8 Reasons Young Americans Don't Fight Back: How the US Crushed Youth Resistance
http://www.alternet.org/story/151850/8_reasons_young_americans_dont_fight_back_how_the_us_crushed_youth_resistance?page=entire
great article. It articulates a lot of frustration I have with the state of things right now. I've been looking for a good list of causes which are worth caring about, this seems like an excellent starting point.
It has the sort of vibe I got from the "All Watched Over By Loving Machines" which discusses why nobody thinks the world is going to get any better.
I should also note IOZ's reaction to this piece, here: http://whoisioz.blogspot.com/2011/08/quitting-on-your-country.html
I think IOZ hit the mark more accurately.
It's not like there is much in the way of a justifying ideology which is telling young Americans why to fight back, how to fight back and who to fight back against. Democratic "progressivism" is a morally and intellectually bankrupt morass, whose "victory" was electing a centre-right, authoritarian, oligarchy-owned President to continue the policies of the previous (somewhat more right-wing, authoritarian, oligarchy-owned) President, and writing endless, wonkish articles about health care insurance. The Democrats basically offer a "sit down, shut up and do as we say, or SARAHPALINCHRISCRISTIEMICHELEBACHMANN becomes President! And it'll all be your fault. Now here's a shit sandwich, eat up" approach to politics.
Say what you like about the tenents of Marxism, but at least it's a coherent philosophy of revolution. Outdated and hopelessly 19th century, but coherent.
Quote from: Cramulus on August 08, 2011, 05:34:18 PM
8 Reasons Young Americans Don't Fight Back: How the US Crushed Youth Resistance
Because, barring about a 2 year period, it never really existed in the first place?
Also, again, as IOZ pointed out, Americans fight back all the time.
Unfortunately for them, they are black and so the media calls it a "riot" and brutally suppresses it in a manner that, if it were to happen in Iran, would get everyone tinting their avatars green again.
Quote from: Cain on August 08, 2011, 05:49:55 PM
I think IOZ hit the mark more accurately.
It's not like there is much in the way of a justifying ideology which is telling young Americans why to fight back, how to fight back and who to fight back against. Democratic "progressivism" is a morally and intellectually bankrupt morass, whose "victory" was electing a centre-right, authoritarian, oligarchy-owned President to continue the policies of the previous (somewhat more right-wing, authoritarian, oligarchy-owned) President, and writing endless, wonkish articles about health care insurance. The Democrats basically offer a "sit down, shut up and do as we say, or SARAHPALINCHRISCRISTIEMICHELEBACHMANN becomes President! And it'll all be your fault. Now here's a shit sandwich, eat up" approach to politics.
Say what you like about the tenents of Marxism, but at least it's a coherent philosophy of revolution. Outdated and hopelessly 19th century, but coherent.
:mittens:
The only important thing going on for young people to get all in a huff about is Netflix raising its prices.
this article really caught my attention.
its helped me put into words some of the reasons why i suspect the youth of this society is so crushed.
i've been thinking about this a lot lately. I've become very skeptical of the mainstream goals of this society..
I want to know, what viable alternatives exist?
do the 21st century hippies have the right idea?
Quote from: Cain on August 08, 2011, 05:49:55 PM
Say what you like about the tenents of Marxism, but at least it's a coherent philosophy of revolution. Outdated and hopelessly 19th century, but coherent.
You don't happen to have an updated version of that, do you?
Please?
...please?
Quote from: Signor Paesior on August 09, 2011, 08:05:39 AM
Quote from: Cain on August 08, 2011, 05:49:55 PM
Say what you like about the tenents of Marxism, but at least it's a coherent philosophy of revolution. Outdated and hopelessly 19th century, but coherent.
You don't happen to have an updated version of that, do you?
Please?
