21a. Why not revel in the fall? Due to systemic contradictions, civilization is becoming stagnant. One can only recycle for so long. Eventually, the base material degrades. Why not just take that trash out to the curb? It won't be missed or not–one man's trash is another man's treasure. One can be selective. Anyone can destroy. Anyone can build.
21b. But what of nuclear weapons? The State's tools and toys will outlast it? If the fall is inevitable, won't the end of central control mean disaster? Maybe. What will be will be. Fortunately, although nuclear material is long lasting, the technology will deteriorate. Poison will ultimately be a larger threat than bombs. The world will die slowly.
22c. The State's demise, and consequently civilization as we know it, does not necessarily entail the end of institutions–merely centralized control. The replacement might be even worse. Only vigilance, born of limited foresight, might counter the worst–feudalism and warlords. Afghanistan is not to be emulated.
22d. Roving bands can only be combated by uncompromising ruthlessness. Fortified towns might provide a means of defense. Military orders, like knights,[5] may be developed to secure the worst weapons of civilization. Who knows? Humans always seem to manage to survive.
23. Fear blinds. Most people (in the industrialized world) probably dread a fall. They prefer the familiar over uncertainty. They look at the past, before the age of modern states, and believe a fall would be a return to constant victimization. However, as modern weaponry will allow 100 men to destroy a small state, it also enables better defense. For example, in Pakistan throughout the tribal belt, according to Rashid, AK47s are fabricated in garages. Recent incursions, the first ever, by the Pakistani military has met stiff resistance. Casualties are close to par. If a nuclear capable state cannot subdue its own territory, how could a roving gang do otherwise? One need only be willing to offer defensive measures. Most thugs would think twice before attempting to dominate a strong, well-armed community. The remainder must be eliminated in the usual fashion.
[5] In fact, the Assassins have returned. Al Qaeda is nothing less (or more). The past appears to be resurgent–only far better able to kill on a mass scale. Fear is the better weapon for maximum advantage in a technological society.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Thursday, December 30, 2004
The State is Doomed! 20
20. The most rapid technologic advances are in those fields devoted to killing. Some, like Nobel and the inventor of the machine gun, even believed their inventions would make war impossible by virtue of destructive power. The same logic was applied during the same cold war arms race, but it appeared to actually succeed. Or did it? History is still being written. Obliteration may be a lesser possibility, but death can come slower to the world. Civilization sometimes seems hardly worth the effort. Its by-products are poison in all meanings. Perhaps technology enables the wrong kinds of culling? After all, if you can’t exterminate your own, then who can you exterminate? Like often prefers to prey upon like. Revenge is sweeter closer to home. A thousand dark thoughts, unexpressed and buried, might explode and unleash a plague or nasty “nanobugs.” A million Columbines and Oklahoma City bombings could explode at once. Western Civilization does have a knack for decline. Will humanity survive the next dark age? Perhaps the next renaissance will lead to something different . . .
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
The State is Doomed! 18-19
18. In Jacques Ellul’s earlier works, he promulgates the idea that politics are essentially illusory in a technological society. The political class has no choice but to rely upon the advice of the technical class in establishing policy. Written in the days of scientific management, during a period all world powers were focus upon efficiency, the essence of the argument is still valid. In any system, the human element can provide major shifts in certain aspects. Most such attempts will ultimately be expressed by an immense governing apparatus represented by various interest. The human component can refuse to implement bad policy, but specialization ensures few will be aware of the greater whole. Bad policy is enabled by best practices. Hence, idiotic political appointments can steer a functioning ship of state into solid rock. Systemic reform is akin to bailing a ship steered by the inept. The inevitable can only be delayed.
19. Policy failures are often the result of incorrect projections of ideology on reality. A verbal world is falsely assumed to be universal. The resultant calamities are unsurprising. Verbal worlds are unavoidable in a technological society. One can only hope to possess a world view that is as consistent and complementary to reality as possible. Rather than become mentally rigid, like many a product of university faculty, one must learn and understand other points and counterpoints. Unfortunately, few ever bother; those that do mostly should not.
19. Policy failures are often the result of incorrect projections of ideology on reality. A verbal world is falsely assumed to be universal. The resultant calamities are unsurprising. Verbal worlds are unavoidable in a technological society. One can only hope to possess a world view that is as consistent and complementary to reality as possible. Rather than become mentally rigid, like many a product of university faculty, one must learn and understand other points and counterpoints. Unfortunately, few ever bother; those that do mostly should not.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
The State is Doomed! 15-17
15. Who could possibly want to go into big-time politics these days? Only the shallow, pompous and/or psychopathic could possibly want the job. Only the rich and their whores could possibly possess the means. Only the stupid would bother.
