Such obscenity and betrayal of humanity is the only way the Trumps, Netanyahus, Orbans, Hitlers, Mussolinis, Pinochets, Mao Zedongs, Ceaușescus hold onto power.
It's head spinning, Diana. I've always been pretty skeptical and suspicious of the official narrative, but what is happening now and the pace it is all spilling out is stunning. We hit a tipping point and are on the downside slide.
In the spirit of Erich Fromm, author of Escape Fromm Freedom where in 1941 he described the sociological/ psychological ways we escape freedom to authoritarianism /fascism, I salute you Mark!
Thanks, Glen. I have read Fromm years ago but don't know that I read 'Escape From Freedom'. I need to check it out.
For others who might be interested, here is the book description:
"If humanity cannot live with the dangers and responsibilities inherent in freedom, it will probably turn to authoritarianism. This is the central idea of Escape from Freedom, a landmark work by one of the most distinguished thinkers of our time, and a book that is as timely now as when first published in 1941. Few books have thrown such light upon the forces that shape modern society or penetrated so deeply into the causes of authoritarian systems. If the rise of democracy set some people free, at the same time it gave birth to a society in which the individual feels alienated and dehumanized. Using the insights of psychoanalysis as probing agents, Fromm's work analyzes the illness of contemporary civilization as witnessed by its willingness to submit to totalitarian rule."
Note the year he wrote it. A parallel point in history.
Please check it out! Every time I read an analysis of what's going on I think, why don't these people read Fromm-especially Escape From Freedom. In the book I am writing, I describe us as escape artists. Our civilization has been a growth of richer and faster more efficient means of escapism-materialism rather than humanism...a semi- comatose-unconscious civilization of specialists with narrow focuses unable to see the biggest of pictures-the highest of priorities.....we have economists without any sense of ecology.
Fromm inspired MLK and many other great thinkers. Fromm may be the most insightful humanist we have ever had.
Are you familiar with Tony Greenstein and his book on Zionism? He is extraordinary and courageous. I did this post last spring:
"Jewish Scholar's Book Reveals Zionism's Fascist Roots & Close Collaborative Role With Nazi Regime" ... Learning American Zionist leaders had opposed the entry of Jewish refugees from Europe during World War II began a life-long exploration of Zionism's fascist roots.
Yes, I do remember that post. EXCELLENT work! Context is everything! It sickens me whenever Israel is discussed without identifying it as an evil idea to begin with and an even greater evil as a reality-Nation. Our unconscious civilization of narrow focuses lacks context which means lacks reality which means lacks sanity. We are not a sane society. And that's literally speaking. Iain McGilchrist in The Matter With Things: Our Brains, Our Delusions, and the Unmaking of the World goes into how easily we escape from reality and freedom. In short, we would do better if we attended to the world much more like the indigenous peoples "savages" our enlightened ways concurred with might makes right. Enlightenment narrowed our attending.
I do not get that sense. Few pay attention to Gaza or what's happening to the immigrants, though Trump's approval ratings are plummeting, but I think that is primarily due to economics ... the price of food is getting tough for many. My sense is there is a growing unease that most are unwilling to look at.
Quite apart from the unconscionable genocide in Gaza and Netanyahu’s plans for Greater Israel, what’s happening in US is really the beginning of a Noicide - a new Dark Ages on so many levels. What you write is beyond shocking. I hope your excellent posts will one day, along with many others recording this period in history, will survive for future generations. Reading about what’s happening in your country is like reading a dystopian novel. Stay safe Mark.
Thanks, Judy, you as well. I think we are headed into a global catastrophe ... WW III. At least that seems to be the intent of the psychopath corporate greedheads currently running the US into the ground.
"One may be safe today, but tomorrow you could be on the shit list. It’s a feature, not a flaw."
Exactly. It's so hard to make those who feel that they're in the "right" see that it's only a matter of time until the Fearless Leader deems they are unworthy as well and should be disposed of in Alligator Alcatraz or worse. You wouldn't believe the number of comments I've received whenever I've mentioned the lack of due process for immigrants and others. For some reason, you have folks who think "due process" means kidnapping a person off the street and sending them to a torture prison in El Salvador. When I give them the actual legal definition and the Amendments that allude to it (The 4th and 5th) I'm told I'm making it all up! I guess they'll be happy when the entire Constitution is flushed down the drain? SIGH.
And it's not just the GOP that is "guarding the pedophiles". The DNC has kept the Epstein files under wrap for a long while as well. I guess documentation about Bill Clinton's numerous trips on the Lolita Express is something they'd rather not expose to the public?
I can't imagine how tough it must be to be American right now. We desperately need systems change.