...please?
http://chaosmarxism.blogspot.com/2009/05/one-key-and-nine-commitments-of-chaos.html
Cram beat me to it. There is also Gramsci and the Situationists, though they're both to be taken with a pinch of salt. The critical theorists, like Adorno and Horkheimer, also tried, but got kinda depressed about the whole thing.
I'm young, I'm smart, I'm pissed, and I have nothing left to lose. I've been waiting to figure out where to sign up, but I think the perception that signing up is all you have to do is partially indicative of the problem.
My work and education in restoration ecology have left me with a firm understanding of the importance of hope and resistance in the face of seeming futility. Can we really "restore" an ecosystem? Fuck no we can't. No matter what we do, something unexpected or undesirable will come of it. That which is done, generally speaking, cannot be undone. But we can prioritize, mitigate damage, set objectives, and work towards them using the collective wisdom and resources we have at our disposal. We can fuck up and we can learn from it and we can try something new instead of shrugging our shoulders and saying "let it burn".
I did a lot of public outreach, too. You see, the common perception is that it's a bunch of hippy tree-hugging bullshit, or that things are "natural" as they are and ought to be conserved rather than managed and restored. People are a lot more willing to give a shit and support your efforts when you get it through their skulls that what you're doing is to keep their homes from burning to the fucking ground. And let me tell you, it's incredibly satisfying to watch your friends and neighbors wake up from their apathetic or ignorant stupors and gain the desire to help ward off impending disaster in whatever ways possible.
It's not a perfect metaphor and it's not supposed to be a perfect metaphor, but as I sit here feeling the fervor for forest ecology course through me, I'm realizing its applicability. Sure. I'm a goddamned hippy. But the passion comes from a desire to protect what which I love from destruction, to keep it intact and inhabitable. Well, the ecosystem isn't the only thing keeping this place inhabitable, nor is it the only thing threatening to collapse. And I'm also a goddamned American with a desire to protect the country I love from destruction.
I have some more thinking to do. In the mean time, I'm going to keep getting mad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dib2-HBsF08).
These scattered thoughts are brought to you by a sleepless night and... this thread.
Quote from: Aneris on August 09, 2011, 05:06:45 PM
I'm young, I'm smart, I'm pissed, and I have nothing left to lose. I've been waiting to figure out where to sign up, but I think the perception that signing up is all you have to do is partially indicative of the problem.
My work and education in restoration ecology have left me with a firm understanding of the importance of hope and resistance in the face of seeming futility. Can we really "restore" an ecosystem? Fuck no we can't. No matter what we do, something unexpected or undesirable will come of it. That which is done, generally speaking, cannot be undone. But we can prioritize, mitigate damage, set objectives, and work towards them using the collective wisdom and resources we have at our disposal. We can fuck up and we can learn from it and we can try something new instead of shrugging our shoulders and saying "let it burn".
I did a lot of public outreach, too. You see, the common perception is that it's a bunch of hippy tree-hugging bullshit, or that things are "natural" as they are and ought to be conserved rather than managed and restored. People are a lot more willing to give a shit and support your efforts when you get it through their skulls that what you're doing is to keep their homes from burning to the fucking ground. And let me tell you, it's incredibly satisfying to watch your friends and neighbors wake up from their apathetic or ignorant stupors and gain the desire to help ward off impending disaster in whatever ways possible.
It's not a perfect metaphor and it's not supposed to be a perfect metaphor, but as I sit here feeling the fervor for forest ecology course through me, I'm realizing its applicability. Sure. I'm a goddamned hippy. But the passion comes from a desire to protect what which I love from destruction, to keep it intact and inhabitable. Well, the ecosystem isn't the only thing keeping this place inhabitable, nor is it the only thing threatening to collapse. And I'm also a goddamned American with a desire to protect the country I love from destruction.
I have some more thinking to do. In the mean time, I'm going to keep getting mad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dib2-HBsF08).
These scattered thoughts are brought to you by a sleepless night and... this thread.
Dude, you're a restoration ecologist? Sweet.