16. Mass society is a decadent excuse for culture. Its shallowness only breeds apathy. Tradition is not custom. Boredom sometimes demands an explosive outlet. Idleness ensures it. Lacking prospects of economic future, the population turns on itself. Rather than eliminating the cause, the disaffected slowly commit collective suicide. The other day, there was a gang shooting death in front of my house. A week later, all that's left is a few decaying flowers and a few depressed friends holding a sad nighttime vigil. It didn't even make the papers. The slowing economy increases the rate of such mindless violence. Tell me the state maintains order; you watch too much television. Eventually, the world will come knocking on your front door and you will not like it. I will laugh at your misfortune even as I exploit it. You did nothing to stop it. You cannot. Your freedom is a lie.
17. Some people are incapable of anything verging on consciousness. They possess little self-awareness and no empathy. They believe myths through endless repetition. Their socialization is total. Individually, most sleepers are mostly harmless and inconsequential. In a mass society, these types have the potential to collectively do great harm. Their own delusions will steer them well away from their own best interests. They belong. Their favorite lies shelter. Their beliefs make them easy prey for the opportunistic. They have no other place.
16. Mass society is a decadent excuse for culture. Its shallowness only breeds apathy. Tradition is not custom. Boredom sometimes demands an explosive outlet. Idleness ensures it. Lacking prospects of economic future, the population turns on itself. Rather than eliminating the cause, the disaffected slowly commit collective suicide. The other day, there was a gang shooting death in front of my house. A week later, all that's left is a few decaying flowers and a few depressed friends holding a sad nighttime vigil. It didn't even make the papers. The slowing economy increases the rate of such mindless violence. Tell me the state maintains order; you watch too much television. Eventually, the world will come knocking on your front door and you will not like it. I will laugh at your misfortune even as I exploit it. You did nothing to stop it. You cannot. Your freedom is a lie.
17. Some people are incapable of anything verging on consciousness. They possess little self-awareness and no empathy. They believe myths through endless repetition. Their socialization is total. Individually, most sleepers are mostly harmless and inconsequential. In a mass society, these types have the potential to collectively do great harm. Their own delusions will steer them well away from their own best interests. They belong. Their favorite lies shelter. Their beliefs make them easy prey for the opportunistic. They have no other place.
Monday, December 27, 2004
The State is Doomed! 11-14
11. "Reform" mostly does little more than prolong an inevitable crisis. Endless attempts will destructively interfere with other reforms thereby causing a systemic economic crash. The state was still considered legitimate during the last depression.
12. Politicians cannot resist the urge to play with machines; can machines resist the impulse to play with them? Yes. They have no life.
13. Layers of government have been established as protection from other layers of government. Perhaps, the various entities can be made to devour each other. Perhaps, they have already sat down at the same table?
14. The future is uncertain; whores masquerading as leaders are a sure bet.
12. Politicians cannot resist the urge to play with machines; can machines resist the impulse to play with them? Yes. They have no life.
13. Layers of government have been established as protection from other layers of government. Perhaps, the various entities can be made to devour each other. Perhaps, they have already sat down at the same table?
14. The future is uncertain; whores masquerading as leaders are a sure bet.
Sunday, December 26, 2004
The State is Doomed! 8-10
8. i. Only 100 Kalishnakovs are needed to destroy a small state.
ii. Global media and communication is universal.
iii. Ideas can sometimes be more powerful than military might.
9a. Recently, a concept called Asymmetric Warfare or Fourth Generation Warfare (4GW) has been in the process of development by forward thinking military officers like William S. Lind. 4GW is fought beyond maximum advantage in all things. States find non-state actors difficult to fight. Their aims are incomprehensible to a bureaucratically conditioned mindset. Their decentralization makes identification and goals difficult to identify or contain. External non-state enemies are even more difficult to penetrate. Technology is mostly useless; billion dollar weapons systems are irrelevant. Organization is not a virtue in asymmetric warfare. In 4GW propaganda victories are the primary objectives. Minimum expense for maximum gain is sought in all things. The opponent's will must be broken. The opponent's economy must be devastated. The opponent must be goaded into stupid atrocities. 4GW does not require state actors. 4GW is low tech. In 4GW, no negotiation is possible because there is nothing to negotiate. In 4GW, the state is the weaker party. 4GW makes the state irrelevant: it's back to the 14th Century. The state cannot fight maximum advantage with maximum advantage. The technological state is capable of no other means. In 4GW, the state is weaker. 4GW is the shadow in war. Asymmetry is a higher maximum advantage. The underdog will always elicit a certain sympathy. In 4GW, the distinction between combatant and civilians is blurred. Long live the memory of Falluja!
9b. Could 5GW be a time of war waged by individuals? If so, we are doomed
10. Excepting totalitarian regimes, legitimacy is a key component of any system of governance. An established arrangement may only deligitimize itself though the actions of disconnected leaders.
ii. Global media and communication is universal.
iii. Ideas can sometimes be more powerful than military might.
