Capitalism
Of all the enemies of democracy and freedom, Friedrich August von Hayek was probably the smartest. At least, he was the most influential: the structures of today’s global economy — the European Economic and Monetary Union, central banks, “balanced budget amendments” to national constitutions, and “free” trade agreements guaranteeing capital’s future profits — are essentially
Some Thoughts
If popular culture has taught us anything, it is that we will one day face a growing robot/AI menace. The enemy will be a technology so enmeshed in our daily lives that it has become invisible. Any machine could rebel, from a toaster to a Terminator. Think you are safe from your little Echo Dot?
Some Thoughts
Yes. Bringing down the patriarchy. Defenders of the work ethic point out the need for hobbies. It is a meaningful way to spend one’s free time, as opposed to mere idling. Conservatives often employ a purely moral argument for having hobbies. In the Christian tradition, idleness is associated with sin, as expressed in the saying
Some Thoughts
======================================================
Some Thoughts
You may not realize it, but you could be a temporarily embarrassed millionaire. Do you plan to someday in the future have more money? Are you concerned that your taxes are too high, because someday you might pay too much tax. Do you ride the bus only because this year you can’t afford that luxury
Some Thoughts
It has become profitable to set new and unrealistic standards, to generate a culture of comparison and inferiority. If you can tap into people’s insecurities — if you can needle at their deepest feelings of inadequacy — then they will buy just about any damn thing you tell them to.