When I went into undergrad, I wanted to do wetland restoration ecology. Then I switched to studying bugs.
Quote from: Cramulus on August 08, 2011, 05:34:18 PM
8 Reasons Young Americans Don't Fight Back: How the US Crushed Youth Resistance
http://www.alternet.org/story/151850/8_reasons_young_americans_dont_fight_back_how_the_us_crushed_youth_resistance?page=entire
great article. It articulates a lot of frustration I have with the state of things right now. I've been looking for a good list of causes which are worth caring about, this seems like an excellent starting point.
It has the sort of vibe I got from the "All Watched Over By Loving Machines" which discusses why nobody thinks the world is going to get any better.
I should also note IOZ's reaction to this piece, here: http://whoisioz.blogspot.com/2011/08/quitting-on-your-country.html
The more I read IOZ, the more I agree with him. The state is a lie, and yet it owns us, education of today is a farce, productivity/work/economic compensation is considered to be the reason for living and yet it so obviously isn't, the "who are you calling nobody, paleface" talk, etc.
My uncle just asked me if I followed "the market" (whatever the hell that nebulous term might refer to, in or out of reality, likely just another "there is no god") and I flat out said no.
Quote from: ϗ, M.S. on August 10, 2011, 04:25:59 AM
... productivity/work/economic compensation is considered to be the reason for living...
My revolution is Slack.
Quote from: ϗ, M.S. on August 10, 2011, 04:25:59 AM
My uncle just asked me if I followed "the market" (whatever the hell that nebulous term might refer to, in or out of reality, likely just another "there is no god") and I flat out said no.
I guess your other option is to learn to play their game and realize while you will never beat them you can at least take care of you and yours.
Quote from: PopeTom on August 10, 2011, 05:56:26 PM
Quote from: ϗ, M.S. on August 10, 2011, 04:25:59 AM
... productivity/work/economic compensation is considered to be the reason for living...
My revolution is Slack.
Quote from: ϗ, M.S. on August 10, 2011, 04:25:59 AM
My uncle just asked me if I followed "the market" (whatever the hell that nebulous term might refer to, in or out of reality, likely just another "there is no god") and I flat out said no.
I guess your other option is to learn to play their game and realize while you will never beat them you can at least take care of you and yours.
I can take care of me and mine without believing in and owing my soul to some imaginary market.
Quote from: PopeTom on August 10, 2011, 05:56:26 PM
I guess your other option is to learn to play their game and realize while you will never beat them you can at least take care of you and yours.
i think it's kinda of neat that a number of people here are into ecological studies,
the reason i bring this up is: PopeTom, i believe i may have found my own way
to take their game and turn it on its ear. i'm working towards my undergrad in
Environmental Science and Management and Environmental and Natural Resource
Economics (with a minor in Soil Sciences because, fuckit, it's not like i need a social life).
and while i would be all for the youth of today (and i think i still fall into this category for
awhile longer) taking to the streets, i also know that i'm not by nature a violent person
and the burning and shit would put me off, i've found it better (for me, at least) to work
within the system (with their rules even, just to spite them) to exert influence and change.
Quote from: iarmit on August 11, 2011, 12:26:31 AM
Quote from: PopeTom on August 10, 2011, 05:56:26 PM
I guess your other option is to learn to play their game and realize while you will never beat them you can at least take care of you and yours.
i think it's kinda of neat that a number of people here are into ecological studies,
the reason i bring this up is: PopeTom, i believe i may have found my own way
to take their game and turn it on its ear. i'm working towards my undergrad in
Environmental Science and Management and Environmental and Natural Resource
Economics (with a minor in Soil Sciences because, fuckit, it's not like i need a social life).
and while i would be all for the youth of today (and i think i still fall into this category for
awhile longer) taking to the streets, i also know that i'm not by nature a violent person
and the burning and shit would put me off, i've found it better (for me, at least) to work
within the system (with their rules even, just to spite them) to exert influence and change.
