Principia Discordia

Principia Discordia => Literate Chaotic => Topic started by: SMFabal on June 01, 2003, 09:14:41 PM

Title: Wisdom from Robert Heinlein (Part 1)
Post by: SMFabal on June 01, 2003, 09:14:41 PM
I've seen alot of people talking about how our (the USA) government has been acting lately. I just thought I'd bring out some of Robert Heinlein's thoughts on how Government works; I use for the most part Heinlein's definitive work, Stranger in a Strange Land

Quote from: Stranger in a Strange Land, in responce to allegations that politicians seek only to keep themselves in officeA government is a living organism. Like every living thing, its prime characteristic is the instinct to survive. You hit it, it fights back.

Quote from: Stranger in a Strange Land, in response that Americans are not reacting rationally to terrorist treatsHe did not expect reasonable conduct from human beings; most people were candidates for protective restraint.

Quote from: Stranger in a Strange Land, in respose to any argument for elimnating goverment altogetherMan, a social animal, could not avoid government, any more than an individual could escape bondage to his bowels

Quote from: Stranger in a Strange Land in resopnce to talk of 'smashing the system'Democracy is a poor system; the only thing that can be said for it is that it's eight times as good as any other method. Its worst fault is that its leaders reflect their constituents - a low level, but what do you expect?

Quote from: Stranger in a Strange Land in response to the American Governments attempts to 'free' countries under repressive regimesI used to think I served humanity ... and I pleasured in the thought. Then I discovered that humanity does not want to be served; on the contrary, it resents any attempt to serve it. Now I do what pleases [myself].

Quote from: Stranger in a Strange Land in response to attempt to make certain activities and substances illegalI see he beauty of Mike's attempt to devise an ideal ethic and applaud his recognition that such must start by junking the present sexual code and starting fresh. Most philosophers haven't the courage for this; they swallow the basics of the present code - monogamy, family pattern, continence, body taboos, conventional restrictions on intercourse, and so forth - then fiddle with details ... even such piffle as discussing whether the female breast is an obscene sight!
But mostly they debate how we can be made to obey this code - ignoring the evidence that most tragedies the see around them are rooted in the code itself rather than in failure to abide by it.


Before anyone says so, I know I have no original thoughts in my head; I also know I am acting as a slave to the system (so there, Rev. Roger!  :P )

Quote from: Matrix ReloadedIt was discovered that 99% of people would choose to be slaves, even if the choice was only given subconciously
Title: Re: Wisdom from Robert Heinlein (Part 1)
Post by: zenji on June 07, 2003, 10:27:07 PM
Quote from: SMFabalI've seen alot of people talking about how our (the USA) government has been acting lately. I just thought I'd bring out some of Robert Heinlein's thoughts on how Government works; I use for the most part Heinlein's definitive work, Stranger in a Strange Land

Quote from: Stranger in a Strange Land, in responce to allegations that politicians seek only to keep themselves in officeA government is a living organism. Like every living thing, its prime characteristic is the instinct to survive. You hit it, it fights back.

Quote from: Stranger in a Strange Land, in response that Americans are not reacting rationally to terrorist treatsHe did not expect reasonable conduct from human beings; most people were candidates for protective restraint.

Quote from: Stranger in a Strange Land, in respose to any argument for elimnating goverment altogetherMan, a social animal, could not avoid government, any more than an individual could escape bondage to his bowels

Quote from: Stranger in a Strange Land in resopnce to talk of 'smashing the system'Democracy is a poor system; the only thing that can be said for it is that it's eight times as good as any other method. Its worst fault is that its leaders reflect their constituents - a low level, but what do you expect?

Quote from: Stranger in a Strange Land in response to the American Governments attempts to 'free' countries under repressive regimesI used to think I served humanity ... and I pleasured in the thought. Then I discovered that humanity does not want to be served; on the contrary, it resents any attempt to serve it. Now I do what pleases [myself].