9a. Recently, a concept called Asymmetric Warfare or Fourth Generation Warfare (4GW) has been in the process of development by forward thinking military officers like William S. Lind. 4GW is fought beyond maximum advantage in all things. States find non-state actors difficult to fight. Their aims are incomprehensible to a bureaucratically conditioned mindset. Their decentralization makes identification and goals difficult to identify or contain. External non-state enemies are even more difficult to penetrate. Technology is mostly useless; billion dollar weapons systems are irrelevant. Organization is not a virtue in asymmetric warfare. In 4GW propaganda victories are the primary objectives. Minimum expense for maximum gain is sought in all things. The opponent's will must be broken. The opponent's economy must be devastated. The opponent must be goaded into stupid atrocities. 4GW does not require state actors. 4GW is low tech. In 4GW, no negotiation is possible because there is nothing to negotiate. In 4GW, the state is the weaker party. 4GW makes the state irrelevant: it's back to the 14th Century. The state cannot fight maximum advantage with maximum advantage. The technological state is capable of no other means. In 4GW, the state is weaker. 4GW is the shadow in war. Asymmetry is a higher maximum advantage. The underdog will always elicit a certain sympathy. In 4GW, the distinction between combatant and civilians is blurred. Long live the memory of Falluja!
9b. Could 5GW be a time of war waged by individuals? If so, we are doomed
10. Excepting totalitarian regimes, legitimacy is a key component of any system of governance. An established arrangement may only deligitimize itself though the actions of disconnected leaders.
Friday, December 24, 2004
The State is Doomed! 4-7
4. Economics are partly a matter of perception. For example, home sales are up, but home equity is at the lowest point in 50 years. Consumerism is fueled by debt.
5. A Postulate: "Who amongst us has the will to state, ‘I was influenced by propaganda?' Only a complete lunatic..." Hence, those sentiments become submerged.
6. A state exists to maintain order and provide basic services. A government that fails its essential functions is not a state. Calling an entity a government does not make it so. Failed states abound. Afghanistan has not has a state nor a government for decades. Calling it so, does not make it so.
7. Ceasing to exist is the ultimate order.
5. A Postulate: "Who amongst us has the will to state, ‘I was influenced by propaganda?' Only a complete lunatic..." Hence, those sentiments become submerged.
6. A state exists to maintain order and provide basic services. A government that fails its essential functions is not a state. Calling an entity a government does not make it so. Failed states abound. Afghanistan has not has a state nor a government for decades. Calling it so, does not make it so.
7. Ceasing to exist is the ultimate order.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
The State is Doomed! 1-3
-One Way or Another
“Nothing is true, everything is permitted.”
- Hassan i Sabbah
Draft 1.0
1. The state is failing. Only the rate of deceleration may be influenced. The fall may be a crash or not. In and of itself, it might appear that a slow decay is preferable; that assumption would be an error. Metaphor is not reality.
2. Agitation propaganda has mostly proven most reliable for short term effect. The subject population will eventually become exhausted. Pacification propaganda operates over a long period of time for facilitation. Advocated schemes must be either sold or made to appear normal. Symbols are powerful means to the ends of acceptance. The absurd is continually redefined unto normalcy. Regardless the motivation, all propaganda is reduction.
3. What of the Shadow? The Shadow can never be eliminated; only nurtured. The Shadow can consume; it usually fades by contact. Isolation is necessary for mass propaganda. Media manipulation concerns attitude over action. In fact, motion is undesirable in the population. Individual and small group efforts are more effective. Manipulation is best immediate. A church represents an excellent venue for group reinforcement. The weak mistake faith for obedience. Their Shadows becomes magnified. The result is atrocities.
“Nothing is true, everything is permitted.”
- Hassan i Sabbah
Draft 1.0
1. The state is failing. Only the rate of deceleration may be influenced. The fall may be a crash or not. In and of itself, it might appear that a slow decay is preferable; that assumption would be an error. Metaphor is not reality.
2. Agitation propaganda has mostly proven most reliable for short term effect. The subject population will eventually become exhausted. Pacification propaganda operates over a long period of time for facilitation. Advocated schemes must be either sold or made to appear normal. Symbols are powerful means to the ends of acceptance. The absurd is continually redefined unto normalcy. Regardless the motivation, all propaganda is reduction.
