The Soul of Russia
Wafers-
posted by Morris Berman at 12:06 PM
182 Comments:
I was researching the ecosystem & tribes of the Darien Gap, a stretch of jungle that separates north & south America. This turned up many articles about would-be migrants trekking said jungle en route 2 the modern day Rome. Ever noticed how rare it is 4 hordes of Norwegians, French, or Danes 2 emigrate 2 that shithole? Amerikkka is mostly taking in the bottom-feeders, who likely don't know its days r numbered
https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/immigration/2023/06/30/thousands-of-migrants-brave-darin-gap-in-colombia-panama-to-reach-us/70373695007/
https://jezebel.com/report-on-madonna-being-given-narcan-for-septic-shock-r-1850614704
The opioid crisis is out of control in America because Americans have no other recourse left except to dull the pain of living in America.
It doesn't matter how much money, fame, and power you amass. America takes the 'human', uses it until exhaustion, then discards it on the side of the road.
Congratulations on the new book. Considering how "The West" regards Russia these days (Ukraine War) I would say that it is timely. No, the Russians are not mouth breathing barbarians. Their culture is refined and offers many paths to profound insight: literature, music, cinema etc. More people in North America and Western Europe need to be exposed to it and your book will help in this regard. A favourite Russian film is The Ascent by Larisa Shepitko (1977). Absolutely harrowing. According to Wikipedia, "The film was nearly banned: regulatory authorities believed that a "religious parable with a mystical tinge" was shot instead of a partisan story." It occasionally shows up on TCM.
Michael-
Thanks, hope u enjoy it. A link to the film wd be helpful.
mb
https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/490152/the-ascent/#overview
Greetings MB and Wafers,
Cultural historian Jackson Lears warns that the US has lost interest in diplomacy regarding the Ukraine war. As a result, we have entered into a dangerous belief that we can win a nuclear war against Russia. Lears points out that this kind of attitude was pervasive during the early Cold War:
https://harpers.org/archive/2023/07/behind-the-veil-of-indifference-lessons-from-a-nuclear-life/
As I write this, Biden is green lighting more powerful weaponry to Ukraine in the form of cluster bombs, which are banned by 100 nations. Biden said he did it simply because Ukraine "needed them." I tell ya, this guy is the dumbest person in history.
Jeff
Jeff-
Cluster bombs were used extensively in Vietnam. It is not clear that they provide a military advantage, but it is a very cruel weapon, tearing bodies apart. Because of this brutality, most countries have banned them. Biden must know that the military advantage, if any, is slight; it's not the same thing as providing the Ukraine w/long-range weaponry (wh/military advantage wd be substantial). But to me it reflects, and is very symbolic of, a deep cruelty in the American soul, and the wellspring of hatred that inhabits that soul. Vietnam posed no threat to us whatsoever; yet we murdered 3 million Vietnamese, and tortured tens of thousands. We brutalized them with cluster bombs, and rendered the soil inert with Agent Orange (wh/also damaged American soldiers, whom we then refused to help). The fact is that we are a very sick society; our soul is cruel, as well as rotten. And altho 50% of Americans believe we won in Vietnam, the truth is that they defeated us decisively--bamboo sticks prevailed over hi-tech drones. In any case, I'm wondering how Russia will respond to this latest cluster bomb development.
As for the nuclear issue, I agree w/Lears that the US is somehow oblivious to what might happen. I worry that the Biden admin might actually prefer risking nuclear confrontation to losing the ridiculous/phony fight in the Ukraine. For the American soul is not only cruel and rotten; it's also stupid. Nor is it an accident that the American people are ardent supporters of the gov't in this conflict.
Of course, the pres election is 16 mos. away, in wh/time anything cd happen; but let us remember that this insane warmongering and brinksmanship wd not be happening if Trump were president.
mb
Dr. B, which kinda power is more effective, in ur opinion? Hard or soft power? I've been thinkin' how Amerikkka was once the main kingpin on the world stage, spreading its cultural garbage across the globe. But there's now the phenomenon of S. Korea taking the world by storm w/ its K-pop, skincare products & tv dramas. Meanwhile, Amerikkka is on a steep decline of its own making.
Sven-
It's a gd question, Orwell vs. Huxley, and we might wanna have a discussion abt it. But pls note that this blog is not a place to just broadcast opinions. If you want to launch that discussion, you need to formulate an argument regarding the collapse of America, in specific terms, and then defend it w/links or reliable references. Good luck!
mb
ps: Jeff: additional note on cluster bombs: 94% of recorded cluster bomb casualties are civilians, of which almost 40% are children.
Yesterday, Paul Krugman took a break from telling us the that economy is wonderful and that Biden is wonderful because of Bidenonmics (I know some people who would strongly disagree with all of that) and instead wrote a column claiming the rich people are crazy and the RFK, Jr. is especially crazy. He called him a crank, and one of his reasons for saying that is the RFKJ opposes what we're doing in Ukraine:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/06/opinion/robert-kennedy-jr-silicon-valley.html
(This should be available without going through a paywall.)
I guess that makes me a crank, too. I don't agree with everything RFKJ says, but the war is the most important thing right now, considering what's at stake.
I read somewhere that Paul Krugman's estimated worth is around 3 million. To me, he's a rich guy. Does he think he isn't? Does this man really think at all?
ccg-
The NYT is little more than a comic bk, happy to follow the party line. Their columnists are shills, and David Brooks is a jackass. And all of them are rich.
mb
Here’s a good way for USAins to celebrate July 4th: a massive brawl.
https://www.wcnc.com/video/news/arrests-made-after-violent-brawl-in-uptown/275-685f7eb6-62ad-4d9e-8738-c88d249ebe35
The newest drive by shooting fad in NYC, via motorbikes, is in full force.
https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/1-killed-2-injured-in-qns-triple-shooting-poi-in-custody
And while we're at it, it’s best not to ask anyone there for directions.
https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/queens-subway-rider-punched-while-asking-for-directions
Yeah the future society in this country certainly looks great! LOL!
U.S.A.!, U.S.A.!, U.S.A.!
ccg,
RFK Jr. is actually crazy when it comes to medical/health topics. He recently held a "Health Policy Roundtable" featuring, among other speakers, Sherri Tenpenny. Here she is speaking as part of the "Reawaken America tour":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYW-o8CNQiU
-- Torreblanca
Hello Mr. Berman,
Here is a great example of Western nations spreading “democracy/growth” to the poor “uncultured” inhabitants of Islands that the West apparently discovered. The current plight of Nauru Island and the other Pacific Island nations is what will happen to the rest of the World if it follows “western exceptionalism/capitalism/progress.. blah blah”. You are absolutely right that no amount of urine is enough for all the destruction that Western imperialism has wrought upon the World.
https://youtu.be/2Ih3tDP-pv8
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/in-depth/i-have-seen-so-many-funerals-for-such-a-small-island-the-astonishing-story-of-nauru-the-tiny-island-nation-with-the-worlds-highest-rates-of-type-2-diabetes/
ccg - and others
No, RFK Jr is not a crank by any stretch. And BTW - the man is NOT "anti-vax" and NEVER HAS BEEN. Now why in the world would the Dem Establishment and the corporate press ever say such a thing about him if it's not now and never has been true? And say it over and over and over until all of "Liberal" America is saying the same thing? Listen to what he has to say himself about this and some other important issues and perhaps it'll be as obvious to y'all as it is to me...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLW9s6NpS7w&ab_channel=NewsNation
Heidi:
I agree, RFK Jr is not crank. I have to admit that I've changed my mind about him a lot recently. At the very least, his views and the evidence he can point to should be taken seriously and given a real hearing. But I've seen him on some shows where he wasn't even given a chance to speak. Krystal Ball was horrible to him on her show recently.