Enjoy your idealism while it lasts.
I just love being treated like a child who needs to be monitored 24/7 at work. My I ask permission to take a poop or do I need to run it by you first?
Quote from: Gordon C on August 11, 2011, 04:58:22 AM
I just love being treated like a child who needs to be monitored 24/7 at work. My I ask permission to take a poop or do I need to run it by you first?
Do what i do and just poop in the trash bucket you share with your cube mate(s). My productivity went up by 15%!
Quote from: Gordon C on August 11, 2011, 04:58:22 AM
I just love being treated like a child who needs to be monitored 24/7 at work. My I ask permission to take a poop or do I need to run it by you first?
Depends. Is your hall pass poop-form in order?
Quote from: ϗ, M.S. on August 11, 2011, 02:20:31 AM
Quote from: iarmit on August 11, 2011, 12:26:31 AM
Quote from: PopeTom on August 10, 2011, 05:56:26 PM
I guess your other option is to learn to play their game and realize while you will never beat them you can at least take care of you and yours.
i think it's kinda of neat that a number of people here are into ecological studies,
the reason i bring this up is: PopeTom, i believe i may have found my own way
to take their game and turn it on its ear. i'm working towards my undergrad in
Environmental Science and Management and Environmental and Natural Resource
Economics (with a minor in Soil Sciences because, fuckit, it's not like i need a social life).
and while i would be all for the youth of today (and i think i still fall into this category for
awhile longer) taking to the streets, i also know that i'm not by nature a violent person
and the burning and shit would put me off, i've found it better (for me, at least) to work
within the system (with their rules even, just to spite them) to exert influence and change.
Enjoy your idealism while it lasts.
And enjoy the paycheck and benefits that come with working within the system after it fades.
Quote from: PopeTom on August 11, 2011, 05:53:42 AM
Quote from: Gordon C on August 11, 2011, 04:58:22 AM
I just love being treated like a child who needs to be monitored 24/7 at work. My I ask permission to take a poop or do I need to run it by you first?
Do what i do and just poop in the trash bucket you share with your cube mate(s). My productivity went up by 15%!
Well done.
Quote from: BabylonHoruv on August 11, 2011, 06:40:15 AM
Quote from: ϗ, M.S. on August 11, 2011, 02:20:31 AM
Enjoy your idealism while it lasts.
And enjoy the paycheck and benefits that come with working within the system after it fades.
your fatalistic cynicism and lack of vision is noted, thanks.
my "idealism" has already affected positive change within my (very limited)
sphere of influence, and it shall far outlast the opposition, because
while i might not necessarily be too keen on setting fire to the streets i have
no qualms about setting fire to the minds and imaginations of those around me.
and yes, i have found myself the only one in the room still arguing for a purpose.
this does not worry me
and my "paycheck" is not in government issued currency, i've gone long enough
without it to know that i can, and i have a support system of family and
friends to shore me up while i carry out my little farce. the "benefits" i receive
are not dependent upon the current system. that is kind of the fucking point.
by working to change the system, i am not worried that i will be left out to dry,
for either it will change for the better or i have not yet finished trying to change it.
but again, i thank you for your support
Quote from: iarmit on August 12, 2011, 06:01:15 AM
Quote from: BabylonHoruv on August 11, 2011, 06:40:15 AM
Quote from: ϗ, M.S. on August 11, 2011, 02:20:31 AM
Enjoy your idealism while it lasts.