3. What of the Shadow? The Shadow can never be eliminated; only nurtured. The Shadow can consume; it usually fades by contact. Isolation is necessary for mass propaganda. Media manipulation concerns attitude over action. In fact, motion is undesirable in the population. Individual and small group efforts are more effective. Manipulation is best immediate. A church represents an excellent venue for group reinforcement. The weak mistake faith for obedience. Their Shadows becomes magnified. The result is atrocities.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
The Stupid and The Rich 9-End
9. As far as the mass mind is concerned, unless an event is recorded it did not occur. Those things unverified by media cannot impact the world. Gratification is best immediate for Maximum Advantage in shaping malleable public opinion–gauged by statistical data. One hears what one wants to hear; but one must hear it. Witnesses may see an event differently–the end result is the same–those not present will believe the media imagery other those simply present. Neutrality is a myth. Removal is not the same thing as being.
10. Neo-Conservatives and Neo-Liberals believe the exact same thing. In many cases, they are the same people. Interested in power, they will truck with anyone who will advance their status and goals. The means are essentially irrelevant. Their outlook is Machiavellian. The cannot see that Machiavelli lived in a time of the ascending state. His advice my be dated.
End. Except when threatened, discounting certain "criminal" archetypes, the simple are directly mostly harmless. The exceptions are fanatics and the violently insane. All may be used as tools for complex ends. Their passivity must be encouraged and nurtured. Fear is the easiest means for conditioning a population. Something may be repeated enough, that even though none believe it, few will dare say so. Social isolation is an efficient enabler. Media fills the void. The simple are not necessarily stupid, but less likely to actually question a verbal world–it matters less than more immediate concerns (and often with good reason). The stupid condition themselves. Hence, unless you discard free will, since the choice was conscious, the stupid deserve the consequences. The simple are not deluded; they are apathetic regarding a world beyond their control. The stupid believe they exert influence by being a part of a verbal construct. The stupid believes their opinions matter. The simple know it matters not at all. The simple are probably happier. Oh, how I envy the simple! Thinking is annoying–especially when you cannot actually do anything but wait. Things fall apart on their own. Patience is unpleasant.
–As always, Death to the Stupid!
2003 - 2004
10. Neo-Conservatives and Neo-Liberals believe the exact same thing. In many cases, they are the same people. Interested in power, they will truck with anyone who will advance their status and goals. The means are essentially irrelevant. Their outlook is Machiavellian. The cannot see that Machiavelli lived in a time of the ascending state. His advice my be dated.
End. Except when threatened, discounting certain "criminal" archetypes, the simple are directly mostly harmless. The exceptions are fanatics and the violently insane. All may be used as tools for complex ends. Their passivity must be encouraged and nurtured. Fear is the easiest means for conditioning a population. Something may be repeated enough, that even though none believe it, few will dare say so. Social isolation is an efficient enabler. Media fills the void. The simple are not necessarily stupid, but less likely to actually question a verbal world–it matters less than more immediate concerns (and often with good reason). The stupid condition themselves. Hence, unless you discard free will, since the choice was conscious, the stupid deserve the consequences. The simple are not deluded; they are apathetic regarding a world beyond their control. The stupid believe they exert influence by being a part of a verbal construct. The stupid believes their opinions matter. The simple know it matters not at all. The simple are probably happier. Oh, how I envy the simple! Thinking is annoying–especially when you cannot actually do anything but wait. Things fall apart on their own. Patience is unpleasant.
–As always, Death to the Stupid!
2003 - 2004
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
The Stupid and The Rich 6-8
6. Whores are found in all stations. The honest ones may be found in the street. The word so aptly describes so much, not to mention nicely rolls-off the tongue, that I find myself saying it more everyday. Why bother? Only the image matters.
7. Except for a direct creator, an ideological intellectual is an oxymoron. Justification is never intellectual achievement; rather the opposite! The worst offenders are parasites. These ideological jackals prefer to feed on corpses. Their ideals and thoughts are regurgitations of an age that never could (or should) exist. In the West, as religious influences, the impulse to seek paradise still remains.[3] The ideologist inhabits a fantasy realm where everything would be perfect as long as everyone thinks the same. Unity is narrow; its strongest impulses can result in genocide. Ideology is inherently reductionist. As a result, life is debased. The ideologist is not fully living. The world does not long tolerate the anti-natural. Ideology is the metaphorical equivalent of flying into the sun.
8. Only the insane or the stupid would want to be a leader in a technological society. Mass media and the internet ensure that leaders cannot easily do what leaders must do. Hence, real power prefers puppets. Of course, most people would not prefer the constant spotlight–they like to watch; do not aspire to be an historical figure–who wants to be reviled? Only a sociopath would consider the figurehead position as enviable. True power is best unseen. Questions do not focus away from the camera lens.
[3] Although, as we have witnessed, ideology is a mediocre substitute for religion. Religious fanaticism is not even comparable to pure and prolonged ideological fervor. Political revolutions always fail to maintain mass commitment beyond a few years. In a thousand years, present ideologies will be long forgotten, but religion will endure. Ideology is a mediocre substitute for religion.
