This documentary provides comprehensive and insightful commentary about the Greek economic crisis and the related unrest in Greece. It presents a great history of European economics and examines the economic relationships which have developed around the world in the last few decades. It also provides a critical look at the EU, the IMF, and American banking and economic practices.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Philosophical Ramblings About Freedom, Chaos & Predetermination
For those who know me personally... it's no secret that I dwell in the mundane almost as much as I dwell in the realms of radical politics and other esoteric/technical ideas. In large part, I find this to be a basic necessity if one wants to socialize at all in society.
To the extent that people want to personally discuss more profound subjects, I find this to be difficult for (at least) a couple of different reasons. First of all, a lot of us are often incapable of having a true conversation because we approach such encounters with an agenda -- even if just subconsciously. We often tend to steer conversations back toward certain topics (and ways of viewing things) which we are comfortable with. Along those lines... it's very hard to stay on the same page when facts and ideas are misheard, misunderstood, misinterpreted, imagined, or falsified. For these reasons, I like to participate in written forums where ideas can be presented in their entirety and statements can be quoted directly and accurately -- while supporting sources of information can be provided as linked. Secondly... I don't generally trust people all too much. I won't get into all the reasons again, but suffice it to say that some people are overtly manipulative and often seek information they can use for their own potentially malicious interests. Between these two realities, as I said, I find it difficult to discuss many ideas with people in casual conversations.
That said... with intelligent companions, a bottle of rum, and a pack of smokes... some interesting ideas can be fleshed out and articulated. I'm not too proud, or ashamed, to say that's what partially inspired this article. And so... I will try now to lay out some ideas from last night's conversations.
To the extent that people want to personally discuss more profound subjects, I find this to be difficult for (at least) a couple of different reasons. First of all, a lot of us are often incapable of having a true conversation because we approach such encounters with an agenda -- even if just subconsciously. We often tend to steer conversations back toward certain topics (and ways of viewing things) which we are comfortable with. Along those lines... it's very hard to stay on the same page when facts and ideas are misheard, misunderstood, misinterpreted, imagined, or falsified. For these reasons, I like to participate in written forums where ideas can be presented in their entirety and statements can be quoted directly and accurately -- while supporting sources of information can be provided as linked. Secondly... I don't generally trust people all too much. I won't get into all the reasons again, but suffice it to say that some people are overtly manipulative and often seek information they can use for their own potentially malicious interests. Between these two realities, as I said, I find it difficult to discuss many ideas with people in casual conversations.
That said... with intelligent companions, a bottle of rum, and a pack of smokes... some interesting ideas can be fleshed out and articulated. I'm not too proud, or ashamed, to say that's what partially inspired this article. And so... I will try now to lay out some ideas from last night's conversations.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Orwellian Surveillance, Spies & Infiltration
In George Orwell's world of 1984... were a billion people suffering from the effects of malnutrition? Was a full seventh of that fictional population hungry? Obviously things were rough in that fictitious world, but was it really that bad? Was it hard for billions of people to find potable water to drink? Were the oceans surrounding Oceania full of plastic? Was the primary fuel source of Eurasia leading to a negative feedback loop in the climate (which consequently might raise the planet's temperature by several degrees within the next century)?
I recall in the book that the proles were rationed low quality cigarettes along with imitation chocolate, and I know they were spoon-fed manufactured pop culture to keep them content... but did they really have it that bad? I mean... compared to the reality of our world today -- in the U.S.A. and beyond.
I recall in the book that the proles were rationed low quality cigarettes along with imitation chocolate, and I know they were spoon-fed manufactured pop culture to keep them content... but did they really have it that bad? I mean... compared to the reality of our world today -- in the U.S.A. and beyond.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Understanding Anarcho-Primitivism
NEWSFLASH: Anarcho-primitivists, rather than seeking to destroy everything, are trying to curtail the anthropocene mass extinction furthered by the techno-industrial civilization which continues it's destructive plunder at this very moment.
A primary problem with anarcho-primitivism is that it is both maligned in ignorance and promoted with ideals of zealous purity. As the years have went by, and after constantly having the primitivist critique at my disposal (at least in the back of my mind), it is clear to me that it is often misunderstood by both critics and proponents alike. And, after garnering some much deserved attention around the turn of the century, I worry now that the philosophy may be getting lost amidst the growing struggle to meet basic immediate needs and the growing number of distractions in a culture of banalities and spectacle.
