The ridiculous violence in N.O.
The rise in violence is a natural consequence of the selfish me-first culture that has infected the whole of Anglo-American society since Thatcher, Reagan and Friedman rose to prominence and put an end to the concept of society - replacing it with the cult of individual success.
We worship celebrities, billionaires, money, personal success, personal fulfilment, individual freedom (which is largely a sham choice of what stupid saying you want emblazened on your Nikes), and have progressively turned our backs on any form of cooperative, collective endeavour, because it smacks of Socialism.
We are fascinated by TV shows that reveal the fabulous lives of spoiled crib-obsessed 'celebs' and showcase the outrageous wealth and privilege of corporate bullies, we do the lottery not to change the lives of our fellow man but to join the elite club ourselves.
Rampant inequality and social injustice permeate every layer of society and yet the downtrodden prefer to prey on each other for a quick hit than to reject selfishness and work together to create a caring, supportive alternative society.
In an internet age it doesn't cost a fortune to set up people's universities, home-study groups and libraries. We could share our unwanted possessions, use churches as creches and schools, recruit reformed drug addicts and gang bangers and pay them to work in the community - giving them an honest source of income and a chance to stop the next-generation falling prey to the same cycle of alienation and violence.
Whoah.
I dont even know where to start...lets see.
The rise in violence is a natural consequence of the selfish me-first culture that has infected the whole of Anglo-American society since Thatcher, Reagan and Friedman rose to prominence and put an end to the concept of society - replacing it with the cult of individual success.
So, in your view, prior to the Mid 70's, early 80's, America was a collective society based on shared wealth and property? Seriously? America, in it's founding and the way it's been for most of it's existence has been the epitome of individual liberty, freedom, and given people the ability to pursue their happieness and wealth. Im not fan of Reagan or Thratcher, both were war-mongers and crony capitalist IMO, and Reagan oversaw one of the most damaging eras of drug proliferation in history, but to say it started with them is absurd. Friedman? The Fed Chairman? I know he is the boogie man to most liberals and socialist but how can he be blamed for inner city violence?
We worship celebrities, billionaires, money, personal success, personal fulfilment, individual freedom (which is largely a sham choice of what stupid saying you want emblazened on your Nikes), and have progressively turned our backs on any form of cooperative, collective endeavour, because it smacks of Socialism.
Personal success, freedom, fulfilment is a bad thing? Call me crazy :rolleyes:
And you can still have forms of collectivism towards a common goal, but still have a society based on individual freedoms. America, from it's founding onto about 1970 is proof of that. People worked together to further their own self interests, while at the same time advancing the collective interests. Sorry to break it to you bit it works while socialism has completely failed.
We are fascinated by TV shows that reveal the fabulous lives of spoiled crib-obsessed 'celebs' and showcase the outrageous wealth and privilege of corporate bullies, we do the lottery not to change the lives of our fellow man but to join the elite club ourselves.
Cant argue with ya there.
Rampant inequality and social injustice permeate every layer of society and yet the downtrodden prefer to prey on each other for a quick hit than to reject selfishness and work together to create a caring, supportive alternative society.
Cant argue much here either other than you should look at the root of the cause of the further widening inequality in society. There will never be a equal society, ever, but the coroporatist and crony capitalist have a strong hold on the wealth in this country with the power of force (govt). You try to start an alternative society you will be exterminated, not because we are too free, but because we are not free.
In an internet age it doesn't cost a fortune to set up people's universities, home-study groups and libraries. We could share our unwanted possessions, use churches as creches and schools, recruit reformed drug addicts and gang bangers and pay them to work in the community - giving them an honest source of income and a chance to stop the next-generation falling prey to the same cycle of alienation and violence
Sounds like a great idea, seriously, and Im sure there are many out there doing this exact same thing. Khan University comes to mind, as a great great free online education. But at the end of the day its up to people to want to do it.