People like Paul Krugman, and many academics I know, automatically dismiss anyone who deviates even slightly from establishment talking points. I get this all the time whenever I try to explain to academic colleagues, and others, anything about the history behind the war in Ukraine. They act and talk like ill-mannered children. They cannot pay thinking attention to what I'm saying. And to the degree that they do, it seems to go through one ear and out the other. And they immediately go back to their childish Putin bad, Trump bad, nonsense.
Aside from RFK Jr and Trump, who else among the president runners is talking about ending the war in Ukraine? No one, as far as I know.
Here is a video entitled "Everything is your fault"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZquaBPUXIo
If this does not show the complete absurdity and dysfunction of the USA, I don't know what does.
Does this mean if I'm the victim of a crime it is my fault? If so, then why have laws, police and prisons?
better-
Listen, chico: the war in the Ukraine is your fault. As was WWII and the Cold War. Time to reflect on all yr awful misdeeds.
ccg-
Tulsi? And what does Gisele Bundchen have to say?
mb
Dr. Berman—
Here's the link to The Ascent, the Russian film mentioned earlier.
And yes, Krugman is an idiot. I remember Kruggie, a Keynesian, saying that there were other reform protections—there weren't—when Clinton signed the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.
And here is an article by Michael Brenner on the dim, narcissistic delusion and eminent fall of the current US ruling elite:
https://consortiumnews.com/2023/07/10/the-new-new-world/
oops-
A recent scientific study of buffoonery concluded that reversal of buffoonery never occurs. No amt of slapping, no amt of urine, can wake Americans up. As a declinist, I enjoy the current theater of stupidity. As Gore Vidal once said, "It excites me." Or as I once said concerning the ruling elites: "They are trash." Hey, I wdn't have it any other way.
Ascent film link posted earlier.
mb
Greetings MB and Wafers,
Re: RFK Jr.
RFK Jr.'s campaign for the presidency is probably a longshot. In any event, when was the last presidential candidate able to talk this way, or sit for a 2 1/2 hour conversation? Kennedy addresses Ukraine, JFK, Jung, Camus, existentialism, Big Pharma, Fauci, vaccine policy, and the meaning of God:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPtBkw5uD-0
Personally, I would like to see Gisele Bundchen become President of the USA, and Lorenzo Riggins as Secretary of Defense.
Jeff
The us empire was/is an exceptional place. A place for dreams, aspirations, that results from hard work and grit, pulling yourself up by those bootstaps. A caring community that stands for things. A melting pot -welcoming persons from all over...to get shot at and killed.
https://bronx.news12.com/gunman-on-scooter-shoots-randomly-in-nyc-police-say-killing-an-87-year-old-and-wounding-3-others
https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-queens-spree-scooter-shooter-video-victim-final-moments-20230709-36lfszml6fe7hn3yp4h4ltnjfi-story.html
Jeff-
Hell, I had forgotten all abt dear ol' Lorenzo. What cabinet post shd we assign to Freddie Wadsworth, do ya think? Then Schmendrick for our Book Review Editor, and Gisele cd have a divided apptment: one half VP, other half waterboarding Kamala on a daily basis. Chrystal Walraven: Dept. of Social Services, and Laquisha Jones, Dept. of Geriatric Care. I wd personally take over the directorship of the Center for National Self-Destruction.
mb
Dr. Shit-
Check out the guy's face. Brr.
"and crown thy good with brotherhood..."
mb
ps: Here's another face to check out:
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/10/us/franklin-tennessee-soccer-coach-rape-charges/index.html
"america, america, god shed his grace on thee..."
Anon-
Sorry, I don't post Anons. You need a real handle to participate in this discussion. E.g., Russofile. Thank you.
mb
Here's a fine example where the phrase "be careful what you wish for" is relevant. This link documents a bunch of lottery winners who ended up blowing it all. You'll hear cases of folks visiting casinos, relatives looking for handouts & other horror stories
https://news.yahoo.com/23-lottery-winners-lost-millions-220024754.html
Enjoy the comedy show as it gets wackier than ever here. Barge into that hospital to finish ‘em off! LOL! Yes, what happens in this great ( sic) country sure is “exceptional”.
https://fox8.com/news/i-team-group-tries-to-barge-into-hospital-after-mass-shooting/
Texans take no chances in these deadly road rages. One shot to the head does the trick.
https://www.kwtx.com/2023/07/11/north-texas-woman-dies-after-being-shot-head-road-rage-incident/
Here’s today daily dose of USAin callousness.
https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-hillsborough/hcso-state-attorney-warns-of-spike-in-property-fraud
And today’s mugshot.
https://www.kwtx.com/2023/07/06/waco-woman-accused-leaving-toddler-inside-hot-car-while-she-was-drunk-july-4th/
U.S.A.!, U.S.A.!, U.S.A.!
Hello Dr. Berman, I read a few of your books some years ago (Neurotic Beauty and The Reenchantment of the World), and I was pleasantly surprised to have rediscovered your work and found out that you're writing a book about Russia. I've worked in Russia in the past and have also come to appreciate their history and culture. Following your advice, I'm also considering moving back their to escape the collapse of the US.
In my experience, it seems that younger Russians are very "Americanized" in a lot of ways, though. Do you ever worry about this, about other countries becoming increasingly Americanized? I was talking to an older Mexican man some time ago, and he complained about this (he may have been talking about younger Mexican-Americans, though).
I suppose that even if other countries are becoming Americanized, though, they might at a less advanced stage of Americanization, which is still something.
Laika-
This one simple fact ought to help you with your decision: most Americans are buffoons; most Russians are not. In the tradition of Mencken, Carlin, Vidal, and moi, Bill Maher did a show some mos. ago called "Dumb-merica." A lot of it was comparison of Americans w/the Chinese. They are astute; we are laughable, and pathetic.
Every Russian knows the name of Akhmatova. Less than 1% of Americans know the name, Robert Frost.
Meanwhile, my Russia bk shd be up for sale in abt a week or so.
mb
ps: Note that the hardcover edition of the Russia bk is now available, i.e. online at Amazon. The pb edition should follow in a week or so.
Большое спасибо!
Laika-
пожалуйста
ps: wasn't Laika the name of the Russian space dog?
Yes, "Barker" -- good name for a dog! Unfortunately, she didn't survive the voyage, though.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/Posta_Romana_-_1959_-_Laika_120_B.jpg/800px-Posta_Romana_-_1959_-_Laika_120_B.jpg?20091021224512
Wafers-
I dunno how much longer it will take for the US/Ukraine/NATO to be defeated, but following that, America will need a new enemy, a new nation to hate and focus on. If it is supremely stupid, of course, it will choose China. But if cooler heads prevail, it will make Chad the target of our animosity. This blog is willing to serve as the locus of Chad-hatred, helping Americans to see that the people of Chad are all communists, and helping to get them (Americans) all worked up. Some features of this development:
1. Following my analysis of the US as endlessly caught up in "negative identity," due to its complete spiritual emptiness, the War On Chad (WOC) will need to prevail on a # of fronts. As French sociologist Denis Duclos wrote, America and Americans need a "werewolf" to hate and oppose, in order to feel coherent and meaningful.
