Wisdom from Robert Heinlein (Part 1)

[SMFabal]

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

A government is a living organism. Like every living thing, its prime characteristic is the instinct to survive. You hit it, it fights back.

He did not expect reasonable conduct from human beings; most people were candidates for protective restraint.

Man, a social animal, could not avoid government, any more than an individual could escape bondage to his bowels

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?

I 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].

I 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 )

It was discovered that 99% of people would choose to be slaves, even if the choice was only given subconciously

[zenji]

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

A government is a living organism. Like every living thing, its prime characteristic is the instinct to survive. You hit it, it fights back.

He did not expect reasonable conduct from human beings; most people were candidates for protective restraint.

Man, a social animal, could not avoid government, any more than an individual could escape bondage to his bowels

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?

I 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].

I 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 )

It 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!

[Spoon E. Gee]

no it was... 72% of all statistics are false..

[Penumbral]

A resent statistic concludes that 100% of people are willing to take surveys.

[Spoon E. Gee]

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?"

[Spoon E. Gee]

did you notice how Penumbral's avatar looks like mine? just mine is upside down...

[Penumbral]

 Wow dude thats really weird. OK now stop your freaking me out.

[Bella]

Almost like a  reflection in a lake, isn't it? Which is the original and which is the reflection, tho?

[Spoon E. Gee]

*starts singing*
one of these things..
is not like the other....
one of these things...
doesnt belong..

[Slarti]

i'm currently reading Stranger in a Strange Land: it's so amazingly awesome.

[Slarti]

wowser fucking apaluco gold. that was the best book i've ever read

[Guido Finucci]

wowser fucking apaluco gold

Indeed. Coramandel Gold - now that will fuck you up.

[Tallgeese]

no it was... 72% of all statistics are false..

Only 65% of people know that.

[Irreverend Hugh, KSC]

no it was... 72% of all statistics are false..

Only 65% of people know that.

And only 46% agree.

[Malaria test subject #777]

I just read the top post in this thread.
It's so timely that I'm bumping it back up.