Yeah. I honestly don’t trust people that much. I’ve found that if something needs to get done, nobody else will do it, or do it right, so I might as well do it myself.
I really should read more. Im only on the second book of Epictetus’ Discourses, and I’ve had that book since like september. Its not that im slow at reading, I just haven’t read it much. I enjoy reading though.
I think I have to download that image. It is great, really.
I really should read more
This is probably the most valuable thing to take from this thread.
Speaking of reading, I just listened to “Existentialism is a Humanism” by Satre. It was very interesting and now has me ready to dive into more of his stuff
I read the book at some point. Still have it on my shelf. Another great thinker and not so great a writer.
Hence why I listened! A while ago I found a pdf of “Being and Nothing”, opened it, and just put it down
And perhaps Marcus Aurelius for some equanimity.
The most upsetting thing about reading him is he reveals everything we COULD be, haha. It’s why I claim misanthropy. It’s our failure to live up to our potential that gets me. It’s why Nietszche warned of the ubermensch. The ship had sailed on us as a species.
I started writing something a while ago with the premise that humans are generally just cockroaches willing to stab each other without remorse - I called it “Be a Better Bug.”
I appreciate how this is a combination of Metamorphosis AND The Trial.
Then you won’t learn how and why certain governments were formed and not create the same mistakes and you will not learn how certain aspects of government operates
Learn history
Once you understand that there is not single monolithic being named history, but that history is narratives and perspectives based on interpretations of things that have been, the value of having these narratives as grounded as possible makes sense.
History can be used also as a weapon. It ties so closely to our identity and how we see the world.
Money and power won’t even work.
Once you understand that the puppet masters allowed you that money and power, it’s too late.
You are now just a puppet with money and power expected to use that money and power the way the puppet masters demand.
The mob is the same way.
I would like to remind you that there are three sides to a story - theirs, ours, and the truth. It is up to you to think critically and figure out what the truth is to you.
Just realize, your truth may change with time and experience.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” - George Santayana
On a semi-political note, this is one of the reasons criticizing people who criticize America’s past as being un-American misses the point. A nation’s history isn’t a resume, only highlighting successes.
Sports teams don’t watch their game tapes to high-five over the best parts.
One way to look at it is that truth doesn’t necessarily hold so high importance in politics as people assume it does.
In scientific/philosophical debate you try to discover truth, there you need to have agreed and stable terminology and you need to look for your premises to have a meaningful conversation which progresses from point A to point B (or C and so on…)
In political debates it’s often more about winning an argument than having some progress in understanding truth. Premises are locked and not often looked in to. Terms are purposefully vague/always changing, which makes progressive discussion very difficult.
We need term limits, for one thing, and to break the two-party hold for another. 80% of Americans generally agree on 80% of the issues, but the two parties don’t govern for the 80% of us who agree. They want to keep the 10% on either side stirred up.
Yet most countries use it in a such way, for obvious reasons.
Russia is pretty hardcore example of this, rewriting their whole history for “home audience”. It’s quite scary when you think of it.
Exactley
I’ve thought the Threshold-Escalating Incumbency model would be a positive move.
Basically, for every consecutive re-election bid the amount of votes you would require to win would be increased by a fixed amount, say 2-5%.
That would go a long way to stop politicians riling up the base to get votes, and actually having to improve things for all your constituents.
It would also act as a soft term limit by default.
Agreed. I also think the supreme court should not be a lifetime appointment and you shouldn’t be able to run for office after the age of 65.