Hegemony and its Dilemmas

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Hegemony and its Dilemmas | Noam Chomsky

Hegemony and its Dilemmas | Noam Chomsky · 9

caio · 4668 days ago

One lesson is that to understand what is happening we should attend not only to critical events of the real world, often dismissed from history, but also to what leaders and elite opinion believe, however tinged with fantasy. Another lesson is that alongside the flights of fancy concocted to terrify and mobilize the public (and perhaps believed by some who are trapped in their own rhetoric), there is also geostrategic planning based on principles that are rational and stable over long periods because they are rooted in stable institutions and their concerns.

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squeebies · 4668 days ago · link ·

I really enjoy reading and/or watching Noam Chomsky's narratives on political situations. He is insightful, knowledgable and cuts through the garbage we are fed to the heart of matters with quotes and information as to the state of policy and affairs. Always depressing, full of new revelations about how evil, self serving and ultimately destructive the power players of our world are. If we have descendants they will point to this era as the dark ages of mankind.

Hubski is a classic case in point of the disconnect from the truly important issues. We are all much more interested and occupied by the many other (mostly trivial) things filling our world. I am included in 'the failings of the 99%'

May the Flying Spaghetti Monster have mercy on our souls.

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cgod · 4667 days ago · link ·

There is almost nothing I find more oppressive then people who only spend their time dealing with the "really important" issues. If hubski was just a place to watch vids of Syrian children with their jaw bone blown off I really wouldn't spend that much time here. As much as people want to make the "really important" stuff important to the common man, I'd say that about 80% of the stuff that the average "bleeding heart", "uncaptured intellectual," "Anarcho-syndicalist," "liberal," or whatever your flavor is total horseshit.

I am much happier reading a bit of everything, exploring the vastness of human achievement, rather then arrogantly trying to be meaningful and pertinent every moment. Thank god for the trivial, there would be no reason to live without it, we all need ways to while away the time. At least with the trivial to contrast, when I watch the vid of the Syrian kid with no fucking jaw I can still care.

And lastly, I'm sick and fucking tired of you heretics suggesting that the flying spaghetti monster will have have mercy on anyone's soul. If I have my way the New Reformed Church of the Flying Spaghetti monster will grid you and your kind out of existence. Have fun in hell you goddamn apostate.

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squeebies · 4667 days ago · link ·

Lol. Proudly flying spaghetti monster. Money is now the root of much evil but religion can be blamed for more than its fair share of a divided and troubled world. My bible is called, the god delusion, check it out ;-)

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b_b · 4668 days ago · link ·

Hubski is a classic case in point of the disconnect from the truly important issues. We are all much more interested and occupied by the many other (mostly trivial) things filling our world.

Please explain how interested, educated individuals talking about, sharing and debating art, philosophy, culture, politics, science and whatever other interests anyone may have is an example of a "disconnect from...important issues". These are the interesting things about life, and that which makes it worth living--the opposite of trivial. Would you prefer a world where everyone walks around like zombies repeating "kill rich people" as their personal mantra?

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squeebies · 4668 days ago · link ·

Point well taken and with good grace. I have said before and will say again Hubski is the best place I have encountered for inspired thought, interesting sharing and great dialogue. Sorry for my sometimes over zealous depression when reading some of, what I see as, the great failings of our society. I do believe we are almost at a serious juncture in our global community as to the state of our environment and our society.

If there is to be a positive future then it will be because of people of the likes that I find here (meaning Hubski)

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thenewgreen · 4668 days ago · link ·

I went to see Chomsky speak at the University of Michigan but it was sold out and all the anjoining rooms had tv screens showing his talk, they too were at capacity. I don't think that there is a lack of awareness of what the truly important issues are, I don't even think there is a dispute as to what they are. That said, what are the tulely important issues to you?

It's important that we focus on them but not to the extent that we don't celebrate our humanity and love for the arts and yes, even trivialities too. It's also important that we not focus on the trivialities to the point if blinding ourselves. Like Chomsky says, it's amazing the point to which the intellectuals of the world self deceive. I'm guilty of it too, sometimes I just want to see classic art on a diet.

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squeebies · 4668 days ago · link ·

I guess to me the real problem plainly put is the problem of money really the be all and end all of policy making. Governments more than ever increasingly support private enterprise and never legislate for the good of all. It problems extend to, at best, inaction with environmental, human rights, foreign policy, health and education reform. What depresses me is many know about it, the Problems can be stated as fact, and their is no substantial improvement. In fact the opposite is true, the problems only get worse.

If I am wrong please correct me.

I did enjoy the photoshopped classics comments. Again sorry if anyone thought my comment disparaging. I only mean to comment on the human ability to disconnect from certain issues that are overridingly important and be relaxed enough to enjoy the other things in life. I saw something about this recently, some psychological capacity to be able to function in this way. I think I'll go look for it to post.

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thenewgreen · 4667 days ago · link ·

The problem of "money" is one that is universally accepted but at the same time, little to nothing is done about. It's the one thing both right, left-- OWS and the TP agree on (in rhetoric) But the powers that be know the electorate are like moths to flame and they shine their flashlights like lures on things like "taxes" or "abortion", anything to avoid eliminating the influence of money in our polital system.

Neither party wants that.

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squeebies · 4668 days ago · link ·

I also note no one is interested in this post at all, photoshopping of the classics and the sexual desire it may or may not evoke is a much more compelling post. (I read it too, it was interesting, no put down intended to anyone, comments included :-))