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plural"Those who claim that information is power, Are either naive or scurrilous.
Power is power and information is particularly useful to those already in power"
had a most interesting discussion today on politics and the like during one of my classes
I have been thinking lately about political realities
the subject of statecraft versus the biological consciousness of humanity
The topic of discussion was governance, its failings and more to the point
how to establish a more perfect union
that is what our forefathers sought and in its essence the fabric of the American dream
democracy is a failing institution, failing here as it did in Athens
denigrating into mob rule because people at their core are unable and unwilling to rule themselves
our founding father understood this which is why they set up a republic not a democracy
the fathers of our country recognized the essential truth that people live and act based on fear
Machiavelli wrote "If one must choose between being loved and being feared, it is better to be feared"
but that in itself is not enough fear motivates people but necessity drives them
to wield power one must strike at that inherent necessity
therein lie the power of the demagogue the ability to turn self-righteous indignation into fervor
and align himself with the people's necessity
so how do we govern?
when man is fallible and that weakness is inherent in all our institutions
The weakness in man is constructed of necessity
necessity
We all do whatever seems most necessary to us at any particular moment
You might argue with me, but it would just waste both of our time
look around you, look in the mirror even if by some chance you avoid this trap
[although I would wager that you forgot that the nile is not just a river in Egypt]
you see it a million times every day
someone making a bad decision not out of ignorance or a misunderstanding of the consequences
but out of need, greed, or lust
people make purchases with credit cards going into debt for things they do not actually need
but things they perceive to need
people stay in miserable relationships out of a perceived need for companionship
ignoring the obvious and hurtful reality that they should move on
I will correct myself
It is not necessity which drives us but the perception of necessity
not whatever we truly need at that particular moment but what we perceive our need to be
and if all human action is derived from the perception of necessity as opposed to actual necessity
then we are all as a whole living in denial, deluding each other and ourselves
This delusion of perception is caused or subdivided into three distorters
Stupidity
Greed
Lust
These are the things which cloud our perception of reality,
of our true necessity, and bind us to the perception of necessity
These attributes also share one common trait they are limitless in their capacity
Einstein once wrote "The difference between stupidity and genius, is that even genius has it's limits"
A state ruled by Stupidity, Greed and Lust is corrupt to the core
the people blame their rulers, claim they have been betrayed by the interests of the wealthy
they have indeed been betrayed but they were not betrayed by the wealthy but by themselves
The wealthy are no different than the masses they have the same biological needs
they are driven by the same necessities often even deluded by the same three factors
the only difference between the wealthy and the masses lies in capability
the wealthy, either directly or indirectly through inheritance
have shown a greater capacity to pursue their needs
so we are back to the original question
how do we govern?
what form can that more perfect union take?
Democracy has failed
Communism has failed
both are more similar than we have been lead to believe
and both have failed for the same reason
they rely upon the inherent goodness of man to succeed
there is no greater hallmark of man than his failure to live up to even the slightest of that standard
Is tyranny the answer?
ruthless yet benevolent oppression of the people?
for their own good so to speak?
one could argue that perhaps
Plato's concept of a meritocracy was dramatically authoritarian in nature
the problem therein is that people want freedom
no let me alter that slightly
people insist upon the perception of freedom
9/11, Columbine these two events show how quickly we are willing to give up our freedoms
for security and for stability
stability
that is the key word
that is what people want
what people find most necessary
unfortunately it is also a pipe dream
stability, safety and permanence are unattainable
the laws of entropy will not allow it
either something is growing or it is decaying
this land we live in like the roman empire before it is decaying
We are the new romans and Caesar has already been assassinated
the decline has begun, we slide from stability to chaos
our institutions are corrupt, our people fat and weak
the carrion birds circle openly listening to our hoarse breaths
waiting for that familiar rattle of the lungs before death
New institutions must be formed, simple reforms are not enough
renovating the building is not enough when the foundation is rotten
it all must be torn out and built anew
so we go back to stability
stability is the primary need of the people
therefore it must be the primary focus of the government
unfortunately true stability is unattainable
therefore the most a more perfect union could hope to attain
is the appearance of stability
if we accept this, then we must admit ourselves to be unwilling to accept a basic law of reality
and therefore require that our government deceive us so that we can live with perceived safety and stability
deception receives far worse a reputation than it deserves
after all we deceive ourselves everyday, we demand that others deceive us as well
to twist an old turn of phrase
what is good for the goose, is good for the gander
even those few of you who are following me thus far are probably having a hard time swallowing my words
this is an essential problem as the masses who will never waver from their flawed perceptions
will have an even harder time accepting this
therefore a more perfect union must be founded upon deception
not to betray the people but to prevent them from betraying themselves
A more perfect union must be able to present the appearance of stability and safety
while remaining flexible and expansive to prevent the onset of entropy
and most importantly must be able to maintain the deception
what deception? what exactly do I mean by this?