It's head spinning, Diana. I've always been pretty skeptical and suspicious of the official narrative, but what is happening now and the pace it is all spilling out is stunning. We hit a tipping point and are on the downside slide.
It's true, Mark. It is head spinning.
In the spirit of Erich Fromm, author of Escape Fromm Freedom where in 1941 he described the sociological/ psychological ways we escape freedom to authoritarianism /fascism, I salute you Mark!
Thanks, Glen. I have read Fromm years ago but don't know that I read 'Escape From Freedom'. I need to check it out.
For others who might be interested, here is the book description:
"If humanity cannot live with the dangers and responsibilities inherent in freedom, it will probably turn to authoritarianism. This is the central idea of Escape from Freedom, a landmark work by one of the most distinguished thinkers of our time, and a book that is as timely now as when first published in 1941. Few books have thrown such light upon the forces that shape modern society or penetrated so deeply into the causes of authoritarian systems. If the rise of democracy set some people free, at the same time it gave birth to a society in which the individual feels alienated and dehumanized. Using the insights of psychoanalysis as probing agents, Fromm's work analyzes the illness of contemporary civilization as witnessed by its willingness to submit to totalitarian rule."
Note the year he wrote it. A parallel point in history.
Please check it out! Every time I read an analysis of what's going on I think, why don't these people read Fromm-especially Escape From Freedom. In the book I am writing, I describe us as escape artists. Our civilization has been a growth of richer and faster more efficient means of escapism-materialism rather than humanism...a semi- comatose-unconscious civilization of specialists with narrow focuses unable to see the biggest of pictures-the highest of priorities.....we have economists without any sense of ecology.
Fromm inspired MLK and many other great thinkers. Fromm may be the most insightful humanist we have ever had.
I just called my local bookseller and ordered it.
Fromm was a Jew who escaped Germany well ahead of time. He was against ZIONISM! As was Einstein like any humanistic Jew.
Are you familiar with Tony Greenstein and his book on Zionism? He is extraordinary and courageous. I did this post last spring:
"Jewish Scholar's Book Reveals Zionism's Fascist Roots & Close Collaborative Role With Nazi Regime" ... Learning American Zionist leaders had opposed the entry of Jewish refugees from Europe during World War II began a life-long exploration of Zionism's fascist roots.
https://mark192.substack.com/p/jewish-scholars-book-reveals-fascist
Yes, I do remember that post. EXCELLENT work! Context is everything! It sickens me whenever Israel is discussed without identifying it as an evil idea to begin with and an even greater evil as a reality-Nation. Our unconscious civilization of narrow focuses lacks context which means lacks reality which means lacks sanity. We are not a sane society. And that's literally speaking. Iain McGilchrist in The Matter With Things: Our Brains, Our Delusions, and the Unmaking of the World goes into how easily we escape from reality and freedom. In short, we would do better if we attended to the world much more like the indigenous peoples "savages" our enlightened ways concurred with might makes right. Enlightenment narrowed our attending.
Do ‘normal’ Americans (not just the woke ones😉) feel things are as bad as they seem to the rest of us?
I do not get that sense. Few pay attention to Gaza or what's happening to the immigrants, though Trump's approval ratings are plummeting, but I think that is primarily due to economics ... the price of food is getting tough for many. My sense is there is a growing unease that most are unwilling to look at.
Quite apart from the unconscionable genocide in Gaza and Netanyahu’s plans for Greater Israel, what’s happening in US is really the beginning of a Noicide - a new Dark Ages on so many levels. What you write is beyond shocking. I hope your excellent posts will one day, along with many others recording this period in history, will survive for future generations. Reading about what’s happening in your country is like reading a dystopian novel. Stay safe Mark.
Thanks, Judy, you as well. I think we are headed into a global catastrophe ... WW III. At least that seems to be the intent of the psychopath corporate greedheads currently running the US into the ground.
"One may be safe today, but tomorrow you could be on the shit list. It’s a feature, not a flaw."
Exactly. It's so hard to make those who feel that they're in the "right" see that it's only a matter of time until the Fearless Leader deems they are unworthy as well and should be disposed of in Alligator Alcatraz or worse. You wouldn't believe the number of comments I've received whenever I've mentioned the lack of due process for immigrants and others. For some reason, you have folks who think "due process" means kidnapping a person off the street and sending them to a torture prison in El Salvador. When I give them the actual legal definition and the Amendments that allude to it (The 4th and 5th) I'm told I'm making it all up! I guess they'll be happy when the entire Constitution is flushed down the drain? SIGH.
And it's not just the GOP that is "guarding the pedophiles". The DNC has kept the Epstein files under wrap for a long while as well. I guess documentation about Bill Clinton's numerous trips on the Lolita Express is something they'd rather not expose to the public?