Quote from: Stranger in a Strange Land in response to attempt to make certain activities and substances illegalI see he beauty of Mike's attempt to devise an ideal ethic and applaud his recognition that such must start by junking the present sexual code and starting fresh. Most philosophers haven't the courage for this; they swallow the basics of the present code - monogamy, family pattern, continence, body taboos, conventional restrictions on intercourse, and so forth - then fiddle with details ... even such piffle as discussing whether the female breast is an obscene sight!
But mostly they debate how we can be made to obey this code - ignoring the evidence that most tragedies the see around them are rooted in the code itself rather than in failure to abide by it.


Before anyone says so, I know I have no original thoughts in my head; I also know I am acting as a slave to the system (so there, Rev. Roger!  :P )

Quote from: Matrix ReloadedIt was discovered that 99% of people would choose to be slaves, even if the choice was only given subconciously

No.............that was 99.99999% recurring AMERICAN'S choose to be slaves! :shock:
Title: Wisdom from Robert Heinlein (Part 1)
Post by: Spoon E. Gee on October 12, 2003, 10:08:37 PM
no it was... 72% of all statistics are false..
Title: Wisdom from Robert Heinlein (Part 1)
Post by: Penumbral on October 12, 2003, 10:12:39 PM
A resent statistic concludes that 100% of people are willing to take surveys.
Title: Wisdom from Robert Heinlein (Part 1)
Post by: Spoon E. Gee on October 12, 2003, 10:45:00 PM
the ones those fat ladys in the mall always try to push on you like drugs?

*sneaks up behind you and surrounds you*  "WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE A SURVEY?"
Title: Wisdom from Robert Heinlein (Part 1)
Post by: Spoon E. Gee on October 12, 2003, 10:46:34 PM
did you notice how Penumbral's avatar looks like mine? just mine is upside down...
Title: Wisdom from Robert Heinlein (Part 1)
Post by: Penumbral on October 12, 2003, 11:32:52 PM
:shock:  Wow dude thats really weird. OK now stop your freaking me out.
Title: Wisdom from Robert Heinlein (Part 1)
Post by: Bella on October 13, 2003, 10:05:08 AM
Almost like a  reflection in a lake, isn't it? Which is the original and which is the reflection, tho?
Title: Wisdom from Robert Heinlein (Part 1)
Post by: Spoon E. Gee on October 13, 2003, 04:34:21 PM
*starts singing*
one of these things..
is not like the other....
one of these things...
doesnt belong..
Title: Wisdom from Robert Heinlein (Part 1)
Post by: Slarti on February 05, 2004, 10:04:47 PM
i'm currently reading Stranger in a Strange Land: it's so amazingly awesome.
Title: Wisdom from Robert Heinlein (Part 1)
Post by: Slarti on February 13, 2004, 11:39:51 PM
wowser fucking apaluco gold. that was the best book i've ever read
Title: Wisdom from Robert Heinlein (Part 1)
Post by: Guido Finucci on February 14, 2004, 10:30:24 AM
Quote from: Slarti las Papas Fritaswowser fucking apaluco gold

Indeed. Coramandel Gold - now that will fuck you up.
Title: Wisdom from Robert Heinlein (Part 1)
Post by: Tallgeese on March 21, 2004, 03:03:58 AM
Quote from: Spoon E. Geeno it was... 72% of all statistics are false..

Only 65% of people know that.
Title: Wisdom from Robert Heinlein (Part 1)
Post by: Irreverend Hugh, KSC on March 21, 2004, 03:04:32 AM
Quote from: Tallgeese
Quote from: Spoon E. Geeno it was... 72% of all statistics are false..

Only 65% of people know that.

And only 46% agree.
Title: Wisdom from Robert Heinlein (Part 1)
Post by: Malaria test subject #777 on May 30, 2004, 05:28:18 PM
I just read the top post in this thread.
It's so timely that I'm bumping it back up.