It is quite simple really, to understand where we must deceive
we must understand what the people want from government
These are
Freedom
Stability
Power
In America we use a complex system of checks and balances
to ensure that the power and freedom remain in the hands of the people
but this system has failed us, because it is flawed in its conception
checks and balances do prevent to a limited degree an abuse of power
but more importantly they utterly prevent the exercise of power
it mires us in mediocrity unable to achieve either great good or great evil
Let me address each of the peoples desires
Freedom - for all the claims to desiring freedom, it is not what the people want
what the people want is to be unhindered in the pursuit of the dreams
which their stupidity, lust and greed convince them are most necessary
most telling is how easily we are willing to give up our freedoms
for stability and for security
In world war two we interned Japanese
In the cold war we threw our constitution out the window to root out communism
all in the name of safety, security and stability
Stability - as we have already discussed is an impossibility, the laws of nature do not permit it
Power - this is really the crux, people want nothing more than to feel powerful
they want to feel like they control their lives and their destinies
unfortunately people are not fit to control either
people attempt to hoard power, to collect it
power is fleeting
it cannot be stockpiled, hoarded, collected for some rainy day
power is in its nature a force of chaos not order
it will not be ridden around like some showcase pony at the county fair
power can only be wielded and it allows no margin for error
power can be used correctly, efficiently, even for good
the masses have shown time and time again
throughout history that they are incapable and unwilling to wield power,
to control themselves and therefore inescapably unable to govern themselves
when a man can not be trusted to govern himself in the most minute matters of daily life
he cannot be trusted to guard other peoples interests either
only those with exception self-discipline come anywhere close to this mark
and the masses lack nothing more than self-discipline
therefore the masses are unfit to rule themselves
How do we establish a more perfect union
where governance is provided for the best interest of the people
by those capable and possessing the will and self-discipline to look beyond their immediate self interests
yet still provide the illusion to the people of empowerment, freedom and stability
To that we must look to the essence of the state
The state is divided into three essential realms
political
economic
social
when a man or group of men control these realms openly
we call it tyranny and no matter how benevolent
the people will always balk at tyranny
this is where deception must be utilized
a man or group of men must be raised in each sphere
each acting supreme within his sphere seemingly unconnected and unaccountable
each sphere must govern itself securely with no thought to the other
this will provide the appearance of checks and balances
but three groups controlling the three spheres is not enough
there must be a fourth group to coordinate the actions among the three
and to watch over the grand design
this allows for maximum flexibility to mold the appearance of governance to the will and whims of the people
power can appear to shift back and forth between the realms
construed conflict will serve to motivate people into a fervor of belief
each realm appearing only to gain momentary advantage, a delicate dance of the puppet master
while allowing for power to be wielded uniformly and effectively to good purpose
In this way can the people be satiated and permanence achieved
the people will have their appearance of freedom and power
their perception of security and stability
while underneath those who govern will have the ability
to wield power effectively and respond to the ever changing reality
and finally assuming anyone gets as far as to read this
a caveat
this is not meant as a complete argument nor even a complete thought
I realize that I have gone into some areas in great detail and others I have but merely touched upon
call it a failing of a man with many unformed thoughts trying to spill them all out in the wee hours of the night
while maintaining the slightest element of cohesion.