In an effort to convey the particulars and subtleties of primitivism, pedantic definitions will (perhaps ironically) be necessary. For those versed in the terminology and who understand the basic concepts of the philosophical positions promoted by primitivism... these definitions may seem over-wrought and excessive. However, part of the problem with anarcho-primtivism is (as with many philosophical schools of thought) that each thinker writing on the subject will have their own particular idiosyncratic nuances in regard to the meaning of particular words and phrases. When dealing with a subject that partly criticizes the development and implementation of basic language... the task of clarifying these subjects and terms becomes even more tedious. Nevertheless, intellectual honesty and a need for thoroughness requires effort on the part of any who would seriously like to ponder complex and intricate subjects. Efforts will be taken in that regard as this article proceeds.
A primary problem with anarcho-primitivism is that it is both maligned in ignorance and promoted with ideals of zealous purity. As the years have went by, and after constantly having the primitivist critique at my disposal (at least in the back of my mind), it is clear to me that it is often misunderstood by both critics and proponents alike. And, after garnering some much deserved attention around the turn of the century, I worry now that the philosophy may be getting lost amidst the growing struggle to meet basic immediate needs and the growing number of distractions in a culture of banalities and spectacle.
In an effort to convey the particulars and subtleties of primitivism, pedantic definitions will (perhaps ironically) be necessary. For those versed in the terminology and who understand the basic concepts of the philosophical positions promoted by primitivism... these definitions may seem over-wrought and excessive. However, part of the problem with anarcho-primtivism is (as with many philosophical schools of thought) that each thinker writing on the subject will have their own particular idiosyncratic nuances in regard to the meaning of particular words and phrases. When dealing with a subject that partly criticizes the development and implementation of basic language... the task of clarifying these subjects and terms becomes even more tedious. Nevertheless, intellectual honesty and a need for thoroughness requires effort on the part of any who would seriously like to ponder complex and intricate subjects. Efforts will be taken in that regard as this article proceeds.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Wikileaks, Julian Assange, and the Middle Eastern Uprisings
In an article I wrote last December, before the uprisings began in the Mid-East, I speculated that the revelations of the diplomatic cables (released by Wikileaks) might spur uprisings in that region. I know of no one else who was publicly speculating along those lines at the time.
Since then, the Middle-Eastern uprisings have come to pass and continue to sweep through the region... and Julian Assange himself, along with Amnesty International, has credited the Cablegate leaks with spurring the revolts in Tunisia, Egypt, and beyond. So... please forgive me if I once again draw attention to my earlier speculation (now that its prescience has been proven and its subject has been accepted as a factor, in hindsight, by reputable parties). I am not a paid analyst. No publication has offered me any sort of a contract or given me any pay -- I don't even receive uncompensated editorial offers. And, so, please forgive me if I sometimes feel a bit obliged to draw attention to my own marginal writings. I don't pretend that everything comes to pass just as I call it, but I'm pretty close sometimes -- and I think my analysis is at least as worthy as anything you might get from the talking heads on cable news.
Anyway... below is a video in which Julian Assange credits Wikileaks for playing a major role in the Middle Eastern uprisings and, below that, you will also see another interesting interview with Assange. Wikileaks continues to be of profound importance, with repercussions yet to revealed. I think both of the following videos are quite important if you really wish to understand the machinations of current geo-political events.
Since then, the Middle-Eastern uprisings have come to pass and continue to sweep through the region... and Julian Assange himself, along with Amnesty International, has credited the Cablegate leaks with spurring the revolts in Tunisia, Egypt, and beyond. So... please forgive me if I once again draw attention to my earlier speculation (now that its prescience has been proven and its subject has been accepted as a factor, in hindsight, by reputable parties). I am not a paid analyst. No publication has offered me any sort of a contract or given me any pay -- I don't even receive uncompensated editorial offers. And, so, please forgive me if I sometimes feel a bit obliged to draw attention to my own marginal writings. I don't pretend that everything comes to pass just as I call it, but I'm pretty close sometimes -- and I think my analysis is at least as worthy as anything you might get from the talking heads on cable news.
Anyway... below is a video in which Julian Assange credits Wikileaks for playing a major role in the Middle Eastern uprisings and, below that, you will also see another interesting interview with Assange. Wikileaks continues to be of profound importance, with repercussions yet to revealed. I think both of the following videos are quite important if you really wish to understand the machinations of current geo-political events.
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