Those predictions were all false?

Post #35,081 by 3) 4/11/02 2:09:16 AM Reply	Those predictions were all false? Well, a few predicted cataclysm. Most predicted blandness and loss of meaning and vitality. We have the greatest communication system in the history of the known universe, and not much to say on it. Show me great art created in the 1990's. I dare you. One piece that isn't rendered silly by comparison to a Botticelli pencil sketch. And that's a damned easy target, Boticelli wasn't the best of his time, and his paintings were better than his sketches. Sito.org has some nice lively, participatory art, but nothing truly great. We are dying (literaly) of fat. Depression is more and more common. Intelligent people are reduced to discussing cheesy straw-man sophmore essays. I am not a man, I am a free number.
Post #35,122 by marlowe 4/11/02 12:38:25 PM Reply	And we all die by age 120, too. Loss of meaning and vitality. To the extent that forms any concrete image in the mind, it's a problem for the backward peoples as much as any other. Maybe more so. What greater symptom is there of a loss of meaning and vitality than preferring death to life? In the West, the death culture creeps in the backdoor. In the Arab world, it's feted and promoted. None of your complaints are specific to the middle class, as far as I can see, except maybe the blandness. And most of the ways the middle class are bland are ways in which it's good to be bland. Like not strapping explosives around one's paunchy waist and blowing oneself up in some bland public market. I'll take that kind of blandness any day. [link\|http://www.angelfire.com/ca3/marlowe/index.html\|http://www.angelfir...e/index.html] Truth is that which is the case. Accept no substitutes. If competence is considered "hubris" then may I and my country always be as "arrogant" as we can possibly manage.
Post #35,144 by Brandioch 4/11/02 2:22:23 PM Reply	There is a book with words and definitions of those words. It's called a "dictionary". And most of the ways the middle class are bland are ways in which it's good to be bland. Like not strapping explosives around one's paunchy waist and blowing oneself up in some bland public market. I'll take that kind of blandness any day. You say "most", but you only give one isolated example. How many Palestinians are there? How many of them have turned to suicide bombers? Once again, statistics are beyond your grasp. The West has, in the past 100 years, turned out a handful of great novels, jazz, and that's about it. On the other hand, we have also created pet rocks, junk bonds, EST, talk shows, and so on. As a nation, we are obese, ill-informed and pre-occupied with mindless gratification (fat, dumb and happy). I'm glad you support that. Well, at least we aren't suicide bombers. Remember kids, no matter how pathetic you are, there's ALWAYS at least ONE other person in the entire world that you can say you're better than.
Post #35,154 by Ashton 4/11/02 2:57:37 PM Reply	Maybe you're being a bit hard on our salarymen? (George Babbitt, Sinclair Lewis' prototypical Murican biznessman, that is.) Sure.. we brought the world nukes.. but also, turn of last century - the Company Band! with real people playing music, some of them reaching virtuoso accomplishment. All gone now, of course -- except in UK, where the phenomenon yet flourishes. And yes, maybe we invented the Corporation and its utter freedom from any $ocial responsibilitie$ for Its actions, called it 'capitalism' and.. set the stage for It coming to rule.. over prior and largely impotent 'governments'.. but also, we trashed the rails and other efficient mass transport for 'city enclaves' + burbs, dead downtowns and a massive [oil] thirst: exchanged for personally owned Troop Carriers! (well.. no tracks. Yet.) And eliminated the exercise of walking, to boot! (ergo the physical status you described.) OK I misspoke: you're being soft on US, 'cause.. there's more.... Ashton
Post #35,196 by 3) 4/11/02 7:19:44 PM Reply	Thanks for making my point But I think you overstate my case. Refraining from suicide bombing is probably not quite the pinnacle of bourgoise acomplishment. I am not a man, I am a free number.
Post #35,249 by Brandioch 4/12/02 11:43:26 AM Reply	Heh heh heh Refraining from suicide bombing is probably not quite the pinnacle of bourgoise acomplishment. Listing the crimes you did NOT commit as "accomplishments". :)
Post #35,271 by Ashton 4/12/02 4:15:51 PM Reply	Maybe I've been too disrespectful of 'consumption' - just for the sheer Hell of it. It may turn out that, a life dedicated to the manic cycling of nice clean raw materials into.. the trash heap (after a brief pit-stop while it is being 'owned'): could be somewhat better for the planet-full (8 billion and counting) for its diversionary function! Imagine all the destructive ideas which might ferment, were they all even more bored... ... ... ...and, sitting around ... ... thinking up even more excuses for slaughtering any near-by ones who are.. umm 'different' in thought or appearance ??? Why there could be.. clandestine courses in MSEE More-effective Suicide Events Explained: why take just a handful with you.. when Our MBA* course can multiply your intended-collateral damage an order of magnitude! Master Bomber Activation\ufffd Don't be a Wimp... Escalate!* Yes, I may have erred all along - and must make amends... Consumption... A disease which is Good for all the rest !! Conservation... a Pinko-Fascist idea past its time! Just DO It !!! Ashton how could I have missed it so badly !?

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