think of this more as a concept to ponder, an idea to flesh out
rather than a statement of cause and direction
as always, your thoughts, ideas and reflections are most welcome
and with that complete I take myself off to sleep
as it appears I may be soon succumbing to some sort of illness
and would prefer to rest that I may avoid it
Power is power and information is particularly useful to those already in power"
had a most interesting discussion today on politics and the like during one of my classes
I have been thinking lately about political realities
the subject of statecraft versus the biological consciousness of humanity
The topic of discussion was governance, its failings and more to the point
how to establish a more perfect union
that is what our forefathers sought and in its essence the fabric of the American dream
democracy is a failing institution, failing here as it did in Athens
denigrating into mob rule because people at their core are unable and unwilling to rule themselves
our founding father understood this which is why they set up a republic not a democracy
the fathers of our country recognized the essential truth that people live and act based on fear
Machiavelli wrote "If one must choose between being loved and being feared, it is better to be feared"
but that in itself is not enough fear motivates people but necessity drives them
to wield power one must strike at that inherent necessity
therein lie the power of the demagogue the ability to turn self-righteous indignation into fervor
and align himself with the people's necessity
so how do we govern?
when man is fallible and that weakness is inherent in all our institutions
The weakness in man is constructed of necessity
necessity
We all do whatever seems most necessary to us at any particular moment
You might argue with me, but it would just waste both of our time
look around you, look in the mirror even if by some chance you avoid this trap
[although I would wager that you forgot that the nile is not just a river in Egypt]
you see it a million times every day
someone making a bad decision not out of ignorance or a misunderstanding of the consequences
but out of need, greed, or lust
people make purchases with credit cards going into debt for things they do not actually need
but things they perceive to need
people stay in miserable relationships out of a perceived need for companionship
ignoring the obvious and hurtful reality that they should move on
I will correct myself
It is not necessity which drives us but the perception of necessity
not whatever we truly need at that particular moment but what we perceive our need to be
and if all human action is derived from the perception of necessity as opposed to actual necessity
then we are all as a whole living in denial, deluding each other and ourselves
This delusion of perception is caused or subdivided into three distorters
Stupidity
Greed
Lust
These are the things which cloud our perception of reality,
of our true necessity, and bind us to the perception of necessity
These attributes also share one common trait they are limitless in their capacity
Einstein once wrote "The difference between stupidity and genius, is that even genius has it's limits"
A state ruled by Stupidity, Greed and Lust is corrupt to the core
the people blame their rulers, claim they have been betrayed by the interests of the wealthy
they have indeed been betrayed but they were not betrayed by the wealthy but by themselves
The wealthy are no different than the masses they have the same biological needs
they are driven by the same necessities often even deluded by the same three factors
the only difference between the wealthy and the masses lies in capability
the wealthy, either directly or indirectly through inheritance
have shown a greater capacity to pursue their needs
so we are back to the original question
how do we govern?
what form can that more perfect union take?
Democracy has failed
Communism has failed
both are more similar than we have been lead to believe
and both have failed for the same reason
they rely upon the inherent goodness of man to succeed
there is no greater hallmark of man than his failure to live up to even the slightest of that standard
Is tyranny the answer?
ruthless yet benevolent oppression of the people?
for their own good so to speak?
one could argue that perhaps
Plato's concept of a meritocracy was dramatically authoritarian in nature
the problem therein is that people want freedom
no let me alter that slightly
people insist upon the perception of freedom
9/11, Columbine these two events show how quickly we are willing to give up our freedoms
for security and for stability
stability
that is the key word
that is what people want
what people find most necessary
unfortunately it is also a pipe dream
stability, safety and permanence are unattainable
the laws of entropy will not allow it
either something is growing or it is decaying
this land we live in like the roman empire before it is decaying
We are the new romans and Caesar has already been assassinated
the decline has begun, we slide from stability to chaos
our institutions are corrupt, our people fat and weak
the carrion birds circle openly listening to our hoarse breaths
waiting for that familiar rattle of the lungs before death
New institutions must be formed, simple reforms are not enough
renovating the building is not enough when the foundation is rotten
it all must be torn out and built anew
so we go back to stability
stability is the primary need of the people
therefore it must be the primary focus of the government
unfortunately true stability is unattainable
therefore the most a more perfect union could hope to attain
is the appearance of stability
if we accept this, then we must admit ourselves to be unwilling to accept a basic law of reality
and therefore require that our government deceive us so that we can live with perceived safety and stability
deception receives far worse a reputation than it deserves
after all we deceive ourselves everyday, we demand that others deceive us as well
to twist an old turn of phrase
what is good for the goose, is good for the gander
even those few of you who are following me thus far are probably having a hard time swallowing my words
this is an essential problem as the masses who will never waver from their flawed perceptions
will have an even harder time accepting this
therefore a more perfect union must be founded upon deception
not to betray the people but to prevent them from betraying themselves
A more perfect union must be able to present the appearance of stability and safety
while remaining flexible and expansive to prevent the onset of entropy
and most importantly must be able to maintain the deception
what deception? what exactly do I mean by this?