And enjoy the paycheck and benefits that come with working within the system after it fades.
your fatalistic cynicism and lack of vision is noted, thanks.
my "idealism" has already affected positive change within my (very limited)
sphere of influence, and it shall far outlast the opposition, because
while i might not necessarily be too keen on setting fire to the streets i have
no qualms about setting fire to the minds and imaginations of those around me.
and yes, i have found myself the only one in the room still arguing for a purpose.
this does not worry me
and my "paycheck" is not in government issued currency, i've gone long enough
without it to know that i can, and i have a support system of family and
friends to shore me up while i carry out my little farce. the "benefits" i receive
are not dependent upon the current system. that is kind of the fucking point.
by working to change the system, i am not worried that i will be left out to dry,
for either it will change for the better or i have not yet finished trying to change it.
but again, i thank you for your support
Not /your/ government issued currency, anyway. Unless you are living in the wilderness with farms and solar powered electricity for your computers, someone is using money to supply you with Internet. However, if you are living on a farm in the wilderness with a solar powered hacked internet hook up, let me congratulate you for being completely awesome.
Quote from: ϗ, M.S. on August 12, 2011, 06:09:05 AM
Not /your/ government issued currency, anyway. Unless you are living in the wilderness with farms and solar powered electricity for your computers, someone is using money to supply you with Internet. However, if you are living on a farm in the wilderness with a solar powered hacked internet hook up, let me congratulate you for being completely awesome.
ha, oh no, i am nowhere near awesome. and it wasn't to say that i don't
have someone supporting me, so that's why i said
Quote from: iarmit on August 12, 2011, 06:01:15 AM
and my "paycheck" is not in government issued currency, i've gone long enough
without it to know that i can, and i have a support system of family and
friends to shore me up while i carry out my little farce.
the point is not to live in the woods on solar power and hacked ISP,
the point is to use the existing framework to your advantage and
twist it to the point that it fits the image you want it to take.
granted, my ideas are not everyone's, nor should they be. i just suppose that
i was a little butt-hurt in that finding a commonality with others here and
embracing it that the reaction was "foolish child, don't you know that the
system is going to beat you down, give up now and stop trying. just accept
your wage and be a contented cog in the machine."
it is my belief that one person can make a measurable impact on the world around them,
i just intend to make mine with words (of what i hope will be wisdom and right-thinking) into the
ears of those that might otherwise fuck us all over, as opposed to fire-bombing the institutions.
Did it ever occur to you that the institutions you are talking about are not woefully misguided or uncomprehending in the impact of their actions and choices, but actively wish for them to occur? That they're not being slightly irrational, but are entirely rational, and you are just not seeing the advantages which accrue from such actions.
In which case, your advice will be given all the attention one gives to a buzzing insect.
Also, I see a lot of "be a good little cog" here. No really.
Fuck off :lulz: Or stop putting words into others mouths.
Quote from: iarmit on August 12, 2011, 06:01:15 AM
Quote from: BabylonHoruv on August 11, 2011, 06:40:15 AM
Quote from: ϗ, M.S. on August 11, 2011, 02:20:31 AM
Enjoy your idealism while it lasts.
And enjoy the paycheck and benefits that come with working within the system after it fades.
your fatalistic cynicism and lack of vision is noted, thanks.
my "idealism" has already affected positive change within my (very limited)
sphere of influence, and it shall far outlast the opposition, because
while i might not necessarily be too keen on setting fire to the streets i have
no qualms about setting fire to the minds and imaginations of those around me.
and yes, i have found myself the only one in the room still arguing for a purpose.
this does not worry me
and my "paycheck" is not in government issued currency, i've gone long enough
without it to know that i can, and i have a support system of family and
friends to shore me up while i carry out my little farce. the "benefits" i receive
are not dependent upon the current system. that is kind of the fucking point.
by working to change the system, i am not worried that i will be left out to dry,
for either it will change for the better or i have not yet finished trying to change it.
but again, i thank you for your support
Um.
Patchouli?
The problem with "working in the system" is that it automatically privileges "the system", aka the status quo, the way things currently are, as a mode of organization. Following on from that, it therefore it reasonable to assume that the only methods of "reforming" the system will be those the system actually allows.