2. In the case of Russia-hatred, many American universities cancelled courses in Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and so on. (We really aren't very bright.) Similarly, it will be necessary to ban all Chad literature; altho it's not clear what that consists of.
3. We shall need to find Weapons of Mass Destruction in Chad, proving that the country is a nuclear threat to us.
4. The name of this blog will be changed to DOWN WITH CHAD! At the same time, America will change its motto from E PLURIBUS UNUM to CARTHAGO DELENDA EST.
5. Between today and our Ukrainian defeat, us Wafers will need to fan out across the US, alerting our fellow-citizens to the dangers of Chad. Personally, I'm pumped, thinking of all the hell we shall visit upon Chad, as we did to Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and numerous other small-time countries. Don't mess with Texas!
6. At the same time, we need to plan ahead. This means setting up a think tank to search for a post-WOC enemy, once we wipe Chad off the face of the earth. As war criminal Madeleine Albright said, "We are the indispensable nation."
mb
ps: #7: Please be thinking about the role of Kamala Schmamala, Laquisha Jones, Lorenzo Riggins, Condi Rice, and Gisele Bundchen in the WOC and future wars.
The WOC (War On Chad) is a project all Wafers can heartily support. Already, the U.S. Department of Commerce has turned its eye on Chad, given its mineral wealth in uranium and gold. And there’s oil! An Exxon/Mobil consortium has been active in Chad since 2003, and petroleum exports account for 60% of Chadian government revenues. But more to the point of supporting the WOC, the government of Chad has signed an agreement through the year 2050 with the China National Petroleum Company in Chad. China is there! What further justification for the WOC is needed? I propose that we do our part for the war effort in Olympia by setting up a Chair of Chadian Studies at Evergreen College, a first in the U.S., to be endowed by Exxon/Mobil and a boon in hopes of reversing the college’s declining enrollment. U-S-A! U-S-A!
https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/chad-mining-and-precious-metals
https://privacyshield.gov/article?id=Chad-Mining-Quarrying-and-Oil-and-Gas-Exploration#:~:text=Chads%20petroleum%20exports%20are%20produced%20primarily
I'm sure you've heard by now of the disaster involving the experimental OceanGate submarine. CEO Stockton Rush disregarded many warning signs about the its safety issues. A former employee was fired after sending an e-mail to him about this. Stockton's arrogance ended up doing him in, along w/ 4 others. The kicker is that this sub had been on previous missions b4 this occurred. It likely imploded cuz of the flimsy material not being able 2 withstand sustained water pressures. Criminal negligence & Amerikkkan egoism knows no bounds, y'all!
https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/03/us/titan-sub-oceangate-employee-safety-concerns/index.html
https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/read-oceangates-4-page-waiver-signed-by-a-would-be-titan-passenger-listing-all-the-ways-they-could-die-in-the-experimental-sub/ar-AA1dAVNe
Satch-
Check yr post-it:
NOT ENUF SLAPPING
NOT ENUF URINE
mb
Yoogoo-
WTF? Wrong blog, amigo.
mb
Only here in the U.S.A.!, U.S.A.!, U.S.A.! First off, let’s keep the latest deadly violent fad going. Here’s another drive by shooting with a motor scooter in where else, NYC.
https://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/national-news/scooter-riding-gunman-sought-after-4-injured-including-2-children-in-bronx-shooting-police/
For all those “Back the Blue” conservatives:
https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/nypd-cop-indicted-after-child-porn-found-on-icloud-account
Today’s example of a teacher who obviously was a Roman Catholic nun in a past life.
https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/brooklyn-teacher-arrested-for-shoving-student-into-bookshelf
And the daily example of USAin capitalistic callousness. The bride didn’t get left at the altar but got stung for $800 while buying her wedding dress.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/community/the-princess-bridal-boutique-spring-closed/285-d186f37a-b6f0-4efd-a3d7-b990859520ca?ref=exit-recirc
Joe-
Let's talk microcosm/macrocosm. I personally believe in a connection between the individual violence you keep us up-to-date on, and our foreign policy, i.e. the need to bully the world. I'm being serious here.
Meanwhile, I'm very excited about our plans, post-Ukraine bullying, to nuke the shit outta Chad. I'm not exactly clear on what Chad did to offend us, but if the US gov't has Chad in its crosshairs, that's enuf for me. Die, communist scumbags!
mb
Wafers-
Candidates for Slapping Dept.:
1. Zelensky:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/12/uk-defence-secretary-ben-wallace-suggests-ukraine-could-say-thank-you
Rather a schlemiel.
2. Kanye:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jul/12/no-chairs-no-stairs-no-glass-in-the-windows-what-did-kanye-west-schoolkids-get-for-15000-a-year
A bulvan, a putz, and a schmegegge.
On another note: Milan Kundera just died.
mb
Greetings MB and Wafers,
MB, Wafers-
I'm super exited about the Wafer WOC program. America is a country wired for manipulation, and I would like to offer my services. I propose TM-like mass meditation centers fanning out across the nation, where Wafers and Anthony Robbins will hypnotize huge numbers of Americans into a whole set of beliefs and practices. We will counsel them; give them their own special mantras; and hypnotize them into believing that they have supernatural powers like invisibility, flying, and immortality. Some will develop incurable tics, and begin barking like dogs while levitating. When we have achieved complete mind control, Biden will arm them w/nukes, and turn them loose into Chad. This will, of course, trigger a Russian and Chinese nuclear alert, and pave the way for the return of Trumpi. Whaddaya guys think?
Jeff
Jeff-
I'm definitely on board. I tell you, I'm so enraged at Chad that I can't wait for Biden to close up shop in the Ukraine and shift our target to Chad. Hopefully he will bestow medals on Wafers for our outstanding contribution.
mb
Wafers-
As a confirmed declinist, two things have got me fired up rt now:
1. Thinking of what we are going to do to Chad.
2. Biden going in the wrong direction re: our foreign policy, practically on a daily basis. It's gloriously self-destructive.
mb
Here’s an amusing image: a conga line of officials from the Biden administration traveling to China, one after another, to talk to counterparts in China about the need to communicate. Patrick Lawrence commented a few days ago on the latest traveler, Janet Yellen in China. But this is not a case of “What we have here is a failure to communicate” – the Chinese get the message that these are buffoon emissaries from an empire in a severe decline trajectory, incapable of and uninterested in another country’s motivations, yet they patiently receive them with politeness and tact. Now, where were we with those WOC preparations? There are so many enemies who simply do not understand America.
https://consortiumnews.com/2023/07/12/patrick-lawrence-a-yellen-in-the-china-shop/
Doctor, Wafers, and other new Declinists who may be pop in here,
Did you know global warming is a very good thing? Tempers flare on the roads when it’s hotter. With USAins being a very angry people as it is, this is fodder for the collapse. So let’s all chant: “We want heat waves, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. We want heat waves!”
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crime/article277282073.html
The newest venue for mass shootings here: funerals!