It is quite simple really, to understand where we must deceive
we must understand what the people want from government
These are
Freedom
Stability
Power
In America we use a complex system of checks and balances
to ensure that the power and freedom remain in the hands of the people
but this system has failed us, because it is flawed in its conception
checks and balances do prevent to a limited degree an abuse of power
but more importantly they utterly prevent the exercise of power
it mires us in mediocrity unable to achieve either great good or great evil
Let me address each of the peoples desires
Freedom - for all the claims to desiring freedom, it is not what the people want
what the people want is to be unhindered in the pursuit of the dreams
which their stupidity, lust and greed convince them are most necessary
most telling is how easily we are willing to give up our freedoms
for stability and for security
In world war two we interned Japanese
In the cold war we threw our constitution out the window to root out communism
all in the name of safety, security and stability
Stability - as we have already discussed is an impossibility, the laws of nature do not permit it
Power - this is really the crux, people want nothing more than to feel powerful
they want to feel like they control their lives and their destinies
unfortunately people are not fit to control either
people attempt to hoard power, to collect it
power is fleeting
it cannot be stockpiled, hoarded, collected for some rainy day
power is in its nature a force of chaos not order
it will not be ridden around like some showcase pony at the county fair
power can only be wielded and it allows no margin for error
power can be used correctly, efficiently, even for good
the masses have shown time and time again
throughout history that they are incapable and unwilling to wield power,
to control themselves and therefore inescapably unable to govern themselves
when a man can not be trusted to govern himself in the most minute matters of daily life
he cannot be trusted to guard other peoples interests either
only those with exception self-discipline come anywhere close to this mark
and the masses lack nothing more than self-discipline
therefore the masses are unfit to rule themselves
How do we establish a more perfect union
where governance is provided for the best interest of the people
by those capable and possessing the will and self-discipline to look beyond their immediate self interests
yet still provide the illusion to the people of empowerment, freedom and stability
To that we must look to the essence of the state
The state is divided into three essential realms
political
economic
social
when a man or group of men control these realms openly
we call it tyranny and no matter how benevolent
the people will always balk at tyranny
this is where deception must be utilized
a man or group of men must be raised in each sphere
each acting supreme within his sphere seemingly unconnected and unaccountable
each sphere must govern itself securely with no thought to the other
this will provide the appearance of checks and balances
but three groups controlling the three spheres is not enough
there must be a fourth group to coordinate the actions among the three
and to watch over the grand design
this allows for maximum flexibility to mold the appearance of governance to the will and whims of the people
power can appear to shift back and forth between the realms
construed conflict will serve to motivate people into a fervor of belief
each realm appearing only to gain momentary advantage, a delicate dance of the puppet master
while allowing for power to be wielded uniformly and effectively to good purpose
In this way can the people be satiated and permanence achieved
the people will have their appearance of freedom and power
their perception of security and stability
while underneath those who govern will have the ability
to wield power effectively and respond to the ever changing reality
and finally assuming anyone gets as far as to read this
a caveat
this is not meant as a complete argument nor even a complete thought
I realize that I have gone into some areas in great detail and others I have but merely touched upon
call it a failing of a man with many unformed thoughts trying to spill them all out in the wee hours of the night
while maintaining the slightest element of cohesion.
think of this more as a concept to ponder, an idea to flesh out
rather than a statement of cause and direction
as always, your thoughts, ideas and reflections are most welcome
and with that complete I take myself off to sleep
as it appears I may be soon succumbing to some sort of illness
and would prefer to rest that I may avoid it
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no subject
Date: 2002-11-14 12:51 am (UTC)Your wheel of power just looks like a new item of the same design.
