Exploring Joseph Campbell and cutting the Gordian Knot

Introducing people of all ages to mythology... in pre-college educational curricula, youth orgs, the media, etc. Share your knowledge, stories, unit and lesson plans, techniques, and more.

Moderators: Clemsy, Martin_Weyers, Cindy B.

Locked
Andreas
Associate
Posts: 2274
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2009 6:07 am

Post by Andreas »

Nermin wrote:Position, opposition, composition, folks.
That’s the most effective way I know about developing ideas.
Isn’t feedback far more valuable than affirmation sometimes?
True. :)

Nermin
Associate
Posts: 520
Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:31 pm
Location: London, Britain

Post by Nermin »

Andreas wrote:
Nermin wrote:Position, opposition, composition, folks.
That’s the most effective way I know about developing ideas.
Isn’t feedback far more valuable than affirmation sometimes?
True. :)
:P
True friendship is based on trust, honesty and sincere generosity of our hearts

Andreas
Associate
Posts: 2274
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2009 6:07 am

Post by Andreas »

Nermin, I am just curious and this question goes to everyone.

Don't you think that in the West (US, Europe) the politicians act as dictators? Don't you think they are unjust to the people?

Andreas
Associate
Posts: 2274
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2009 6:07 am

Post by Andreas »

Politicians for sale? I am buying. lol

http://www.political-prostitution.com/

Clemsy
Working Associate
Posts: 10645
Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2002 6:00 am
Location: The forest... somewhere north of Albany
Contact:

Post by Clemsy »

Don't you think that in the West (US, Europe) the politicians act as dictators?

Andreas, I don't think 'dictator' is the right word. Politicians in America are, by and large, pawns of special interests to whom commoners like you and me are nothing more than a market commodity. Rewind a century. That's where we are, at least in the states. Labor unions in the private sector have all but disappeared and public sector unions are on the ropes. The regulations put in place to keep the stock market from crashing after 1929 have also disappeared and that is directly responsible for the 2008 catastrophe. (Important to note here that the Glass-Steagall Act, which kept savings and investment banks apart, died under the Clinton Administration.)

The Citizens United Supreme Court ruling opened the floodgates of corporate money into politics because corporations are citizens.

Fascinating, yes.

However, it's also important for us to accept responsibility for allowing all of this to happen. I am continually amazed at how easy it has been for the public to be deceived into voting against their own interests. At the end of the day, the public gets what it allows.

Fortunately, the wheel goes round and round. The one mistake the robber barons always make is taking it too far. Then the commoners wake up from their trances and say, "What the hell?" Unfortunately, it will take a lot of suffering to get to that point.

People are incredibly disappointing before they rise to the occasion and become impressive.
Give me stories before I go mad! ~Andreas

Clemsy
Working Associate
Posts: 10645
Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2002 6:00 am
Location: The forest... somewhere north of Albany
Contact:

Post by Clemsy »

Haha. This came to me this morning. I'd seen it before but it's always inspiring:

John Lennon Gave A Secret Interview 40 Years Ago. This Is The Recording.
Give me stories before I go mad! ~Andreas

Clemsy
Working Associate
Posts: 10645
Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2002 6:00 am
Location: The forest... somewhere north of Albany
Contact:

Post by Clemsy »

This is also relevant: George Orwell - A Final Warning
Give me stories before I go mad! ~Andreas

Andreas
Associate
Posts: 2274
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2009 6:07 am

Post by Andreas »

Andreas, I don't think 'dictator' is the right word.
Agreed, Clemsy, maybe it is not the right word but they have become extremely efficient in hiding under the veil of democracy. Here in Greece a politician comes up and say all sorts of mambo jumbo to get the votes he needs and after he gets elected he completely changes direction. We cannot even get the politicians to trial since we have laws that give them political asylum. Add what you are saying about treating people as a commodity and If that is not a dictatorship then I don't know what is?
At the end of the day, the public gets what it allows. Fortunately, the wheel goes round and round. The one mistake the robber barons always make is taking it too far. Then the commoners wake up from their trances and say, "What the hell?" Unfortunately, it will take a lot of suffering to get to that point.
Agreed I just wish it doesn't come to that. Like I said they have become extremely efficient. The impact is much more soft now, it stretches across a long time. It is not so much notable.

Nermin
Associate
Posts: 520
Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:31 pm
Location: London, Britain

Post by Nermin »

Andreas wrote:Nermin, I am just curious and this question goes to everyone.

Don't you think that in the West (US, Europe) the politicians act as dictators? Don't you think they are unjust to the people?
Interestingly, your metaphor let me think about the concept of direct democracy,
Andreas. I thought that computers and Internet can provide us effective tools to vote on
policy initiatives with no more need to appoint representatives -maybe in near future?
True friendship is based on trust, honesty and sincere generosity of our hearts

Cindy B.
Working Associate
Posts: 4719
Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:49 pm
Location: USA
Contact:

Post by Cindy B. »

Ha! I had second thoughts and deleted my post, but you caught me. :lol:

Still, I'm glad that you enjoyed it, James. :wink:

Cindy
If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s. --Jung

Cindy B.
Working Associate
Posts: 4719
Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:49 pm
Location: USA
Contact:

Post by Cindy B. »

Hey! Where'd you go, James?

We two are silly this morning, no? :lol:

Cindy
If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s. --Jung

Nermin
Associate
Posts: 520
Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:31 pm
Location: London, Britain

Post by Nermin »

Hello Cindy B;
Maybe you're on wrong thread but very welcome anyway?
True friendship is based on trust, honesty and sincere generosity of our hearts

Cindy B.
Working Associate
Posts: 4719
Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:49 pm
Location: USA
Contact:

Post by Cindy B. »

Nope, Nermin, right thread. James and I were just sharing a moment. :mrgreen:

Cindy
If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s. --Jung

JamesN.
Associate
Posts: 2187
Joined: Sat Mar 04, 2006 2:46 am
Location: Nashville, Tn.

Post by JamesN. »

To quote a comment I have heard more than once on these forums: " Priceless! " :lol:

( To thoses who are curious we were just sharing a moment of whimsical " Folly ". Wouldn't you agree Cindy? ) :wink: :lol:
What do I know? - Michael de Montaigne

Andreas
Associate
Posts: 2274
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2009 6:07 am

Post by Andreas »

Nermin wrote:
Andreas wrote:Nermin, I am just curious and this question goes to everyone.

Don't you think that in the West (US, Europe) the politicians act as dictators? Don't you think they are unjust to the people?
Interestingly, your metaphor let me think about the concept of direct democracy,
Andreas. I thought that computers and Internet can provide us effective tools to vote on
policy initiatives with no more need to appoint representatives -maybe in near future?
Hey guys and gals,

Naah, Nermin, I don't think the answer is in ideology. ;)

Locked