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/bladensburg-shooting-maryland-roadway-b2375615.html
And in this de facto conservative Christian theocracy which is a large part of this pathetic piece of shit country’s demise, according to some Bible-thumping followers God doesn’t take kindly to tattoos. So what to do? Kill someone who wears one. More USAin callousness in action.
https://www.wisn.com/article/wisconsin-man-charged-with-homicide-after-bar-fight/44549527
https://www.kansascity.com/news/nation-world/national/article277286683.html
There's a lot of murder-suicide or men dying by suicide after going through the family court system. My view is that everyone is out for themselves, so lawyers & judges exist to simply play a game and enrich themselves. Women can get away with huge amounts of abuse & criminal behavior within a marriage, and there's really no viable recourse. You don't understand the family court system unless you've been a part of it, and you'll see just how much of a meat grinder it is on men.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DupdDO0MPs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZTOT6DKfZ8
Dr. Berman,I will second The Ascent. Years ago Mosfilm actually released their archives onto youtube, free of charge.
You can watch it here without messing around with streaming services:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caUnJDiWh40
I watched Solaris on Friday for the first time. I tried to talk to a Russian friend about it, but she thought it was a bunch of bullshit, haha. She much prefers American films, and won't hear anything about the Russian soul and all that. But I'm still going to try to discuss your new book with her!
Laika-
Sad to say, there are better uses of yr energy. For example, to understand yr friend, and her constricted and crippled approach to life, check out my bk *Healing*. Then you might give her a copy of the latter, wh/she will denounce as 'hooey'. Remember to have fun w/all this.
mb
Thanks, Healing sounds interesting. I read the first chapter of Coming to Our Senses last night, which I thought was fascinating. I think it's already helped me view a lot of things in a new light. You mentioned Ivan Illich, for example, and it seems to me like the book really goes into depth with some of the topics that were of interest to him, too, such as "body history." I remember that Illich discussed things like the importance of "the guarding of the eyes" to early Christian mystics and the training of the senses so that he can relate to the world in a more loving manner, which seems related to what this book is discussing and to the constricted and crippled lives so many of us have been living.
(I can see the book's relevance to a lot about what I've read about Chinese culture, too.)
Anyway, I'd also like to discuss it with her if I can manage to make it sound not like hooey! I'll try to remember to have fun with it and not take it too seriously, though.
Laika-
Well, glad my writings are of some help 2u. Regarding Chinese culture, skip to ch. 10.
As for yr friend: you'll have an easier (and perhaps fun) time if you imagine that she is possessed, in the medieval sense. I.e., what is speaking thru her is a deranged spirit that has colonized her soul. As a result, you won't be able to get thru to her, but see yrself as a shrink listening to a mental patient that went over the edge long time ago.
One other thing: a blog guideline: post only once every 24 hrs. Thanks.
mb
More USAin callousness in action. In addition to thievery during wakes, it also takes place during weddings. Adding to the heartless examples of it, things of sentimental value pilfered.
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/afghanistan-war-veteran-has-priceless-mementos-stolen-on-wedding-day/
Callousness here in this shithole country certainly knows no bounds. Even paraplegics get their power wheelchairs stolen.
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/st-paul-man-battling-als-has-truck-stolen-i-just-couldnt-even-breathe/
Callousness banking style: Seniors and even deceased persons ripped off by bank tellers.
https://www.ktlo.com/2023/07/17/former-bank-employee-accused-of-withdrawing-cash-on-customers-accounts/
And adding to the deadly violence galore here, live at your own risk if you reside inside a nursing home.
https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/2-dead-ages-73-76-after-shooting-at-nj-nursing-home
Yes. Callousness indeed is part of a dystopian “free market”, “Freedom Loving” , de facto Christian “Love thy Neighbor” society as it inexorably implodes. But this is the greatest country in the world! U.S.A.!, U.S.A.!, U.S.A.!
Wafers-
How many times do I hafta say it? Americans are bozos. They have shit for brains, and this is why the country is going down the drain.
https://nypost.com/2023/07/15/treasury-secretary-janet-yellen-dined-on-psychedelic-mushrooms-in-china-report/
mb
Dr. Berman,
Would you mind giving me a list of some of the "Wafer Hall of Famers"? Just off the top of your head, people like Freddie Wadsworth, Sheneka Torres, etc. I can only recall those two. But I've been working at the essay form as an "aesthetic medium." I have an idea for a humorous, Wafer type of essay, perhaps called, "The New Faces of America," where I do a takedown of the dumb people we are always talking about here. But I can't remember their names, except the two I mentioned. Wasn't there a guy who was arrested for having sex with a gas tank on a car? Haha, I need more names like that! At any rate, as a fine essayist yourself, perhaps you have some favorite essay writers whom you would recommend? (For study, inspiration etc.) I do enjoy the form and feel that a well-wrought essay has the same artistic value as a good short story, sonnet or novel. It isn't the form so much as what one does with it.
On another subject, thanks to whomever posted the "Joey B Tunes" video. That guy is really hilarious. If you aren't familiar with him, definitely check him out. Very funny and insightful stuff. He seems to really get what is wrong with us. Here is one example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHHZe0qszmo
Megan-
Well, there was a Tracey Macleod, a Laquisha Jones, a Crystal Walraven, a Lorenzo Riggins, and a P. Snoots. That's all I can remember. Jeff/Miles might be able to add to the list.
mb
Hello Wafers, a dose of reality here. I came cross this article in the Noema as to how China is spreading its sphere of influence in the global south. Worth a read. Tied to that, of course, is the demise of the USA.
https://www.noemamag.com/the-world-china-is-building/
Wafers-
This was posted here a while back:
https://harpers.org/archive/2023/06/why-are-we-in-ukraine/
Harper's is mainstream, and here they are, condemning the US for the war in the Ukraine. Since then, top politicos like Paul Begala have declared that it's a proxy war against Russia. I wonder if things are slowly starting to turn around.
What will Biden, and the MSM, say, when America and NATO are defeated? Will they admit that the whole enterprise was bullshit? And that the endless reportage was biased, pure propaganda? Will the universities that cancelled courses in Russian lit admit that their behavior was shameful? And the major public figures who endorsed the war: will they say they were terribly wrong, and apologize? Will the average American, who is little more than a joke, even take notice?
It's not likely that any of this will happen. It's more likely that all of these phonies will obfuscate, deny, try to put a positive spin on their behavior. After which, the gov't will go looking for a new 'enemy'.
Self-destruction for all to see.
mb
I was saddened to see so much bigotry towards Russians during this time, much of which came from self-professed liberals and progressives -- the cultural elites that like to think of themselves as the opposite of ignorant, racist rednecks. Not that I was surprised, having seen so much of their hypocrisy firsthand. I don't think such people are capable of admitting to being wrong. If they lose, it's because the Russians are just that evil. If they don't lose, it'll because everyone's lost because we've all died in a nuclear holocaust.
Laika-
1st, let me say that I have repeatedly stated on this blog that elites are trash. Seriously, they are just garbage. (Nor shd we be surprised that 99% of the American public adores them.) One of the best illustrations of this is an old film by Luis Bunuel, "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie."