Which is pretty useless if the system in question is a giant behemoth death-machine that sees you as a tribute-extraction being and occasional human shield.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on August 12, 2011, 05:46:32 PM
Quote from: iarmit on August 12, 2011, 06:01:15 AM
Quote from: BabylonHoruv on August 11, 2011, 06:40:15 AM
Quote from: ϗ, M.S. on August 11, 2011, 02:20:31 AM
Enjoy your idealism while it lasts.
And enjoy the paycheck and benefits that come with working within the system after it fades.
your fatalistic cynicism and lack of vision is noted, thanks.
my "idealism" has already affected positive change within my (very limited)
sphere of influence, and it shall far outlast the opposition, because
while i might not necessarily be too keen on setting fire to the streets i have
no qualms about setting fire to the minds and imaginations of those around me.
and yes, i have found myself the only one in the room still arguing for a purpose.
this does not worry me
and my "paycheck" is not in government issued currency, i've gone long enough
without it to know that i can, and i have a support system of family and
friends to shore me up while i carry out my little farce. the "benefits" i receive
are not dependent upon the current system. that is kind of the fucking point.
by working to change the system, i am not worried that i will be left out to dry,
for either it will change for the better or i have not yet finished trying to change it.
but again, i thank you for your support
Um.
Patchouli?
Well it obviously wasn't in educational spending...... :|
Also, between this and Eartha, it seems this website is filled with cynical, middle class apologist, bomb throwing, "burn down the system" boosters for the status quo.
Which is actually much more common a politcal position than people would believe (see: Lenin).
Quote from: Khara on August 12, 2011, 05:50:05 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on August 12, 2011, 05:46:32 PM
Quote from: iarmit on August 12, 2011, 06:01:15 AM
Quote from: BabylonHoruv on August 11, 2011, 06:40:15 AM
Quote from: ϗ, M.S. on August 11, 2011, 02:20:31 AM
Enjoy your idealism while it lasts.
And enjoy the paycheck and benefits that come with working within the system after it fades.
your fatalistic cynicism and lack of vision is noted, thanks.
my "idealism" has already affected positive change within my (very limited)
sphere of influence, and it shall far outlast the opposition, because
while i might not necessarily be too keen on setting fire to the streets i have
no qualms about setting fire to the minds and imaginations of those around me.
and yes, i have found myself the only one in the room still arguing for a purpose.
this does not worry me
and my "paycheck" is not in government issued currency, i've gone long enough
without it to know that i can, and i have a support system of family and
friends to shore me up while i carry out my little farce. the "benefits" i receive
are not dependent upon the current system. that is kind of the fucking point.
by working to change the system, i am not worried that i will be left out to dry,
for either it will change for the better or i have not yet finished trying to change it.
but again, i thank you for your support
Um.
Patchouli?
Well it obviously wasn't in educational spending...... :|
You can't blame him (her?). The cutbacks mean they don't have any shift keys at his/her university.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on August 12, 2011, 05:53:07 PM
Quote from: Khara on August 12, 2011, 05:50:05 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on August 12, 2011, 05:46:32 PM
Quote from: iarmit on August 12, 2011, 06:01:15 AM
Quote from: BabylonHoruv on August 11, 2011, 06:40:15 AM
Quote from: ϗ, M.S. on August 11, 2011, 02:20:31 AM
Enjoy your idealism while it lasts.
And enjoy the paycheck and benefits that come with working within the system after it fades.
your fatalistic cynicism and lack of vision is noted, thanks.
my "idealism" has already affected positive change within my (very limited)
sphere of influence, and it shall far outlast the opposition, because
while i might not necessarily be too keen on setting fire to the streets i have
no qualms about setting fire to the minds and imaginations of those around me.
and yes, i have found myself the only one in the room still arguing for a purpose.
this does not worry me
and my "paycheck" is not in government issued currency, i've gone long enough
without it to know that i can, and i have a support system of family and
friends to shore me up while i carry out my little farce. the "benefits" i receive
are not dependent upon the current system. that is kind of the fucking point.
by working to change the system, i am not worried that i will be left out to dry,
for either it will change for the better or i have not yet finished trying to change it.
but again, i thank you for your support
Um.