7. Except for a direct creator, an ideological intellectual is an oxymoron. Justification is never intellectual achievement; rather the opposite! The worst offenders are parasites. These ideological jackals prefer to feed on corpses. Their ideals and thoughts are regurgitations of an age that never could (or should) exist. In the West, as religious influences, the impulse to seek paradise still remains.[3] The ideologist inhabits a fantasy realm where everything would be perfect as long as everyone thinks the same. Unity is narrow; its strongest impulses can result in genocide. Ideology is inherently reductionist. As a result, life is debased. The ideologist is not fully living. The world does not long tolerate the anti-natural. Ideology is the metaphorical equivalent of flying into the sun.
8. Only the insane or the stupid would want to be a leader in a technological society. Mass media and the internet ensure that leaders cannot easily do what leaders must do. Hence, real power prefers puppets. Of course, most people would not prefer the constant spotlight–they like to watch; do not aspire to be an historical figure–who wants to be reviled? Only a sociopath would consider the figurehead position as enviable. True power is best unseen. Questions do not focus away from the camera lens.
[3] Although, as we have witnessed, ideology is a mediocre substitute for religion. Religious fanaticism is not even comparable to pure and prolonged ideological fervor. Political revolutions always fail to maintain mass commitment beyond a few years. In a thousand years, present ideologies will be long forgotten, but religion will endure. Ideology is a mediocre substitute for religion.
Monday, December 20, 2004
The Stupid and The Rich 3-5
3. These days in the empire, only a crook, an idiot, a lunatic or someone with nothing better to do would want to occupy higher federal office.[1] In America, only those rich enough can afford to do so. The sane and competent have better things to do. Who would want the attention for such a relatively small amount of money? It’s pretty apparent the answer is usually someone who is both rich and dumb. The power structure only prefers political participation by malleable bourgeois simpletons. Alike spawns alike.
[1] Sending these people to Washington, D.C. ensures they will be someone else making trouble. The less time they spend in their home state the better. Could Hilary Clinton win reelection simply by threatening to hang around if she loses? She did get shipped off shortly after moving to New York...
4. The rich and powerful are fully aware that they must make certain gestures or face being dehumanized and eventually destroyed by the herd. Blatant exploitation is much more likely to provoke a backlash as opposed to populist language and appeals regarding cultural non-issues.[2] The rubes will always respond to message over substance. Christian Fundamentalism produces brain damage. They will always embrace anyone who speaks their tongue. They cannot comprehend being used. Hence, they cheer their own doom; at least the four horseman of the apocalypse believe in Jesus. In reality, they will find that they will not...
[2] See Tom Frank’s What’s the Matter with Kansas? (2004).
5. Incompetence is no barrier too success. In fact, it is often rewarded. Golden parachutes are a symbol of upper-class solidarity. Except for the rich, class has been eclipsed by non-issues. The rest must relearn a basic truth: class consciousness does not have to be about communism or even socialism. It’s about knowing who is the enemy. It’s about knowing who is ripping you off and how it’s being done. It’s about being able to stop being robbed. No government will ever enable the population. No population will enable the individual. The herd cannot set you free.
[1] Sending these people to Washington, D.C. ensures they will be someone else making trouble. The less time they spend in their home state the better. Could Hilary Clinton win reelection simply by threatening to hang around if she loses? She did get shipped off shortly after moving to New York...
4. The rich and powerful are fully aware that they must make certain gestures or face being dehumanized and eventually destroyed by the herd. Blatant exploitation is much more likely to provoke a backlash as opposed to populist language and appeals regarding cultural non-issues.[2] The rubes will always respond to message over substance. Christian Fundamentalism produces brain damage. They will always embrace anyone who speaks their tongue. They cannot comprehend being used. Hence, they cheer their own doom; at least the four horseman of the apocalypse believe in Jesus. In reality, they will find that they will not...
[2] See Tom Frank’s What’s the Matter with Kansas? (2004).
5. Incompetence is no barrier too success. In fact, it is often rewarded. Golden parachutes are a symbol of upper-class solidarity. Except for the rich, class has been eclipsed by non-issues. The rest must relearn a basic truth: class consciousness does not have to be about communism or even socialism. It’s about knowing who is the enemy. It’s about knowing who is ripping you off and how it’s being done. It’s about being able to stop being robbed. No government will ever enable the population. No population will enable the individual. The herd cannot set you free.
Sunday, December 19, 2004
The Stupid and The Rich 1-2
- B does imply A
Why suffer?
"Repetition. Repetition. Repetition."