2nd, it is fitting that w/the upcoming defeat of the US and NATO, America not only be humbled, but also punished. This will be richly deserved. But there is a problem w/this: in order to be punished, the US gov't and Americans have to understand that they have done something wrong. W/o this, punishment has no meaning. And they do not understand this--not even slightly. Which means that when defeat comes, they, and the MSM, will have all kinds of ways to put a positive spin on it. Mark my words, they will do a two-step shuffle. (Note that half the country believes we won in Vietnam.) And this will enable them to keep doing what they are doing, and foment another war--somewhere, anywhere, it doesn't really matter. (On America's need to have an enemy, check out the essays in QOV.)
Rome was done in by imperial overstretch, and this will also be a nail in our coffin. In our case, an added factor: the country is filled w/buffoons, from the man in the street to the highest levels of gov't. Janet Yellen, Mark Milley, Kamala Schmamala--these people are complete horses' asses. And Schmiden may be the biggest one of all.
mb
Hey Dr. B, u got an underground bunker ready? Amerikkka might b accelerating its demise soon, as it hints @ possible nuke war planning w/ its vassal, S. Korea.
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-skorean-officials-huddle-new-nuclear-war-planning-talks-2023-07-18/
Can u imagine how much better off amerikkka would b if it didn't squander so much capital tryna b the Roman Empire 2.0? Wishful thinkin', I know
Fly-
"We would rather be ruined than changed"
--W.H. Auden, "The Age of Anxiety"
It just never ends, does it?:
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/05/29/nrkx-m29.html
Dr Berman,
Thanks, that gives me plenty to work with. I'll scroll through some old posts to get a few more if I need them. And I'm going to google right now, "guy who was arrested for having sex with a car" and see what comes up. I need to read up on these people again, and then hopefully turn it into something halfway amusing and interesting.
Oh, and I wanted to post one more Joey B. clip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9Q-m2w3-Hw
This one isn't funny, just very insightful and rather uplifting. No matter that he is wearing a Beavis and Butthead T-Shirt while criticizing how Americans dress (I sense intentional irony there), he is entirely right. And there is indeed something to be said for surrounding yourself with beautiful, well-made things, especially in an ugly country like America.
Megan-
I appreciate Joey B., Bill Maher, and others who rightly ridicule or criticize America and Americans. However, the one thing I keep searching for, and never find, is the use of the word 'buffoons'. Who else is Joey talking about except obvious buffoons? My own feeling is that the only way left to save ourselves, other than putting Gisele Bundchen in the White House, is to start calling a spade a spade. Which would mean that at least 90% of the country would admit that they were buffoons, and for Schmiden to come out and declare that America is a buffoon country. There is no hope for us unless we openly confront our buffoonage.
mb
The latest and perhaps most bizarre in angry USAin road rage: Trying to shoot up an ambulance.
https://www.firehouse.com/ems/video/53066681/driver-opens-fire-on-chicago-ambulance-in-road-rage-incident
Patients inside these emergency vehicles have anger issues and result to stabbing EMTs.
https://www.firehouse.com/ems/video/53066626/ny-emt-stabbed-by-patient-in-ambulance-near-hospital
And some just want to hijack these vehicles and take them for a joy ride.
https://www.firehouse.com/ems/video/53066334/patient-takes-ok-ambulance-on-joyride
Do things like this happen in Iceland? Malaysia? Austria? Chile? New Zealand? No. They only happen here the angry violent demented buffoonish U.S.A.!, U.S.A.!, U.S.A.!
Joe-
Here is a small poem for your bathrm mirror post-it:
I am elated
When buffoons are degraded.
(Move over, Keats)
You spend a lot of time talking about the executive branch of government (e.g. military), but not so much on the judicial role in our decline.
In Griggs v. Duke Power Co. (1971) the Supreme Court made it illegal for companies to give employees IQ tests. I would argue that this decision has led to many low IQ people getting access to jobs (& therefore power) that they wouldn't otherwise have if it were up to the companies themselves. Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (2023) has reversed this in terms of university acceptance, but overall, the courts are still mandating stupidity from the federal level.
I'm curious about your thoughts of how the government itself has mandated stupidity through its court decisions.
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/20-1199_hgdj.pdf
rule-
Clearly, you know more about the subject than I do. Pls feel free to continue to supply us w/info abt it. Only thing I can say at this pt is that there has been a lot of questioning regarding the reliability of the IQ test as a measure of intelligence. In addition, there are a # of different types of intelligence; the IQ test measures only one of these.
mb
Hi MB, I have to disagree with you on the IQ vs EQ concept. There is no such thing as an Emotional Intelligence Quotient. The work in twin studies, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), Human Genome Project, and advances in polygenic scores are pointing towards something that causes great controversy: outside interventions are inherently constrained in the effects they can have on personality, abilities, and social behavior. IQ matters, and EQ is no more than a political move to downplay the implications of the importance of inherent cognitive ability.
My prediction is that in the coming decades, genetic screening will play a much larger part in our lives from a young age, and people will have the accept that inequality has a large genetic component to it. This could be why there are increasing accusations of "racism" and "sexism" and whatever else people are complaining about.
Human Diversity by Charles Murray is a good book on the topic.
Genetic analysis of social-class mobility in five longitudinal studies
In a new essay that is a must-read for Wafers, independent economist Michael Hudson describes how “national security concerns” have replaced economic reality to define the developing war with China on behalf of maintaining U.S. global hegemony. “National security” is the euphemism of bipartisan values in U.S. politics that acts as a dog whistle to squelch any discussion of doing things differently. The U.S. and Europe benefit from trade with China, yet political elites paradoxically act contrary to their supposed economic interests. But as MB has explained, myth and the belief in exceptionalism are more powerful drivers of actions that can overcome any contrarian attempts to change course. Hudson sees the project to separate the U.S. and its European vassals from China and Russia as a fool’s errand that guarantees those countries will be failed states in the 21st century. There appears to be no reverse gear in this process.
https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2023/07/the-looming-war-against-china-economic-logic-has-been-replaced-by-national-security-overrides.html
poly-
I wasn't referring to EQ. What I had in mind were alternate types of abilities such as artistic ones, or intuition, or spatial orientation (the genius of Wayne Gretsky, for example), and so on--things that cannot be captured by one-dimensional IQ tests.
mb
Yoogoo-
We are a discussion forum, not a bulletin board. I ask you to respect that.
mb
Your example of sports & IQ doesn't hold up. The NFL for decades has administered the Wonderlic test to determine cognitive ability. They recently got rid of it because the woke mob called it "racist." If you look at some of the top players, they have high Wonderlic scores (e.g. J.J. Watt, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning). Compare this with someone like Vince Young, who was highly recruited, yet had an extremely low Wonderlic score (he's an idiot). Only a few years after his high draft pick and salary, he was booted from the NFL and bankrupt, back living in the crime ridden cesspool neighborhood he grew up in.
Across all human endeavors, high IQ people are the top performers. I'm curious - do you have any evidence that a top performer in any field has low cognitive ability?
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/wonderlic-scores-nfl-highest-lowest-combine-history/e60oggcptcx616ly9p96bmt7q
wonderboy-
I wasn't talking abt sports per se; I was talking abt spatial orientation, wh/is a specific type of intelligence, and hardly limited, or related to, sports. I only used Gretsky as an example because he can spot an opening on the ice b4 it's even there. Quite brilliant.
As for yr assertion that hi IQ people are top performers in all fields: where is your evidence? Why shd we believe you?
