environmental campaigner’s justification (excuse, actually) is a classic sign of fear of change, but the other Labor Party guy makes a point, I feel, which you’ve been too quick to dismiss. Its not necessarily a wacky experience. Putting on a uniform does in fact change the mindfulness of the donner and observer alike. Its the same reason why temples are grand, as are Supreme Courts and every citadel you can think of. We’re conditioned to respond to such symbols to inspire and intimidate. The fact is, that person - unless he’s lying - does experience a change and if it helps him perform his role better, its not so easy to brush aside.

If you don’t believe me, consider why you would oppose shorts or bare feet in the courts (you would, wouldn’t you?), yet the same argument could be made to dismiss rules of attire.

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