Interlude: Dark Ages America Part-11

Continued from Part-10.

14. Berman discounts the "Pendulum Theory." This viewpoint entails the belief that events such as we are witnessing at presents are a temporary extreme. Eventually, the theory continues, the pendulum will swing the other way. In the common error of proof by example, past instances in US history, like during the Great War, are always used as justification for this argument. The author states the following as evidence that the past will not repeat itself:

(a.) Cultural Disintegration.
(b.) Civil Liberties permanently compromised by a Pandora's Box filled with advanced surveillance technology.
(c.) A nation of laws has become a nation of men. Loyalty is more important than performance. In other words, the US Government is like a mediocre Mafia. Incompetence and even criminal activity is tolerated as long as one keeps one's mouth shut.
(d.) A state of permanent war. Being undefined, the current wars being fought by the US can never be concluded. One can expect no less from those involved in (c.) above.
(e.) Cumulative effects are not recoverable. This technological system is like a car with just too many miles.
(f.) Fantasy is esteemed over reality. He describes Verbal Worlds in different terms.
(g.) He draws parallels with Rome. Beware proof by example.

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