Patchouli?
Well it obviously wasn't in educational spending...... :|
You can't blame him (her?). The cutbacks mean they don't have any shift keys at his/her university.
You have no idea how many annoyances you have just explained for me. Thank you Dok. I can rest better this weekend. I've been thinking it was sheer laziness and a "I can't be bothered" attitude. Or complete stupidity. The jury was still out. Now I know the problem and can direct my rage accordingly :wink:
Quote from: Cain
Did it ever occur to you that the institutions you are talking about are not woefully misguided or uncomprehending in the impact of their actions and choices, but actively wish for them to occur? That they're not being slightly irrational, but are entirely rational, and you are just not seeing the advantages which accrue from such actions.
In which case, your advice will be given all the attention one gives to a buzzing insect.
...
The problem with "working in the system" is that it automatically privileges "the system", aka the status quo, the way things currently are, as a mode of organization. Following on from that, it therefore it reasonable to assume that the only methods of "reforming" the system will be those the system actually allows.
Which is pretty useless if the system in question is a giant behemoth death-machine that sees you as a tribute-extraction being and occasional human shield.
I was trying to avoid going into specifics, but yes, I have considered that
those of the institution are aware of their actions. This is the reason I have
chosen to act in the past or chosen to not act. I do not just throw myself
into the fray willy-nilly, railing against institutions for railing's sake. But if I
think that there is something happening that is not in the best interest of
myself and others (particularly when these actions and thoughts are from
those purportedly in position to assist those they are harming), then I feel
it my Responsibility as a thinking individual to see if there can't be something
done about it.
There has been a culture of financial and procedural tom-foolery within certain
departments of my little community college (namely with the fees the students
pay that are earmarked for Student Life, and the Student Government that
nominally controls these funds). Along with a small group of like-minded students,
we have brought these concerns to light in a matter that required the college
to begin to rectify the problems in-house (because frankly, I have no real
problem with the college, just how certain people were handling certain monies).
These efforts were recognized by my state's General Treauserer and House
of Representatives (which is laughable, considering the state of Rhode Island's
finances, but it helped to serve my purposes), and by other colleges within
the US (mostly in California).
So as I had stated earlier, my idealism has been tested, and these experiences
have only improved my skills and abilities to work within the system. Luckily
for me, it was not the entirety of the system that was flawed, but only parts
of it (though I did have to force those parts to accept my attempts to use
the system as intended). But yes, to cede the point, if I find myself against
a system designed to exclude any attempts to change it I might have to
re-asses my methods... but then again, I'm only working within my small
sphere of influence.
Quote from: Cain
Also, I see a lot of "be a good little cog" here. No really.
Fuck off Or stop putting words into others mouths.
Aye, I was butt-hurt, but if their implication was not as I presented it, mea culpa.
Additionally, I did not mean to cause such irritation with my lack of proper
capitalization (and I am male, Dok, for what it is worth), but rather, much
like my silly line breaks, it is more of an affectation of my writing; one that
can be changed.
Quote from: iarmit on August 12, 2011, 06:01:15 AM
your fatalistic cynicism and lack of vision is noted, thanks.
If you look around on this forum you'd find I am neither fatalistic nor blind. I'm preparing for a collapse of industrial society, and I plan to live forever (or die trying). I don't get paid, just like you, but unlike you I am working within a reality based view of possibilities and necessity. And let me emphasize, I am working. I work so hard that I fall asleep on the train going home. That's not the sign of a fatalist, thats the sign of someone doing work with so much driven passion that they need have no expectations of any repayment. Because, frankly, the meaning behind documenting and curating our scientific, cultural and biological heritage is inherent.
I am a visionary, and the vision is scary. And wonderous. And terrifying. I plan for but try not to think too much about Venus, for example, lest I be paralyzed.
