Commentary on text to criticise America etc

 

Stan Grant is quick to criticise America’s ‘sick politics’ and seeks to enlighten readers that the problem lies deeper and further than just Trump.

Similar articles of analysis always gloss over details, often summarising whole discussions in simple phrases, worded as though proven beyond doubt. Of course everything is debatable but I question the use of such articles. Of course, it is entertainment to feel ‘above them’, seeing what seems to us to be the full picture, the forest from the trees. But for years the media has been addressing everyone on issues that are only faced by some. It is unclear what those in the meritocracy, in stable jobs whiling away their time, are meant to think. When has the distance between readers and the events been addressed?  Beyond the strange shock to see what was not thought possible become reality, and some weak criticism of the responses and instigators, and condolences for lives lost, there’s not much substance about reasons, causes, and implications. The consensus is that after a few weeks, normal politics and life resumes. Stan calls for politics that is beyond normal, but resigns himself to the fact that it isn’t going to happen. Chomsky had mentioned this – he’d hoped those activists would keep their pressure on the administration to act decisively, unlike when Obama took office. Racism appears to have played a part in this attack – those protesting police brutality were heavy-handedly repulsed, yet the mostly White mobs entering the building were allowed to freely wander, with very few arrests. I like the Chinese user comments – how Pelosi’s comment on HK protests now applied even more ironically – beautiful sight. From the outset of the virus it was clear that welfare payments were among other things, meant to deter uprisings and revolts. But as life is hoped to return to normal, so that those three issues Chomsky says are faced by this generation – health/pandemic, climate change, and nuclear weapons use, which will work together to bring catastrophe, can be mitigated by international cooperation. The virus makes countries selfish, climate affects resources that could spur conflict, and weapons will be used.

Assange has had Chomsky and Zizek support his cause, and point out the way those who profited from his whistleblowing disclosures now look the other way, while Australia helps other criminals captured in Egypt and Cambodia but not his special US influence case. And still AU has two whistleblowers in continuing legal action. Although disclosure is actively supported provided it is done carefully and safely, these outliers send a troubling message. Stan mentions the hypocrisy – former presidents denounce the current politics and leader yet they themselves wreaked havoc on the world and built up the stage that led to these events.

Although trump is stabbing his primary supporters behind their backs, perhaps his own profit and those of similar people in his class disgusts him now, perhaps his clever manipulation, his use of words, is the real trump, and not the ulterior motives. But it is unlikely that he would place his supporters and their suffering above his own profit.

An extremely complex system of profit intertwined cements the old firmly and denies new things to replace them. Surgical procedures, medicines, knowledge of diseases, these are some of the things for which the ‘age rank’ applies – the first creations are respected and prevail merely because they were created first, and will not budge because too many stakeholders derive handsome profits from it. Any disruption to the existing order will be met with strong resistance. This is particularly disappointing for new discoveries and knowledge. Although they could save lives and lead people to better outcomes, they are not spread widely and unlikely implemented. Medicines are sold at extreme prices, often useless as treatment, and the patients or the government pays the pharma industry. Then when the patents expire, they replace it with another differently named medication which again is useless, but again fetches a high price. Even as a generalisation this is pretty close the reality. The variation is minor. The countless thousands who suffer violence, abuse, injustice, and unlawful behaviour behind closed doors cannot see the perpetrators brought to justice. Power exists in those who are born with it, who already have it and lives and breathes in it, and work hard, meet the right people, and get lucky. For those who’ve not got such great abilities, looking after themselves is already quite a tough job. Helping others is difficult. Merely providing financial assistance is unlikely to change those at the bottom of the rung. So education and so on are touted as the solutions. Knowledge first, then materials and opportunities, basic necessities of life, etc.

Something called memory span involves ways the human brain can be trained to remember digits to incredible proportions. But for people like us who aren’t so curious about one’s own hidden abilities, or who don’t desire to break records, this training is useless.

Much more intriguing is how people research, learn from books, videos, and discussions, and then create their own pieces of text or videos. I don’t believe in ticking off term, month, week, daily plans, but rather I set myself an open task which I will do as much of as I can. Obviously I haven’t done much these few months, but alongside law studies, I am sure some progress can be made.

Regarding ‘English breakfasts’ and continental breakfasts, which involve butter based pastries, drinks, egg, bacon, beans, toast, tomato, mushroom, sausages and whatever, the verdict is that these foods are individually safe but become harmful if taken in large quantities. More often they are served on special occasions or for visitors. Some become carcinogenic, others are heavily processed and differ from the raw material, which is harmless. Food of this sort, taken in moderate amounts, is likely safe. The amount is key. In the past, such materials were not as abundant as they are now. Our problem in this age is that we have too much, too processed, and often in shape and form only, without substance, actual nutrition, and good epigenetic messages.

Something called oat cakes involves merely heating oats in a pan with some water, whereupon it becomes a cake. Difficult to consider this delicious, but it’s also a component of the English breakfast.

Of course, we are still alive.