Hlafordlaes
Disorder of Kilopi
Thinking adults who read history know this tragedy was in the works in the UK and the US when Thatcher declared, with Reagan nodding, "There is no society, only individuals". While avoiding those on Left or Right who would read their own ideologies into it, the most important "revolution" in all of human history was the so-termed "Neolithic Revolution". In descriptive terms, what made possible the shift from hunting (savagery for 200,000 years) to agriculture was the willingness to cooperate. The ensuing production surpluses allowed for the specialization of labor and, most vitally, a trade economy and private property. But in that order: peaceful cooperation under agreed rules is the necessary condition for civilization. Not money, "perfect markets" or property, but agreeing to live by some basic rules. What Reagan and Thatcher did for their nations is slyly substitute the idea of the untamed wilding living in savagery, free to kill at pleasure, for precious liberty, freedom under common agreed governance. Once that fix had gone in (thanks, Libertarians), all mention of "freedom" has meant dismantling good governance and freedom for the wealthy to take, but not participate. Logically, this appeals not only to the rich, but to lovers of stone axes and dripping blood, today's "true" Americans and "sovereignty-mad" Brexiteers.
It's been a long, lonely time for moderates, and now the end of civilization and commencement of great war begins. We did our best, but the bling herd in the US was fascinated with baubles and captivated by a resounding cranial echo, "More, more, more!" And so was everyone else who had a full stomach. Fermi, we have the local answer to your paradox: lessons learned are not hereditary, so every generation must step out of the cave and drop the axe. Too much work, and look, shiny!
Oh, yeah, the above is Civilization 101, fella.
It's been a long, lonely time for moderates, and now the end of civilization and commencement of great war begins. We did our best, but the bling herd in the US was fascinated with baubles and captivated by a resounding cranial echo, "More, more, more!" And so was everyone else who had a full stomach. Fermi, we have the local answer to your paradox: lessons learned are not hereditary, so every generation must step out of the cave and drop the axe. Too much work, and look, shiny!
Oh, yeah, the above is Civilization 101, fella.