- M.E. Smith
Draft 1.0: A Work in Progress
1a. Idiots are crawling everywhere. Worse yet, they're driving. Constantly underfoot, their mass is irritating. These gibbering monkeys are annoying. They plague the roads and highways with their bad driving–their SUV is the only thing they (sort of) control. Worse yet, these annoying people believe they have an innate right to exist in a vacuum. They endanger everyone around them–yet I would go to jail if I shot one. They believe God has blessed their hollow lives. Maybe so–they certainly drive like it (and still living no less). As if the creator of an infinite universe would even care! Their egocentrism knows no bounds. They continually act against their self interest. I know if someone in an expensive car yapping on a cell phone hits me, then I've hit the jackpot! They understand little and could care less. They are stupid. They are products. Mediocre expectations spawn vacuum. "Someday a real rain will fall. . ."
1b. Why do bad drivers believe religious symbols will protect them from their bad driving? Why do bad drivers have their college alumni prominently displayed? Do they think it recommends anything about their old school? Why do bad drivers display their websites on their cars? How many have been hacked in retaliation? The long answer is needlessly complex. The short answer is stupidity multiples in a mass society. Vicarious vindication is a poor substitute for accomplishment and competency.
2. No particular group or class of people has a monopoly on stupidity; some just have more opportunity to express and propagate. No matter how vapid the intent, money buys access. Doors open for those who can afford to tip the doorman. Hence, the stupidity of the rich is magnified not unlike a magnifying glass in the sun. The remainder are the burning insects–some just never feel the heat. We can call that nationalism.
Why suffer?
"Repetition. Repetition. Repetition."
- M.E. Smith
Draft 1.0: A Work in Progress
1a. Idiots are crawling everywhere. Worse yet, they're driving. Constantly underfoot, their mass is irritating. These gibbering monkeys are annoying. They plague the roads and highways with their bad driving–their SUV is the only thing they (sort of) control. Worse yet, these annoying people believe they have an innate right to exist in a vacuum. They endanger everyone around them–yet I would go to jail if I shot one. They believe God has blessed their hollow lives. Maybe so–they certainly drive like it (and still living no less). As if the creator of an infinite universe would even care! Their egocentrism knows no bounds. They continually act against their self interest. I know if someone in an expensive car yapping on a cell phone hits me, then I've hit the jackpot! They understand little and could care less. They are stupid. They are products. Mediocre expectations spawn vacuum. "Someday a real rain will fall. . ."
1b. Why do bad drivers believe religious symbols will protect them from their bad driving? Why do bad drivers have their college alumni prominently displayed? Do they think it recommends anything about their old school? Why do bad drivers display their websites on their cars? How many have been hacked in retaliation? The long answer is needlessly complex. The short answer is stupidity multiples in a mass society. Vicarious vindication is a poor substitute for accomplishment and competency.
2. No particular group or class of people has a monopoly on stupidity; some just have more opportunity to express and propagate. No matter how vapid the intent, money buys access. Doors open for those who can afford to tip the doorman. Hence, the stupidity of the rich is magnified not unlike a magnifying glass in the sun. The remainder are the burning insects–some just never feel the heat. We can call that nationalism.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Hey Idiot #1
This feature castigates stupidity by those who should know better.
Draft 1.0
[Now, I illustrate why I write so many drafts.]
The college educated are a product of an institutional environment. The college educated often possess a will to idiocy. Their egos cannot acknowledge everything education reduces. Minds are narrowed by focus. Specialization creates deficiencies. Broad knowledge suffers by intense concentration on minutia. As a result, the mind becomes stunted as its faculties atrophy from disuse. Such people embody degeneration. Confusing facts with knowledge, they become incapable of thinking. They are lost. Most idiots will never find their way. Thus providing easy targets, their flaws are easy to expose and/or exploit for maximum advantage in all things. Although gentler than other societal institutions such as the military and the criminal justice system, the college educated are molded by their environment. Often the most rigid character is the result. The college educated chose their path therefore they are most accepting. They can quit. The soldier or criminal may prefer to remain detached, as a means to compensate for their inability to just walk away, but the successful student rarely does. Mostly, only the failures leave. Steady absorption is more encompassing. The educated elite are less likely to become repelled by their environment. The exceptions are often the most notable. These types know their place and refuse to accept the dominant mindset. Their ability is to take what is needed while leaving the rest behind. Most educated people are unable to discern systemic flaws and find strength from weakness. It provides. Most are too weak to bite the hand which feeds.
College educated people are often the most inept at basic survival skills. Mostly being a means unto themselves, institutions do not generally teach survival skills beyond their scope. Academic pursuits are not well suited to external conflicts. Intensive study is easily disrupted. The wider world becomes peripheral. An inherent intellectual danger is a tendency to project one’s beliefs on reality by the construction of elaborate verbal world. However, the manner of projection varies according to academic pursuits and specialties. None study the whole. Although impossible to entirely comprehend due to the vastness of the world, the interpretation of reality constructed by specialists will be incomplete in that entire parts will be missing or ignored. A physicist is necessarily concerned with different matters than a sociologist. Specialties are adequate for the task. Broad knowledge is more suitable. However, even at the peril of intellectual stagnation, the academic system will not promote breadth. Unless forced at the price of losing integrity, institutions usually only adapt glacially. The current trend is even greater narrowing of focus. Only technical matters can be effectively tackled through specialization. Societal problems will not be solved by professors. They might point toward solutions by exposing flaws remedied by mediocre solutions. They do not know when to quit. Their ego demands otherwise. Those who are separate from reality cannot recognize their place.
