V. Arnold
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Mother of God; Costas Lapavitsas’ video is just appalling. I mean hell, just look at the audience.
He’s spouting economics at a level that is just a guaranteed non-starter.
Financialization just isn’t that difficult to explain.
Financialization is the privatization of everything that used to be a social, government funded benefit.
Fuck all, no wonder the U.S. is a walking, talking piece of propagandized shit!!!
I like TRNN, but this is just a fail!Well Ilargi, you do a masterful job of laying it all bare, for all to see.
The powers that be picture the Glass Bead Game; they think they are Magister Ludi. But they don’t know the power of their own belief system, or it’s limitations.
This will crash as you seem to agree. It can’t be other.
IMO, the only reasonable course (individually) is to withdraw and wait. Bide ones time from a position of knowledge/reality, present!
Leaving is certainly an option and highly recommended. It gives further options…Ilargi,
You have many questions, most of which deserve consideration.
And I think understanding (as much as possible) human nature would do much towards answers.
There was a fundamental change when the War God Yahweh came on the scene. It firmed a patriarchal hierarchy, possibly for the first time. Priests garnered tremendous power and began an increasingly hierarchical aspect to the order of society. Riane Eisler’s The Chalice and the Blade is an excellent read on this.
This set the course for the future and all of the offshoots of almost all the worlds religions began competition for dominance. That requires growth. Natural greed took it from there.
Not to over simplify, but capitalism and greed were a marriage made in heaven (spelled; H.E.L.L.), and here we are.
Having been an early adopter of Edward Abbey, The Monkey Wrench Gang, and Earth First, my only concern has been sustainability. There is only one economic model that is rational; Sufficiency Economy (which means sufficiency living).Realistically and looking at the world today; I see no evidence we humans are anywhere near our intelligence tipping point of awakening to what’s actually going on…
@ Ilargi
I wonder why so many people choose to confuse self-chosen isolation with loneliness.
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Good and valid question. Alone, but not lonely.
Being lonely has nothing to do with isolation; it’s an internal disconnection from the ability to feel or maybe “need” to be “included”. The (what is now a cliche’) one who feels lonely surrounded by people.
We sell our real freedom so cheaply simply because we cannot recognize it for what it is, and its true value has never been taught or learned.
And yes, the ability for self-chosen isolation is gold…Hmm…
Most of my most memorable (joyful) moments have been in solitude. My rotten social skills not withstanding, I find forced social situations pure torture.
Retirement for me has been freedom from the social, except by my own choosing or my wife’s necessity.
Ever the contrarian, I didn’t find much of interest in Monbiot’s pov, excepting a critique of a declining western world’s social structures.
Unfortunately it also is resulting in the wanton destruction of the planetary environment.
We act a self loathing species with a healthy dose of arrogance.The climate denial sickos remind me of “Planet of the Apes”, when Heston sees the head of the Statue of Liberty sticking up out of the sand, he screams; “You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!”
Yep, we’re really, really doing it…Ilargi, you’ve hit all the points clearly.
Having strongly and constantly held “we” to full account for the government/world we’re now inheriting, I was particularly happy to see you address the “we factor”.
And here we are; powerless.
Some can take action, but I see that on an individual basis, not en masse. For a while yet we still have our personal freedoms (travel); but they’re fast being taken away.
The denial among us humans is strong, especially in the U.S., IMO. That combined with a perverse form of corruption; it’s unlikely, IMO, we’ll ever get our lives back.@ John Day
Remember VHS?Mercy yes. And mercifully DVD’s followed. How about 8-track? 78’s, 45’s, and 33’s? 😉
Congrats of your children’s success.@ John Day
“The great nothing”; good reference to The Neverending Story”, a good kid’s movie.
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Glad you could reference that, says a lot. 😉
Ever the contrarian: My kid never died. I would say, a good story about not giving up. It’s a movie I try to watch every year or three or four.
Cheers.Ilargi, just how much of this shit do you actually believe?
Me? I just need to step back a bit and watch the insanity to know they’re all nuts!
Captured in their own game.
Healthy humans don’t live like this and given real choices will choose the best options.
God’s be good, get out. And get out as soon as possible or you’ll be consumed by the nothing; because that’s what’s coming; the great nothing.@ Raleigh
We are the Earth’s virus.While dramatic, I think you have it exactly backwards.
Gaia, the living organism called earth, will destroy us. We cannot possibly destroy the earth. We’re just not that omnipotent.
