Essays, Subornation, and YOU!
Nov. 29th, 2004 01:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
caraigI thought I should pass this on, from the indefatiguable Infamous Brad Hicks. His latest essay, "Christians in the Hands of an Angry God" is quite interesting, being a discussion of religion and the Republican Party. Is it accurate? Is it true? Hard to say. There are a few logical quibbles I have with his theory.
Most of you know that I "go in for" conspiracy theories. It'd be more accurate to say that I believe that rich, powerful people tend to cooperate and work with each other, doing favors which are repayed in a sort of power-bartering. Maybe some of these sharing of favors is under a formal system of ritual and society. ("Ewige blumencraft!") It's more likely that they're established on the golf course and in the vacation homes and after the board meeting. And, of course, some conspiracies are just 'rational' human behavior and companies all doing the profitable thing (wether legal or illegal or quasi-legal.) What Brad describes is a bit more conspirational than I'm willing to grant, but depending on a lot of factors, it's possible.
How much influence can a teacher or a mentor (such as Leo Strauss) have on their students? How much influence can the dean of a school (in this case DTS) have on future graduates and current graduates? Is something like the Project for the New American Century, or the Council on Foreign Relations, a simple "thinktank," or the modern Bavarian Illuminati, or just a bunch of guys with a lot of money to throw around and an urge to seem important? Putting aside the stereotype of the corporate shark, wouldn't at least one person on the board or in the executive offices of a corporation look at what they're doing and say, "Hey, this isn't right...," or do they remain quiet because the whistleblower is fired posthaste?
All this really changes little in the way of personal development. When you come right down to it, self-honestly and self-actualization should not be affected by whatever forces run or not-run the government(s). The guidance of, "Free your mind, Fear nothing," are important no matter who's in charge. Of course, that doesn't change the fact that we have to live here, too, so a healthy dose of "Think globally, act locally," also helps. Plus a light sprinkling of Santayanna and Jefferson quotes for flavor.
Well, off to see National Treasure, now. I'll write up a review when I get back. Pax!
Most of you know that I "go in for" conspiracy theories. It'd be more accurate to say that I believe that rich, powerful people tend to cooperate and work with each other, doing favors which are repayed in a sort of power-bartering. Maybe some of these sharing of favors is under a formal system of ritual and society. ("Ewige blumencraft!") It's more likely that they're established on the golf course and in the vacation homes and after the board meeting. And, of course, some conspiracies are just 'rational' human behavior and companies all doing the profitable thing (wether legal or illegal or quasi-legal.) What Brad describes is a bit more conspirational than I'm willing to grant, but depending on a lot of factors, it's possible.
How much influence can a teacher or a mentor (such as Leo Strauss) have on their students? How much influence can the dean of a school (in this case DTS) have on future graduates and current graduates? Is something like the Project for the New American Century, or the Council on Foreign Relations, a simple "thinktank," or the modern Bavarian Illuminati, or just a bunch of guys with a lot of money to throw around and an urge to seem important? Putting aside the stereotype of the corporate shark, wouldn't at least one person on the board or in the executive offices of a corporation look at what they're doing and say, "Hey, this isn't right...," or do they remain quiet because the whistleblower is fired posthaste?
All this really changes little in the way of personal development. When you come right down to it, self-honestly and self-actualization should not be affected by whatever forces run or not-run the government(s). The guidance of, "Free your mind, Fear nothing," are important no matter who's in charge. Of course, that doesn't change the fact that we have to live here, too, so a healthy dose of "Think globally, act locally," also helps. Plus a light sprinkling of Santayanna and Jefferson quotes for flavor.
Well, off to see National Treasure, now. I'll write up a review when I get back. Pax!
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Date: 2004-12-18 05:31 am (UTC)