Thank you Karen! A brilliant article. May I add a link to your chain? It's something you mention: technology. When I was in graduate school (seminary setting: the question was: What brings on a reformation {cousin to revolution})? I posited that technological change fosters a reformation: it was the printing press that moved Luther's teachings to the common people.. and he survived the stake burning that awaited all who criticized the religious hierarchy. Technological change brings economic possibility to many. Those who develop it ride the wave of growth yet it represents a risk to those in power. The possibility of travel drove exploration around the globe (and the shocking idea that the world was round made possible by mathematic and navigation) and colonization. Advanced weapons proved to assist oppression of native peoples. Your theory is mind bending, yet seems to be missing in the mainstream. Please keep up the good work.
AND, the other night John Heillman actually said something I agreed with. He was referencing the occupier of the White House's campaign comments in re: I am your salvation; I am your retribution. Heillman said that the Republican President's behavior was a predicate to his actions.
When asked of Paul Krugman if the Republican President was a socialist or fascist, Krugman shrugged and said he was an extortionist--squeezing countries and their leaders (not to mention our colleges and universities, businesses or individuals) in a rancid, illegal, quid pro quo. That's all I have today.
I've always agreed with your Economic Change Train. Recently, I read in Heather's How the South Won the Civil War about Hinton Rowan Helper from NC who wrote in 1857: "Farmer's, mechanics and working-men...the slaveholders, the arrogant demagogues whom you have elected to offices of honor and profit, have hoodwinked you, trifled with you , and used you...They have purposely kept you in ignorance, and have, by moulding your passions and prejudices to suit themselves, induced you to act in direct opposition to your dearest rights and interests." I've been thinking about the notion of people acting against their own best interests every time there is an election . History is repeating itself and even though Helper was addressing non-slaveholders of the South, we are as close to civil war now as we were then. against autocrats, , and the plutocrats, and the death of democracy.
Thank you Karen! A brilliant article. May I add a link to your chain? It's something you mention: technology. When I was in graduate school (seminary setting: the question was: What brings on a reformation {cousin to revolution})? I posited that technological change fosters a reformation: it was the printing press that moved Luther's teachings to the common people.. and he survived the stake burning that awaited all who criticized the religious hierarchy. Technological change brings economic possibility to many. Those who develop it ride the wave of growth yet it represents a risk to those in power. The possibility of travel drove exploration around the globe (and the shocking idea that the world was round made possible by mathematic and navigation) and colonization. Advanced weapons proved to assist oppression of native peoples. Your theory is mind bending, yet seems to be missing in the mainstream. Please keep up the good work.
Round and round we go…..
AND, the other night John Heillman actually said something I agreed with. He was referencing the occupier of the White House's campaign comments in re: I am your salvation; I am your retribution. Heillman said that the Republican President's behavior was a predicate to his actions.
When asked of Paul Krugman if the Republican President was a socialist or fascist, Krugman shrugged and said he was an extortionist--squeezing countries and their leaders (not to mention our colleges and universities, businesses or individuals) in a rancid, illegal, quid pro quo. That's all I have today.
I've always agreed with your Economic Change Train. Recently, I read in Heather's How the South Won the Civil War about Hinton Rowan Helper from NC who wrote in 1857: "Farmer's, mechanics and working-men...the slaveholders, the arrogant demagogues whom you have elected to offices of honor and profit, have hoodwinked you, trifled with you , and used you...They have purposely kept you in ignorance, and have, by moulding your passions and prejudices to suit themselves, induced you to act in direct opposition to your dearest rights and interests." I've been thinking about the notion of people acting against their own best interests every time there is an election . History is repeating itself and even though Helper was addressing non-slaveholders of the South, we are as close to civil war now as we were then. against autocrats, , and the plutocrats, and the death of democracy.
Yikes
Well said.