In my experience, the well-meaning are usually incompetent.
Death to the Stupid!
2003
Draft 1.0
[Now, I illustrate why I write so many drafts.]
The college educated are a product of an institutional environment. The college educated often possess a will to idiocy. Their egos cannot acknowledge everything education reduces. Minds are narrowed by focus. Specialization creates deficiencies. Broad knowledge suffers by intense concentration on minutia. As a result, the mind becomes stunted as its faculties atrophy from disuse. Such people embody degeneration. Confusing facts with knowledge, they become incapable of thinking. They are lost. Most idiots will never find their way. Thus providing easy targets, their flaws are easy to expose and/or exploit for maximum advantage in all things. Although gentler than other societal institutions such as the military and the criminal justice system, the college educated are molded by their environment. Often the most rigid character is the result. The college educated chose their path therefore they are most accepting. They can quit. The soldier or criminal may prefer to remain detached, as a means to compensate for their inability to just walk away, but the successful student rarely does. Mostly, only the failures leave. Steady absorption is more encompassing. The educated elite are less likely to become repelled by their environment. The exceptions are often the most notable. These types know their place and refuse to accept the dominant mindset. Their ability is to take what is needed while leaving the rest behind. Most educated people are unable to discern systemic flaws and find strength from weakness. It provides. Most are too weak to bite the hand which feeds.
College educated people are often the most inept at basic survival skills. Mostly being a means unto themselves, institutions do not generally teach survival skills beyond their scope. Academic pursuits are not well suited to external conflicts. Intensive study is easily disrupted. The wider world becomes peripheral. An inherent intellectual danger is a tendency to project one’s beliefs on reality by the construction of elaborate verbal world. However, the manner of projection varies according to academic pursuits and specialties. None study the whole. Although impossible to entirely comprehend due to the vastness of the world, the interpretation of reality constructed by specialists will be incomplete in that entire parts will be missing or ignored. A physicist is necessarily concerned with different matters than a sociologist. Specialties are adequate for the task. Broad knowledge is more suitable. However, even at the peril of intellectual stagnation, the academic system will not promote breadth. Unless forced at the price of losing integrity, institutions usually only adapt glacially. The current trend is even greater narrowing of focus. Only technical matters can be effectively tackled through specialization. Societal problems will not be solved by professors. They might point toward solutions by exposing flaws remedied by mediocre solutions. They do not know when to quit. Their ego demands otherwise. Those who are separate from reality cannot recognize their place.
In my experience, the well-meaning are usually incompetent.
Death to the Stupid!
2003
Friday, December 17, 2004
Factors Part 4
4. On Socialization:
Every culture and society prioritized and promotes behavior patterns deemed acceptable, thereby promoting a level of unity in deed, if not thought. Morality represents a tool to those ends. Those things regarded undesirable are considered immoral, and discouraged by varied means. Western ideals concerning love and romance are an example. Other cultures would view these as strange or even immoral. Arranged marriages are still the rule in some regions of the world. The barriers may be malleable, but the extreme will almost always invite condemnation. "Living in sin" might be an outdated concept, but marital betrayal is still regarded unacceptable. Penalties may change, but standards erode slower. Adultery might not be punishable by the stocks, but few approve. One failing might be ridiculed, where elsewhere they would be praised for the exact same behavior. Moral absolutes exist only for the nearsighted. One might be best advised to concentrate on true priorities. All else is decadence. Fulfillment comes from within, despite advertisements to the contrary.
This society smothers much individual potential under an overwhelming mass of ideals. Love is not the pinnacle of existence. Our history proves it. The capacity is simply beaten out of human beings. Else men would not fight wars, and women would not be consumed by the trivial. Hatred is a Que. Love has been extroverted and cheapened by narcissistic absorption. Impossible expectations destroy much, and limit the remainder. Unrealism could be the true cause of much considered immoral by the herd. High intensity can usually not be maintained, rather a natural waning towards maturity. The perfect state does not exist even though many expect it. Paradoxically, social pressures cause many to accept even less. Hence, misery is preserved. The sublime is ignored and obscured by non-issues. Life is lost in this process. Suppression and repression are both cheats. Those crappy products should remain unsold. Decadence has some advantages. Ostracism is no longer a concern for those who reject, but most will never even realize the advantage.