Quote from: ϗ, M.S. on August 13, 2011, 02:36:11 AM
I am a visionary, and the vision is scary. And wonderous. And terrifying. I plan for but try not to think too much about Venus, for example, lest I be paralyzed.
I had a horrible image of the goddess Venus as a Lovecraftian aberration because of this post. :lulz:
Quote from: ϗ, M.S. on August 11, 2011, 02:20:31 AM
Enjoy your idealism while it lasts.
This was what came off as fatalistic and cynical. The assumption that I would
lose my ideals. It sounds you have not lost yours, and for this I applaud,
but I took umbrage at your assertion I would lose mine.
Beyond that, it seems I genuinely misread you, and admittedly I was not
familiar with your other works on the board when I spoke.
I'll try not to make the same mistake twice.
You might do well to try and give others the benefit of the doubt, even the noobs
Quote from: iarmit on August 11, 2011, 12:26:31 AM
Quote from: PopeTom on August 10, 2011, 05:56:26 PM
I guess your other option is to learn to play their game and realize while you will never beat them you can at least take care of you and yours.
i think it's kinda of neat that a number of people here are into ecological studies,
the reason i bring this up is: PopeTom, i believe i may have found my own way
to take their game and turn it on its ear. i'm working towards my undergrad in
Environmental Science and Management and Environmental and Natural Resource
Economics (with a minor in Soil Sciences because, fuckit, it's not like i need a social life).
and while i would be all for the youth of today (and i think i still fall into this category for
awhile longer) taking to the streets, i also know that i'm not by nature a violent person
and the burning and shit would put me off, i've found it better (for me, at least) to work
within the system (with their rules even, just to spite them) to exert influence and change.
The bitterness and burnout you are setting yourself up to experience in ten years will taste SO SWEET. :lulz:
Quote from: Nigel on August 13, 2011, 03:14:26 AM
The bitterness and burnout you are setting yourself up to experience in ten years will taste SO SWEET. :lulz:
I suppose it would seem as such, but you would think different if you knew
me... I used to do volunteer tech support, you learn patience
In the system, out of the system... To rephrase something i've heard before:
"The system doesn't recognize discordia, because dicordia doesn't recognize the system."
Or:
There is no spoon. Use a fork.
Quote from: iarmit on August 13, 2011, 05:50:53 AM
Quote from: Nigel on August 13, 2011, 03:14:26 AM
The bitterness and burnout you are setting yourself up to experience in ten years will taste SO SWEET. :lulz:
I suppose it would seem as such, but you would think different if you knew
me... I used to do volunteer tech support, you learn patience
Your naivete is refreshing.
Thanks
I was awfully, horrifically certain that I could Change Things if I could just manage to make people aware of the raw power and capability of their own bodies. I boiled down any philosophy, worldview to that one point. You are in control of your body, which is where any line of action must inevitably start from. Your physical being is the beginning of every single influence you could have over the entire fucking universe. Fucking EMPOWERMENT. :lol:
Which, while true or not*, is completely moot because the majority only care about their bodies in the most superficial ways. If that.
* It's not.
Quote from: Alty on August 13, 2011, 08:01:00 AM
I was awfully, horrifically certain that I could Change Things if I could just manage to make people aware of the raw power and capability of their own bodies. I boiled down any philosophy, worldview to that one point. You are in control of your body, which is where any line of action must inevitably start from. Your physical being is the beginning of every single influence you could have over the entire fucking universe. Fucking EMPOWERMENT. :lol:
Which, while true or not*, is completely moot because the majority only care about their bodies in the most superficial ways. If that.
* It's not.
One's "locus" (Latin for "place" or "location") can either be internal (meaning the person believes that they control their [body]life) or external (meaning they believe that their environment, some higher power, or other people control their decisions and their life).
Please note that I am asserting* this is absolute fact.