Automatic Earth in Athens November 2020

[Raúl Ilargi Meijer]

Georgia O’Keeffe Red poppy No. VI 1928     High time for another update about our support for what is now called the “Self-managed Social Ki
[See the full post at: Automatic Earth in Athens November 2020]

[Geppetto]

Raul,

As @Madamski noted we have a severe homeless problem stateside. It’s spreading from the metro areas at a good clip. I had to deal with the results of a homeless gathering behind the shop this morn. They made a big mess and walked away. I was mad but more concerned about the cause. It’s a symptom let’s be honest.

You allude to most of the ones there being victims of circumstance. Problem that I see is that if they can not get back on their feet quickly then it becomes a slow slide into disrespect for organized society, laziness and ultimately schizophrenia. I could be wrong but I have tried to help what I call the “campers” for years now and they just keep sliding.

There is something in human nature that is robust and durable. I’m concerned that because we feel empathy and love we nurture weakness instead of nurturing to strength. I don’t know?

Filothei is beautiful. I feel in love almost immediately. Make sure the kitchen gets my donation.

Hahaha! 😊

Peace

[straightwalker]

Thanks for this post. In the last few years have had many good moments at Monastiraki. First time in Greece, I came up to street level from the Athens metro and realized that my wallet was gone. I saw the Parthenon and said to Pam: Look at that! Wow! Ground zero for western civilization. This is a great day!! What is three hundred evros? It is someone else’s celebration.

Filothei reminds me of Dmitra on Amorgos. Greek women! I’m learning to paint. Can’t wait to return. Sorry for such a small donation.
straightwalker

[Dr. D]

Stateside all I have is work because everything is broken. But with the work comes food at least.

Of course they do everything anyone can think of to prevent employment, but finding a line and showing up is about all it takes because nobody can do even that. Legally or illegally, and thanks to government, probably illegally, under the table. Legally they would stop you from showing up, stop you from working if you did, and make sure you didn’t get paid enough to survive. Illegally, well, at least there’s work no one will admit to, and at least it’s cash. I hear Greece knows a lot about that, and Italy too, which is what they’re trying to kill right now: poor people. Free will. Hard work.

But you notice a lot of ignorant, lazy, poor, entitled, obedient apparatchiks does not make a successful society, much less culture. So human effort escapes into the black market, and all money hides. For 1,000 years if necessary.

What I see being built is the social connections that will pay later on whether things get better or worse. But when you outlaw all work, people get poor: who knew? It kills thousands. It pushes all poor wealth exclusively to the rich and their minions, such as participating police. Who knew?

Ready to stop playing along with these rapacious vikings and go work and eat again? I have been for 30 years but I could use a little help.

[Geppetto]

@Dr. D

“Ready to stop playing along with these rapacious vikings and go work and eat again? I have been for 30 years but I could use a little help.”

I’ve been working since a child. Chores were a required contribution to the household. First real job at 14 as soon as I could get a work permit. Picking corporate farmed strawberries. Thankless work. I had(and have!) much respect for my fellow farmworkers. They did what they had to do …..to eat. I learned early on that if my work actually added value then I did not contribute as much to the entropic process. At least the entropy that tended to increase at my immediate ‘locale’. Same as you, I’m having trouble getting the work that is available to my little band of laborers done. Saying no to work is hard for me and something I do not do lightly. But we can only do what we can do, so filtering has become almost a luxury. Best year in 15 years…so far.

I’ve been rattling the rapacious vikings for 50 years. @D Benton Smith could probably point me to the many *lists* I….and prob many of the peeps on AE as well are already on.

So….. I’m down big bro Dr. D.! I have always been on your team.

[sumac.carol]

Victims of circumstance -for sure. The talk about need for jobs and job availability – remember this lack of jobs for working class people in the west was brought about by trade agreements and policies off-shoring jobs to places with no government standards for workers or the environment. A get rich quick scheme for hard-working Richie Rich folks. If only we had no government standards in the West, then we could all have “jobs” and work in slave-like conditions making plastic toys. And then we can sit back and wonder why people lose respect for society.

[Geppetto]

@sumac.carol

At the risk of being accused of victim shaming(again) you brief synopsis of what is really going on is right and it is wrong at the same time. How can that be? Well in my view because; it too simple, too black and white and it makes somebody else’s *circumstance* mine. Lacks nuance. I can confirm and refute every point you made, because I have been on one side or the other of every point you made…….in some cases both sides at different times. I hear you. I could tell you a hundred stories but I won’t bore you.

I wish you the best of luck Carol. Truly. I know I’m going to need it too. I hold hope that I will recognize it when it presents….and you will too. Open heart sorta stuff ..you know? Peace.

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