When attempting to provide help for a growing diversity of complex needs, social service institutions tend to pass over the possible contribution which could be made by the diverse cultures which they serve. Past traditions, strange anomalies, uniquenesses and eccentricities, particular interpretations of the meaning of life, and even factual information about the world, are all untapped. This frequently results in unnecessary subversion of otherwise helpful social programmes.
Much of the UK's continual disagreement with the European Community results from bitterness over the loss of British anomalies, such as their non-metric monetary and measurement systems. This suppression of senseless but precious eccentricity has created unnecessary resentment.