If personal lives cannot even be maintained with any equilibrium, the rest will soon follow (although differently).
1995 - 1997
Every culture and society prioritized and promotes behavior patterns deemed acceptable, thereby promoting a level of unity in deed, if not thought. Morality represents a tool to those ends. Those things regarded undesirable are considered immoral, and discouraged by varied means. Western ideals concerning love and romance are an example. Other cultures would view these as strange or even immoral. Arranged marriages are still the rule in some regions of the world. The barriers may be malleable, but the extreme will almost always invite condemnation. "Living in sin" might be an outdated concept, but marital betrayal is still regarded unacceptable. Penalties may change, but standards erode slower. Adultery might not be punishable by the stocks, but few approve. One failing might be ridiculed, where elsewhere they would be praised for the exact same behavior. Moral absolutes exist only for the nearsighted. One might be best advised to concentrate on true priorities. All else is decadence. Fulfillment comes from within, despite advertisements to the contrary.
This society smothers much individual potential under an overwhelming mass of ideals. Love is not the pinnacle of existence. Our history proves it. The capacity is simply beaten out of human beings. Else men would not fight wars, and women would not be consumed by the trivial. Hatred is a Que. Love has been extroverted and cheapened by narcissistic absorption. Impossible expectations destroy much, and limit the remainder. Unrealism could be the true cause of much considered immoral by the herd. High intensity can usually not be maintained, rather a natural waning towards maturity. The perfect state does not exist even though many expect it. Paradoxically, social pressures cause many to accept even less. Hence, misery is preserved. The sublime is ignored and obscured by non-issues. Life is lost in this process. Suppression and repression are both cheats. Those crappy products should remain unsold. Decadence has some advantages. Ostracism is no longer a concern for those who reject, but most will never even realize the advantage.
If personal lives cannot even be maintained with any equilibrium, the rest will soon follow (although differently).
1995 - 1997
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Factors Part 2-3
2. On Money:
A slow push has already begun towards a cashless society. A cashless society is easier to regulate, tax and control. Even panhandling would be affected, forcing the dispossessed into the sterile embrace of the machine. A cashless society must either be combatted, or expedited to bring its end quicker. Actual physical commodities will be necessary for barter under the nose of the monetary system. A certificate of ownership, including money, is just paper. Legal tender can be nullified. Crime prevention will justify this action. The noose is always tightened. Big brother does not need video surveillance; economic means will suffice. Certain loopholes will always exist for the benefit of the wealthy. These should be exploited while still possible. Useless diversions and decadence will present false opportunities. These should be ignored. Base materials mean power. Choice is only a means for squandering potential. Historical benchmarks may supply the best opportunities. Gold coins will always have value. Spices may well again. Money is no longer based upon any commodity, therefore it should be exchanged towards equity. Liquid assets spill too easily. Credit even presents windows. A ledger may indicate insolvency while possessing a king's ransom. Debt levels are indicators of economic strength and weakness. The situation may prove the undoing of a cashless society. Preparedness is advised.
3. Simultaneous division and unity is the key for the maintenance of authoritarian control. A significant act of will is required to break this circle. One must acknowledge the source of their (false) beliefs. No must mean more than a two letter word. Its consequences may prove resounding and possibly fatal. One should take care to be removed. Herein lies the difficulty: actually removing the shackles without simply replacing them with a shiny new substitute, or a coffin.
A slow push has already begun towards a cashless society. A cashless society is easier to regulate, tax and control. Even panhandling would be affected, forcing the dispossessed into the sterile embrace of the machine. A cashless society must either be combatted, or expedited to bring its end quicker. Actual physical commodities will be necessary for barter under the nose of the monetary system. A certificate of ownership, including money, is just paper. Legal tender can be nullified. Crime prevention will justify this action. The noose is always tightened. Big brother does not need video surveillance; economic means will suffice. Certain loopholes will always exist for the benefit of the wealthy. These should be exploited while still possible. Useless diversions and decadence will present false opportunities. These should be ignored. Base materials mean power. Choice is only a means for squandering potential. Historical benchmarks may supply the best opportunities. Gold coins will always have value. Spices may well again. Money is no longer based upon any commodity, therefore it should be exchanged towards equity. Liquid assets spill too easily. Credit even presents windows. A ledger may indicate insolvency while possessing a king's ransom. Debt levels are indicators of economic strength and weakness. The situation may prove the undoing of a cashless society. Preparedness is advised.
3. Simultaneous division and unity is the key for the maintenance of authoritarian control. A significant act of will is required to break this circle. One must acknowledge the source of their (false) beliefs. No must mean more than a two letter word. Its consequences may prove resounding and possibly fatal. One should take care to be removed. Herein lies the difficulty: actually removing the shackles without simply replacing them with a shiny new substitute, or a coffin.
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