Without us humans, or at least a dramatically reduced population, the earth (Gaia) will do just fine.
Gaia will always seek an equilibrium and adjust accordingly.
Regardless the ravages of climate change (an extremely human centric event), Gaia will find a way back to stasis that will have nothing to do with “us”.
The spice must flow, so-to-speak… 😉Oh come on. There is no way this will end well.
Kunstler and his ilk aside, this won’t be an attack that instantly wipes everything to shit.
It’s a painfully long slog to, what?
The fact is nobody knows, but by paying careful attention to the here and now, one may just get the drift, the direction, and adapt to the indicated direction.
Our ability at adaptation is one of our strong points (always has been).
It would seem logical to not be too densely packed together.
It may usher in a whole new definition of freedom, no?There is now a second confirmed case directly from Duncan in Texas. One in Massachusetts as well.
The operational word is exponential, one cannot understand the potential without understanding Ebola spreads exponentially.
We (humans) will surely find a way to muck this up. So far we’re doing a fair job of it…
I can hardly wait to hear of the first case in S.E. Asia. We have a large African population here in LOS.@ Raleigh
Yes, Vietnam is beautiful, but I’m not in Vietnam. In April of 2003 I was offered a job with an American toy company in a rural area of Thailand, close to the Myanmar border.
I came alone. I wasn’t married at the time. No, I did not renounce my citizenship, a U.S. passport is still more of a benefit than a liability (M.E. excepted). I cannot imagine a reason to ever return to the U.S.
The political situation here is unstable, but that’s been the norm for the last 82 years.
Anything is preferable to living in a country that kills and tortures with impunity anywhere it deems necessary. Its thuggery has replaced any semblance of diplomacy. Moral bankruptcy is an ugly thing to behold.
Internal politics aside, Thailand, outside the large cities and tourist areas, is quite lovely and rich in culture and the cost of living is remarkably low. The language is difficult but learn-able with some effort.
CheersThe whole world (well almost) is sucked into an epic Ponzi scheme. And it’s going down in an epic manner.
Russia and China will escape the worst because they see it and will take measures to minimize the effects.
The rest? I don’t know, but surely there will be a gnashing of teeth and a rattling of saber’s.
Possibly some nukes, but maybe not too many. That’s unlikely (not too many), but one can always hope, no?
I think we’re the too crowded rat experiment where we eat our young…@ Raleigh
That quote ought to read: “Find out just what any people will take to keep quiet and you have the exact measure of what they will receive.”When it all goes away, let’s see if the people continue to quietly submit.
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Your “re-quote” still says the same thing that Douglass said so much better; don’t fuck with true greatness.As to what it will take to wake up the U.S.? I dunno, I gave up after 57 years of bullshit and compliance I just could not bear (Vietnam excepted). That coupled with advancing old age helped me make the break.
You remain hopeful and optimistic if it helps you get by; I have higher expectations for my life and refuse to be tied to any government. Given all governments are crap/corrupt, why oh why would anybody give them purchase over their lives?
Nationalism is folly of the highest order.
Think deep, long, serious, and with a very broad brush; the world is not what you believe.US Shale And The Slippery Slopes Of The Law
The U.S. is long past being a nation of laws, which used to be one of the positive things that separated us from most of the rest of the world.
Reagan began it, Clinton built on it, and Bush 43 cemented it on 09-11-2001.
The law is now anything the government says it is. And the SCOTUS is in lockstep with all of it; any questions? Not hardly…
None so blind/compliant as those who are afraid…“Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them.” Frederick Douglass
Thanks, in large part to the U.S., the world has become a fools game. Those who realize this also know there is no second coming, no Klatu (The Day the Earth Stood Still) come to save us.
There is a freeing aspect to that, which somewhat offsets the tremendous responsibility which it entails.I like this Frederick Douglass quote:
“Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them.”OMFG! Ilargi you have just made my brain explode. Info overload to the maximum.
I can’t possibly be more hermetic without totally isolating from everything. Gold seems a safe, though limited refuge, for a reserve stash in case of a total collapse of currencies.
Being of peasant status, my ability to buy gold is much limited; maybe a few ounces.
Also, being in a kingdom may afford some relief; as the government can act within certain limitations to protect its citizens.
In any event; the ship is going down…@ K-Dog
Not a troll among us.
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This is one of the most troll free blogs I know of. How’s Kunstler?
