I shuddered as these words sunk in. When people logically rejected what the rich were putting out there, the rich resorted to emotional manipulation. That tactic isn't new, but it's horrifying now that it's gone so far. People are denying what they can see with their own eyes, not questioning what is trustworthy, just having blind "faith". An extra cliffhanger today! 😅
Excellent piece of historical focus, as usual. I appreciated in particular this simple thought you've articulated that sums up a state of affairs that now dominates not just US but Western thinking, from Silicon Valley to Davos. It's the point about the rich needing "to have a chance at becoming disgustingly wealthy again (because being merely wealthy is an absolutely intolerable state for any rich person to be).
I believe most people are bemused by the levels of wealth now attained by our hyper-billionaires, thinking why do they keep pushing for more? You've hit it on the head: it is now deemed shameful to be just wealthy. I can think of a number of psychological and cultural factors at work here. A topic well worth investigating, which would tell us how hopeless are likely to be our vain attempts at getting the billionaires to pay their fair share.
As for the yoking of the Christian religion and capitalism, they are as absurdly incompatible as democracy and capitalism. How they pulled off both of those bizarre pairings only post-capitalists historians will be able to understand and explain.
Peter, great comment as usual. I am so happy you liked my commentary about the greedy rich. They are in the driver's seat now and seem to love baring their fangs at the public. But they were certainly on their back foot during the Great Depression era, which isn't even ancient history. Watch how quick the billionaire class would become more "reasonable" about paying more taxes should an angry public coalesce and threaten their beloved capitalist system.
Your point about the incompatibility of Christianity and democracy and capitalism is spot on. But therein lies the beauty of propaganda, indoctrination, and manufacturing consent!
Great talk Scott. Looking forward to part 2. Hope you turn your gaze to Reagan along the way - someone I loathe!
Thank you! He definitely figures in, tho came along a bit later than the main action.
I shuddered as these words sunk in. When people logically rejected what the rich were putting out there, the rich resorted to emotional manipulation. That tactic isn't new, but it's horrifying now that it's gone so far. People are denying what they can see with their own eyes, not questioning what is trustworthy, just having blind "faith". An extra cliffhanger today! 😅
You got it! Emotional and spiritual manipulation... really sick.
Excellent piece of historical focus, as usual. I appreciated in particular this simple thought you've articulated that sums up a state of affairs that now dominates not just US but Western thinking, from Silicon Valley to Davos. It's the point about the rich needing "to have a chance at becoming disgustingly wealthy again (because being merely wealthy is an absolutely intolerable state for any rich person to be).
I believe most people are bemused by the levels of wealth now attained by our hyper-billionaires, thinking why do they keep pushing for more? You've hit it on the head: it is now deemed shameful to be just wealthy. I can think of a number of psychological and cultural factors at work here. A topic well worth investigating, which would tell us how hopeless are likely to be our vain attempts at getting the billionaires to pay their fair share.
As for the yoking of the Christian religion and capitalism, they are as absurdly incompatible as democracy and capitalism. How they pulled off both of those bizarre pairings only post-capitalists historians will be able to understand and explain.
Peter, great comment as usual. I am so happy you liked my commentary about the greedy rich. They are in the driver's seat now and seem to love baring their fangs at the public. But they were certainly on their back foot during the Great Depression era, which isn't even ancient history. Watch how quick the billionaire class would become more "reasonable" about paying more taxes should an angry public coalesce and threaten their beloved capitalist system.
Your point about the incompatibility of Christianity and democracy and capitalism is spot on. But therein lies the beauty of propaganda, indoctrination, and manufacturing consent!