---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the humanist ideal, the mainstream is…"
description: "\"In the humanist ideal, the mainstream is where interesting debate, the generating of new ideas and creativity take place. In rational society this main..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8c/john-ralston-saul-3128_centre_in-the-humanist-ideal-the-mainstream-is_55870.jpg"
---

#  In the humanist ideal, the mainstream is where interesting…

![“In the humanist ideal, the mainstream is where interesting debate, the generating of new ideas and creativity take place. In rational society this mainstream is considered uncontrollable and is therefore made marginal. The centre ground is occupied instead by structures and courtiers.” quote by John Ralston Saul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8c/john-ralston-saul-3128_centre_in-the-humanist-ideal-the-mainstream-is_55870.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8c/john-ralston-saul-3128_centre_in-the-humanist-ideal-the-mainstream-is_55870.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8c/john-ralston-saul-3128_centre_in-the-humanist-ideal-the-mainstream-is_55870.jpg)

> “In the humanist ideal, the mainstream is where interesting debate, the generating of new ideas and creativity take place. In rational society this mainstream is considered uncontrollable and is therefore made marginal. The centre ground is occupied instead by structures and courtiers.”

[John Ralston Saul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ralston-saul/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote critiques how rational societies suppress the vibrant, idea-generating mainstream, relegating it to the margins while elevating bureaucratic structures to the centre.

**In simple terms:** Mainstream creativity is marginalized by rationalist institutions.

Key Takeaway

Creative discourse thrives outside formal structures.

Themes

creativity societal structure rationalism marginalization power dynamics

Mood

critical reflective provocative

Type

philosophical political cultural

When to use this quote

- academic conferences
- corporate boardrooms
- government policy debates
- artistic collectives
- grassroots movements

Key Concepts

mainstream vs. centre institutional control innovation ecosystems

Practical Applications

- designing inclusive innovation policies
- restructuring organizational hierarchies

Questions to Reflect On

- How can institutions balance order with creative freedom?
- What mechanisms can protect the mainstream from marginalization?

A Different Perspective

Some argue that rational frameworks are necessary to channel creativity productively, preventing chaos.

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