His is one of the worst, IME.And just why does Kunstler have any traction? I’ve never understood that. He’s a zionist and a weak sister on gay’s and gay rights. He pretends other. Disclosure; I’m not gay, but an ardent supporter.
A world made by hand? Oh please. Romantic fantasy geared to selling books to the hopelessly naive and frankly, stupid. The world Kunstler describes will be far darker than he imagines, IMO.
I’d sooner listen to the Junior Woodchucks; Hewy, Dewy, and Lewy.@ kibbinayye
Will make a very short list of countries. Canada, eh?Canada was good during the Vietnam war, but things have changed a lot. IMO, not a good choice.
I’m in S.E. Asia, which values its independence somewhat. While friendly to the U.S. they maintain a healthy distance, mostly. South America has some interesting choices which if my circumstances were different I would seriously consider. Spain and Portugal offer interesting possibilities but I personally don’t trust the European politic or economy. If one is mobile then it doesn’t matter so much, because if you don’t like a place pack up and move. I will no longer consider flying as mode of transport (I absolutely detest flying), so rail and sea are my two options.
Good luck and don’t wait too long…@ Raleigh
Perhaps Ms. Warren was a recipient of some of this money? This is what needs to stop, the buying of policy. So Israel is given this foreign aid, then turns around and funnels it back into the U.S. political system? Nice circle.
I would put it differently; if she and the rest weren’t corrupt in the first place the money wouldn’t work.
I’m sure they all justify their graft with platitudes such as; “…how else can I get into office where I can do the greatest good?”
The system is systemically broken and corrupt. That’s why voting is a joke.
The sleeper is not wakened…@ kibbinayye
You say to collect “belongings outside the reach of the ‘system’ … And watch the sky.”
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Well, you can start by relocating. And then collect all the cash you can. I recommend keeping the cash close (no banks, no records).
Keep a very low profile in all aspects. Live modestly even if you can “afford” more.
That’s as much as I’m willing to say; you think about it and figure the rest out for yourself.@ Raleigh
I like some of what Elizabeth Warren has to say…
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Are you aware Warren supported Israel’s attack on Gaza?
That was enough for me to cross her off as viable.
There are no choices for 2016 independent of the machine.
Do not vote in 2016!“The EU is a dead experiment, a Frankenstein and Mr. Hyde all in one. But no-one wants to see it, and no-one has a clue.” Ilargi
As an American who left, I find it likewise remarkable the vast scope of denial in the states.
The media is excitedly talking Hillary 2016, Bernie Sanders 2016, and wild speculation about Warren.
As though the 2016 elections will actually change anything. Americans are living in a lala land of fantasy and dreams.
Those firmly rooted in the here and now are either the very wealthy, or people who never bowed to the fear and lies that have been and are now America today. Both are minority factions, with the truly wealthy possessing power to rule and manipulate the planet. The other minority, the un-cowed, have the power of choice in at least their own lives. In this sense knowledge is power.@ October 3, 2014 at 3:00 am
TheTrivium4TWThat was a deep dive, one that exceeded my oxygen capacity. Mighten it be better to do a few shallow dives as an alternative?
Charts, lots of charts, graphs, and statistics.
But here on the street nothing really changes.
For us poor schmucks, nothing really changes. Another day older and deeper in debt? Yes, for some. For the rest; a never changing future of lies and bullshit.
And no future worth pondering…@ Raul
“The US is now checking on 80 people in the Dallas area alone whom the carrier has been in touch with. And that’s just the people they know of. The number could be 180, depending on what he’s done, did he go shopping, shake hands etc.”Exponential spread is the by word. Exponential is an interesting word and it’s meaning is potentially catastrophic for the U.S. Particularly because of it’s complacency regarding medicine and medical acumen. Exponential is one’s worst enemy when it comes to infectious disease. Europe’s black plague and the influenza of 1918 are perfect examples.
I do not trust the MSM who have already failed in this, oh so short, period of time
The human factor is already operational with lying, misinformation and hubris.
The impossible may well be about to be possible; things move fast these days, no?
Public beware and self educate; panic is not warranted; just conscious action.Our hubris makes us dangerous. This patient was also checked at another hospital and sent home. This after telling them he had just come from Liberia.
I’ve read that Ebola is not a danger to the U.S. because of our advanced medicine and abilities; forgotten in all this is it’s run by humans…@ Jef & Diogenes + TheTrivium4TW
Thanks all, great responses.