That said; I will remain an optimist that there is a system of governance that CAN be based on the inherent good of humanity and seek to evolve the species towards greater pursuits.. but generally I envision this in terms of the mass populace as residents, but not citizen of their governing body.. not that I can't imagine all forms of political structure coming to a foul ending and requiring armed and violent rebellion of the potentially oppressed.
Seems some of what you are saying amounts to a good PR campaign. I am supremely frustrated that the current American system has not been well played amongst other countries and to ourselves.. but then I must realize that it must be making exactly the statement those in actual power believe it should be. *sigh*
Ever hear the one where country music was supposed to be a mind numbing balm to the masses to control that faction of the economic society?
Certainly small divisions like ethnicity and gender continue to get played as problems to occupy the minds of the masses from seeing their common economic plight and uniting to claim more power for themselves..
hrm
Date: 2002-11-14 01:27 am (UTC)i'm having no problem swallowing your words! i think much but do not develop any useful ideas (even for entertainment), therefore i am always waiting for someone to tell me what to think. it is very sad. really.
a recurring thought and worry for me personally is simply the fact that i can never know, because there are so many things/factors that matter (and i cannot know them). i could be wrong about that, and then, of course, i would be wrong (which sucks). but i guess my point is that anything of this nature is hard to define and/or summarize (the nature of society and mankind is certainly: _________ !) since there's no way anybody can know everything. nothing new there. sorry. just *my* comment
anyhow, i tend to not necessarily agree with: when a man can not be trusted to govern himself in the most minute matters of daily life
he cannot be trusted to guard other peoples interests either
because people adjust to different situations. if placed in a situation involving huge consequences thought processes and priorities tend to change...
i think perhaps with so many people around, information is distributed in summaries -- easy to digest packets, wrapped and packaged with reassurances from leaders and spokespersons on all levels. it's the simple fact of "the masses" that makes it difficult. the masses treated as an entity is stupid. big = stupid? meh, i dunno.
yes, i suppose even having individuals fully, objectively educated would still produce many different opinions, and there are the administrators and organizers and... are you talking ideals or reality? if people weren't bad we wouldn't need government at all. maybe we should all just break into little tribes and become disconnected from each other. ahhh!
you've already decided that entropy demands instability. so what's the point? a perfect way to govern would only be implemented for so long. the concept of perfect, of course, would change as well.
no subject
Date: 2002-11-14 05:03 am (UTC)"you'll work hard (with a gun in your back) for a bowl of rice a day"
Your appraisal of freedom and humanity's response to it seems to have left out the ability of people to condition their interpretation on the circumstance. When the founders of our republic talked of freedom, the implied constraint of hardship that was internalized into people's perceptions of what is 'normal' was far harsher than it is today.
In the 18th century, the dreams of the people were to have a good dump several days in a row, where today, they dream of Ducatis and Xboxes.
God is a ficle bitch
In the 18th century, an entire family of wealthy and powerful could be wiped out by the flu, leaving shirtail relatives to redirect the wealth, and the dead's peers to carve up the power.
Today, such occurances aren't likely to be utterly absolute, nor as frequent. This allows some to believe (by the perception induced by a lack of catostrophic callamity) that there is a true 'chosen' ruling class dictated by unchecked, absolute wealth.
I've got scads more to say
But it will take hours to read and respond carefully, and I've got work to do... more tonight.
Wonderful essay by the way. You should try to submit it to Salon.com.
no subject
Date: 2002-11-14 10:39 am (UTC)My brain activity really slows
Especially when I'm drunck a hell
Like I am right now if you couldn't tell.
I tried to read your lengthy thesis
I see some similarity to Mises
But I just don't have the capacity
To comprehend your bombasticy
right now
-- An improptu poem by the brain-drained Buffster, 2002
no subject
Date: 2002-11-14 03:09 pm (UTC)Onions make me laugh
Date: 2002-11-16 12:56 pm (UTC)