If there are any studies of top performers w/low IQs, I'm not familiar w/them, but it certainly wdn't surprise me, for example, to learn that Van Gogh fell into this category. Wd be great if some psychologist undertook such a study, for sure. But put this in yr pipe and smoke it: the great French writer Anatole France had a brain just two-thirds the normal size. That puts him right in the middle of the range for Homo erectus, some 200,000 years ago.
The human brain is a lot more complex than you imagine it, amigo. In time, you might be able to free yourself of one-dimensional thinking.
mb
The Atlantic ‘s archives are online so you can, like, read this story from 1946,
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1946/12/if-the-atomic-bomb-had-not-been-used/376238/
Incredibly well-written! I'm curious to see the new Oppenheimer flick..
Tony-
You might also find my own take on Oppenheimer and Hiroshima in my bk on Japan, "Neurotic Beauty."
mb
I'll just add that if IQ is so important, it's likely because we live in a particular kind of society -- the kind to value such things as technical skill and analytical ability, and so on. Which is to say that it values these kinds of things over others, such social harmony or a more aesthetically informed way of life. Not valuing social harmony (or human life in general), it's the kind to want to sort us into winners and losers, and putting such an importance on IQ is just one way to do that. So is ignoring other qualities people might have that aren't measured by IQ.
It's not clear at all to me that we live in a very decent society, though, so even if it's true that in ours that it can be very important to have an IQ, that says nothing at all to me as to whether that's the way it should be. Or at least to such an extent as ours.
Laikia-
Touche. IQ is not some sort of absolute, which exists independently of context. It's basically a sorting device for competitive societies. In such a context, alternative forms of intelligence go by the wayside. We are impoverished as a result (culturally speaking).
mb
cognitive-
You need to learn to make your arguments with extreme courtesy. If you are going to ridicule me, be sarcastic, and adopt an attitude, there's no way you can get posted on this blog. You can start w/an apology, and we'll take it from there. 2nd, you need lessons in how to read what's rt in front of you. I did not dismiss IQ; I merely said it measured only one type of intelligence, and ignored other types. I don't have the refs to back this up at my fingertips, as I didn't feel the need to save the articles, but over the yrs I have come across a fair amt of literature that makes that case quite well.
Once again: if you want to get posted here, you need to start by apologizing for your rudeness. And please make it fairly lengthy. It should include a retraction of your attack on me (esp. since it is not true), a statement of
sincere regret for your impoliteness, your sarcasm, and a promise not to behave that way in the future. Until that point, I can only tell you that you come across as angry and obnoxious; basically, a jerk.
mb
I would respectfully assert that Rule of Law, Polygenic, Wonderlic and Cognitive are the same person. This person has figured out how circumvent the 24 hour rule in order to troll this blog. He or she uses a handle that matches the point they're trying to make. Pretty sneaky I'd say, but it doesn't take too long to figure out the pattern. If you look over previous blog posts, this behavior has been going on for some time. This person will give himself a phony name and then proceed to pontificate about whatever he named himself. He or she could have their own chapter in a book about trolling.
Speaking of trolling this book gives a good description of how trolling is a product of our broken culture:
https://www.amazon.com/This-Cant-Have-Nice-Things-ebook/dp/B08BSZLKDG/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1L5N9VJR3DRDL&keywords=Internet+trolling&qid=1690209002&s=books&sprefix=internet+trolling%2Cstripbooks%2C144&sr=1-5
I actually read The Bell Curve years ago, and I'm not at all scandalized by the concept of IQ, nor do I dispute its validity. As to your objection of my supposed "straw man," feel free to insert whatever terms you think would make it a true statement -- it will do nothing to rebut my criticism, which was not to attack the validity of IQ (nor to question THAT it is important as it is) but to simply ask whether it SHOULD be as important that is.
Do I really need a source for the widely accepted notion that an "is" should not be confused with an "ought?" It would seem to be one of a few in the western philosophical tradition that isn't hugely disputed, after all, but if you'd like, go ahead and look up David Hume.
Mike-
Obvious, now that you pt it out. I guess he has a bee in his bonnet about IQ, for some reason. Of course, when I last replied, I didn't actually expect an apology for his attempted put-down of me, or his aggressive rudeness. He's a bully, and bullies are in reality cowards. Which means he doesn't have the cojones to do the decent thing, and make an apology. What an empty life he must lead; what sad karma. So I say to this poor zhlob: are you *aware* that yr a piece of dreck?
Laika-
Gd pts, but I'm not sure he deserves a courteous reply. The bottom line is that he's a turkey. Can you imagine *being* such a person? Hopefully, he'll migrate to another blog.
mb
Greetings MB and Wafers,
In terms of IQ and intelligence, MB once remarked that Robert McNamara had a genius level IQ and was a total ignoramus. In addition, the application of the IQ test in America was often used as a tool for the spread of eugenics. By the 1930s, IQ was used to justify the sterilization of thousands of people. One of the most famous cases wound up in the Supreme Court in 1927. Carrie Buck, an 18-year-old white woman, was given an IQ test that showed she had the mental capacity of a nine-year-old and was forcibly sterilized:
https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-forgotten-lessons-of-the-american-eugenics-movement
Jeff
Jeff-
Gd info, thanks. These things are never free of social and political context.
mb
Wafers-
Some yrs ago, at the conclusion of a lecture I gave, someone in the audience asked me how I managed to be such an upbeat character, given the depressing content of my studies of the American empire. I can't remember what I said in reply, but I will confirm that I do wake up every morning quite happy. I wd like to give you all my secret as of today. Over the past year, the first thing I did upon awakening was to shout KAMALA SCHMAMALA! About 1-2 months ago, I switched, and now when I wake up I yell DEGRADED AND DEBASED! I tell you, it clears my head and sets up the day. Of course, some of you may yell something else, and if so, pls feel free to share it. But the bottom line is that we are declinists watching a full-blown decline, so of course we are going to feel pretty gd. But I'm sure that yelling a declinist slogan is a big part of our unbounded happiness.
mb
ps: This American Life:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/sorority-consultants-rush-colleges-parents-prepare-80b2cfc8?mod=wknd_pos1
Check out the newest creative case of USAin callousness. Perhaps home burglaries during wakes aren’t enough. A grieving touring family gets its bus generator stolen.
https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/bus-generator-stolen-in-las-vegas-while-family-on-tour-after-losing-son-in-mass-shooting/
USAin funny stupidity also has no bounds. The latest: Setting a bathroom on fire. One only can ask: Why? LOL!
https://www.actionnews5.com/2023/07/24/man-arrested-after-setting-bathroom-fire-grocery-store-police-say/
And of course anger here in the U.S.A.!, U.S.A.!, U.S.A.! often results in a restaurant worker getting ganged up upon and getting the crap beat out of him by irate customers.
https://wreg.com/news/local/cheddars-employee-beaten-unconscious-by-customer/
Just your average day here in the self-proclaimed “greatest country in the world” where the understood “Christian” thing to do is to “Love thy neighbor”.