Jef: This particularly hit me between the eyes;
“What makes this even more insidious is that those who manipulated us into this situation have linked nearly every aspect of our economy to this scam so that to end it means the collapse of life as we know it. And I don’t mean back to gardening and made by hand localization BS. I mean dirty, nasty, ugly, collapse.”World Made by Hand; romantic bullshit, IMO.
As an old guy, I hope I have a few more years before shit-hits-fan.
Cheers(?) 😉Well, this thread by Raul was well above my pay grade, so-to-speak.
Being an expat, the strengthening dollar has meant a raise in my monthly income due to increasingly favorable exchange rates (for me).
Unfortunately the rest (above) is somewhat lost on me. Maybe it’s just as well. I do not see how it affects everyday life for the average American. I couldn’t care less how the wealthy fare…What disturbs me most is this; it was reported there was Zero/0 chance of transmition on the flight. Hmm, me thinks there is already damage control, aka, manipulation of news.
@ Raleigh
“Of course they have a clue.”Yep, agree.
Time to get off the merry-go-round. End nostalgia, it’s a lie, Maya.
Everything you’ve been taught is wrong. Everything you’ve been told is wrong. And finally, everything you believe is wrong.I find the conversation interesting only in lieu of the obvious engagement by so many who do not understand the game. It’s rigged, fixed, crooked, and corrupt.
My younger sister just returned to the states after working abroad for a year (teaching English). She was fortunate and found decent employment. It’s a school district so it’s only 8 months full time; summers off, no pay.
At 65 in Nov., she’s looking for investment opportunities; financial planners, brokers, etc.
And this is my point; what chance has she in the markets (or whatever one calls them)?
Zip, zero, zilch, IMO.
I have advised her (strongly) to join a credit union and open a CD (if they still exist). I have advised her to stay away from all banks and the financial charlatans.
There is nothing out there for “us”, except possibly credit unions.
That this isn’t evident, much less obvious, just boggles the mind…mine…@ TheTrivium4TW
So why doesn’t TAE explain WHO creates the money out of debt and WHAT their agenda is via the writings of their historians like Carroll Quigley and their Technocrats like Zbigniew Brzezinski?
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But, but, isn’t that exactly what TAE does?
I know it’s complicated (well above my pay grade), but I know the questions (important) that I have had and found adequate answers within the very dense subject of political socio-economics.
It’s about power. In a sense that’s all one needs to know. And an accurate view of the now should suffice for a picture of today’s realities, and further, ones position within that construct.
Cheers@ NooBoob
Civilization is slowly collapsing while the earth is quickly dying.
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Nah, we can’t do that. It’s often said “we’re” destroying the earth.
Nope, can’t do that either.
But, we sure can and are changing it. We are making it toxic for one heck of a lot of the present species, which includes humans.
But the earth? It’ll survive us and naturally go the way of planets. Remember, what’s going on now is as natural as rain…
But, that also doesn’t mean some of us aren’t mad as hell…Money can not stop climate change. And yes; capitalism is the problem. Unregulated, irresponsible, western style capitalism. Easy, yes; too easy? That depends.
Human nature is the real problem, IMO. I’m tempted to blame western humans, but that wouldn’t be wholly fair. Native cultures did their share back in the day, but lacked the technology that gives us westerners the leap ahead on destructive power. Give us power, any kind of power and we’ll use it until we abuse it; guaranteed! It’s our nature. It’s not learned and I don’t believe it’s cultural; primordial is far more likely.
Can you tell? I’m not optimistic. We won’t act until our house burns down and then we’ll find somebody else to blame.To be is to do,
To do is to be,
Dobe, dobe, dobe, dobe…On the walls of the men’s room in a biker bar in Portland, Or. circa 1970’s
It’s usually the wackos talking about gold. Peter schiff, on RT;
https://rt.com/shows/sophieco/190800-economy-dollar-financial-armageddon/
said that Switzerland was backing it’s franc with gold. I have read (here[?]) China and Russia are as well. Hmm…
He went on to say that fiat currencies were ultimately doomed and only countries that backed their currencies with gold would enjoy relevancy in the international markets. At least, that’s what I heard. He’s backing the gold standard; going back to it, at least to some degree.
He also said most of the global economists were way more stupid than he ever would have thought.
I’m a fair hand at personal finances, but that’s at a micro level (sub-atomic) not the macro level (Newtonian). 😉Who is Peter Schiff? Is he a wacko? He sounded pretty knowledgeable.
He owns a bank in the Caribbean apparently.
