Their embrace of cultural absurdity is a control mechanism. If they can 'keep everyone on their toes' then they feel they can dictate the pulse/mood of the population.

This is where having a sense of non-negotiable values serves as a guide to us. I find that traditional values, based logically on the principles of the 10 Commandments, are what make sense for the orderly running of a successful society.

Bible thumpers might use these as a whip, but if one steps back and looks at what is needed for society to operate well, you really can't go wrong with adopting these as the guidelines.