If you’re wondering how billionaires can be so deeply irrational, here’s a good read--Foucault baby!!👍🙂
Power Causes Brain Damage
How leaders lose mental capacities—most notably for reading other people—that were essential to their rise
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/07/power-causes-brain-damage/528711/
Attention all Waferinos and others: "The Soul of Russia" is now selling on Amazon in a paperback version. Buy dozens of copies, distribute to anyone you know. :-)
mb
Despite reports of continuing significant Ukrainian casualties and losses of military equipment, U.S. belligerent rhetoric to support Ukraine for “as long as it takes” remains unchanged. And yesterday, Biden announced he was appointing the godmother of the Ukraine project, Victoria Nuland, to act in the number two position in the State Department. Nuland maintains a steady foot on the escalation accelerator, without a reverse gear. Even the staid DC thinktank Quincy Institute, publisher of Responsible Statecraft, sounds a tad alarmed.
The vicious atmosphere apparently extends to the working environment of the White House, from which emits stories about staffers and Secret Service members being bitten on at least seven occasions by the Bidens’ German Shepherd canine, named Commander. The reports have been leaking out through Freedom of Information requests.
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/07/25/uber-russia-hawk-victoria-nuland-rises-to-acting-deputy-secretary-of-state/
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230725/bidens-dog-attacks-white-house-staffers-in-coverup---reports-1112139776.html
https://www.curbed.com/article/ihop-fishkill-ny-domenic-broccoli-revolutionary-war.html
Is this an example of decline or is it just par for the course? People discovered what might be the largest gravesite of Revolutionary War era soldiers’ bones on a property.
The problem is that the property owner wants to build an IHOP on the cemetery site. The IHOP man insists that this is what the soldiers had fought and died for and what George Washington would’ve wanted. The owner envisions the waiters wearing tricorne hats.
Historical preservationists wanted to buy the property but couldn’t pay the owner enough $. The county is basically broke and the state wouldn’t help. Years later after recriminations, absurd cloak and dagger ploys, spies, etc., the historical preservationists apparently surrender.
Picture this process being repeated ad infinitum and commercial interests dissolving everything supposedly cherished within the country.
Jack-
Declinists celebrate chaos, stupidity, and internal violence w/in the admin. Go, Victoria, go! Make our lives worse!
Bud-
Capitalism: the universal solvent. I think George wrote about IHOP in his memoirs.
mb
nj guy-
Just so you know: we are a discussion forum, not a bulletin board. In future, provide links or refs, and a para of yr own commentary. Thank you for yr understanding.
mb
I received my copy of The Soul of Russia today and read the first chapter on Pushkin. I'll have to delve into his work one of these days. I'm particularly looking forward to the chapter on Bulgakov. In my limited personal experience, whenever I asked Russians what their favorite Russian novel is, the answer was almost always The Master and Margherita. I read it once in translation, but I wasn't sure what to make of it -- I seemed to lack some important background knowledge or cultural literacy. So maybe your book can be a first step in the right direction in that regard.
Laika-
Glad yr enjoying the bk. My own favorite chapter is Tarkovsky. Caryl Emerson wrote me that she thought that particular portrait was terrific.
Meanwhile, my publisher just wrote me today that the bk is selling like hotcakes. Gd news, esp. since my finances are rather precarious. In any case, the pb edition is now available, so we'll see if a lower price means greater sales.
All of this caught me by surprise, because I didn't expect Americans to be interested in a bk abt Russia. Of course, in general, Americans have virtually no intellectual interests at all, and most of them just read their fones, not much more. But I'm wondering if there is an interest in Russia now because of the war in the Ukraine. Hard to tell.
mb
Hello, Congratulations of the success of your new book! I will be buying soon.
I haven't written in a long time. I am still teaching in a suburban "high performing" high school. Students are allowed to retake any quizzes or tests. Students are no longer asked to do homework because some kids are "unable" to do homework because of their life circumstances. (Equity). If all can't do it, no one can. Students can no longer get a "0" only a 50% when they turn in nothing. We are getting rid of honors math and AP classes for "equity". Not all students can take those classes and do well. Grades are so inflated that students drop classes (or complain to admin) when they have a "C" in class, even temporarily. Some students misunderstand history lessons, accuse the teachers of "racism" and then the diversity czar of the school district (guy with the bow tie) sits in and watches the teacher for a few days. If the teacher uses the wrong pronoun (which is isn't easy to remember), they are also denounced. Students throw their backpacks down, and go to the bathroom for 20-25 minutes (just walk around the school), and then complain to the admin when the teacher questions this. I am in a top 200 public high school in the country. What do you think is happening in the bottom 23,000 schools? "Equity" is the term for American Marxism, I suspect. Equality of outcome vs. equality of opportunity. Can I do ten more years of this? Many veteran teachers retiring/escaping early. Maybe work at Costco or drive Amazon van and wait until age 60... What should I do? Pension and then Costa Rica? If it weren't for my many Asian immigrant families, I would have quit ten years ago. They keep me going.
John-
As for the book, you might buy 100 copies and distribute them to your students, also to strangers on street corners. Regarding yr situation: if yr a declinist, rejoice! This decay is exactly what we need. I was excited by yr news. It might also help to keep in mind that everyone around you is a douche bag.
mb
Wafers-
Check out the face on this gal. This face is America in a nutshell:
https://lawandcrime.com/crime/florida-woman-defrauded-holocaust-survivor-out-of-2-8-million-in-romance-scam-feds-say/
mb
Zionism at Work Dept.:
https://apnews.com/article/israel-gvir-minister-palestinians-killed-west-bank-3c0495b6671588233e4fce2e45c1cfad
Handwriting on the Wall Dept.:
https://apnews.com/article/yuan-bolivia-trade-argentina-brazil-dollar-696bfb7c5ab68d4f0a87a7f6557678f0
John,
I'm a retired public school teacher. I retired in 2015 before all this insanity arrived. Still, I remember what a veteran teacher told me-whatever is not permitted this year, will be permitted next year. This is exactly what happened. For example, students who were not allowed to leave the room, were roaming the school the following year. So note what was not permitted this past year will be allowed when you return to class. Overall, as a substitute, I see very little teacher fronted instruction. Teachers simply post the google lesson (every student has a laptop). Some do the assignment while many just play with their I-phones. Gone is anything resembling a classroom discussion. By the way, students at a working class high school will not be allowed to wear badges announcing their pronouns. Fortunately, I fall back on my advanced age should I mispronoun someone. I guess you don't have that luxury, right?
I agree with you. The only serious students are the Asians and recent arrivals but they still wear masks which gets on my nerves.
Doctor, I got your book. By the way, Theodore Adorno was an accomplished composer and some think he wrote some of the Beatles music. Did you hear about this? A website called Sage of Quay talks about this.
We might be closer to seeing a U.S. War On Chad (WOC) than ever before. An AP report reveals that in the neighboring country of Niger, whose military just staged a coup against its pro-Western president, the U.S. currently has 1,100 troops stationed and operates a “drone base” in the northern part of the country. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, but they got gold, uranium, and other resources for the U.S. Africa Command to watch over. But how many Americans could locate Niger on a map? The sun never sets on the U.S. global project, no reverse gear!
https://apnews.com/article/what-to-know-niger-attempted-coup-security-a229a854e625eb8e15cd2a8c65048bd1
Hi Dan-
Gd to hear from you. I never heard of an Adorno-Beatles connection. Adorno did hate jazz, however. What r.u. up2 these days?
mb
Greetings MB and Wafers,
After meditating on the current state of American stupidity this morning, I was struck by a Roman Candle of an idea:
WE NEED TO WEAPONIZE WAFERISM
My contribution: After a sixer of Bud Light and a few hits of grass, I will run around naked and urinate wildly inside the WH. No one will escape my stream. Make no mistake, I mean to soak the WH. I will then continue to sow discord by capturing Schmiden and Kamamala and slap them silly on live TV. I suspect I will be arrested, but I will eventually be interviewed by Kate Bolduan on CNN. At that time I will announce to Kate and the world that Waferism has arrived!
Miles Deli
Jeff-
A wonderful idea. The Biden admin needs urine and slapping very badly. In the wake of this, thousands may enroll in Waferism, wh/is the only movement that can save the country, outside of the bowel movement. Maybe take Shaneka with you.
mb
Some call the final denouement of the U.S. global imperial project a “Suez Moment.” For William Schryver, it’s “Staggering toward the Abyss.” Schryver sees DC bureaucracies and think tanks blinded by their own hubris and ideology in overestimating U.S. military capabilities in conflicts with Russia, China, and Iran, with a glimpse behind the charade provided by the Ukraine war. Things seem to be coming to a head for the U.S. in 2024-2025, what with the developing debacle in Ukraine, wild talk of taking on China, while at home the dueling indictments of Trump and Hunter Biden suggest a political crisis that could be exacerbated by financial instabilities and economic decline. We might not have to wait for MB’s 2030 for the major inflection point in U.S. decline. Hopefully, the leaderships of Russia and China will proceed cautiously, knowing they are dealing with crazy people like Victoria Nuland in DC, and that Wafers will still be able to enjoy their popcorn as the spectacle unfolds.
https://imetatronink.substack.com/p/staggering-toward-the-abyss
Jack-
Countries start trading in yuan; American arsenals are in decay. I'm hoping the US can blink out gracefully, but that is not the historical pattern.
mb
Here’s a first in our “Land of Exceptionalism”. A mass shooting takes place at a venue promoting something good: an outreach event.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2023/07/29/injured-critically-wounded-shooting-Seattle-outreach-event/5571690641760/
And more moolah, probably taken from the Social Security trust fund, to further aggrandize our military-industrial complex, in the name of helping Taiwan. Oh but we have to “defend freedom” around the globe.
https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/politics/us-announces-345-million-military-aid-package-for-taiwan
And today’s mugshot whose resume includes a pretty good criminal record, including this “Ride ‘em Cowboy” chase in Texas.
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/driver-of-stolen-u-haul-crashes-into-cars-shoots-at-officers-dallas-police-videos-show/3305505/
Never a dull moment here in the U.S.A.!, U.S.A.1, U.S.A.!
Joe-
Once again I need to say that in terms of accelerating America's collapse, the most efficient approach wd be to equip every citizen w/semi-automatic weapons and tell them to gun down everyone they see like dogs, in the street. We're practically at that pt anyway, so WTF.
mb
ps: But I do wanna add that there is simply something wonderful abt Americans. Ya gotta love 'em:
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/29/us/san-mateo-stabbing-facebook-video/index.html
Wafers-
Some of you may remember a discussion we had here regarding IQ. Some turkey, using a variety of handles, kept pushing the idea that IQ intelligence was the only one that counted; other forms of intelligence didn't count or didn't exist. He was a colossal buffoon; no amount of slapping or urine wd shake him out of his Western, one-dimensional perspective. (I wondered why he was pushing the imptc of IQ, since his own obviously hovered around the Moron category.) In any case, in terms of alternative forms of intelligence, let me recommend a bk by David Reynolds called "The Quiet Therapies," wh/is an exposition of Japanese modes of intelligence, wh/are non-linear and non-Western (most fall into the category of "ontological knowing," as explained in my bk "Healing".) In the case of our turkey, a complete horse's ass, it's interesting to see how a mind can get colonized by narrow, Western, one-dimensional modes of thought; although I'm guessing he's pretty representative of Americans at large. We are a country of widespread stupidity; no imagination at all. For our turkey, and for 99% of our fellow-countrymen, a wake-up moment will never arrive. Which is gd from a declinist pt of view, since flexibility of thought is crucial to survival; something we certainly don't have, as can be seen, for example, in the US gov't. (Biden's brain is not just senile, but completely ossified. And Kamala...vey iz mir.)
Anyway, happy reading.
mb
Douche baguettes who shd occupy the White House:
Sarah Palin
Tulsi
Gisele Bundchen
Kamala Schmamala
Nikki Haley
MT Greene
L Boebert
Put any of these gals w/Lorenzo Riggins, and victory is assured.
https://www.walb.com/story/22985151/man-calls-police-on-mcdonalds/
America is a cartoon...
My guess is that he considers himself a high IQ individual, which, in his view, makes him inherently superior to others. Not a very admirable view, in my opinion.
All this talk about IQ reminded me of another book written by one of the authors of The Bell Curve, that controversial book on IQ, called Human Achievement, which can actually be dowloaded here:
https://gwern.net/doc/sociology/2003-murray-humanaccomplishment.pdf
I'm also reminded of it because of its similarity to Coming to Our Senses, although Human Achievement takes a much more quantitative approach to the subject of creativity in the arts, sciences, and human endeavor in general. While Human Achievement does present a pretty compelling case for viewing the present age as one of cultural decline, it seems to me that this quantitative approach cannot adequately explain why this is the case, whereas Coming to Our Senses, with its emphasis on the somatic, can. So I know which book I prefer.
I also appreciate that Coming to Our Senses points to some possible ways forward from our current predicament, if only on an individual level (or perhaps that of a small community). From the sound of it, David Reynold's The Quiet Therapies can be helpful here, too. For now, one step I've decided to take is to get back into a regular meditation practice. I'll have to think more about what I can do concretely to achieve some sort of somatic reintegration or wholeness, though.
I think it should be pointed out that we are nearing the 10th anniversary of Lorenzo's brave stand for consumer justice (MB's article above is from Aug 1, 2013). To be honest, though, his "burger blunder" is pretty tame compared to many of the other stories posted since.
Cranston-
I wonder if he enrolled in Herman Cain's 999 Plan. Another missed opportunity for the American presidency.
Laika-
Check out tarabrach.com. Some ideas also in my bk "Healing."
mb
I love it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO5l_N4BtEE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoHqB3BKJxQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nEkLdjMeB0
Our future is bright!
An exceptional people from a great nation. A place whereby grit, hard work, and tenacity showed the world that shining beacon on a hill; a place whereby the streets were paved in gold with SHCOOL zones and PRINCIPLE musicians drove to work...
https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/back-shcool-town-paints-spelling-mistake-school-zone/H4ZBWHYUPZD4NPMOJCOKMIQ3HI/
https://www.bso.org/press/bso-and-andris-nelsons-appoint-richard-gus-sebring-as-winner-of-the-orchestras-coveted
-What a shit show the us empire is and was.
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free”. Unfortunately, in yet another example of USAin callousness, six huddled migrants were run over in North Carolina.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2023/07/31/six-migrants-hit-and-run-North-Carolina/3541690785451/
Don’t accidentally bump someone in New York City. You’re likely to get assaulted, or worse, possibly get thrown onto the subway tracks. USAins are such an angry people.
https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/subway-shove-man-attacks-boy-who-accidentally-bumped-him
And today’s USAin mugshot involves someone who, in legalese lingo in this “exceptional” legal/criminal system, took part in “indecent liberties” with a child.
https://www.wral.com/story/caregiver-charged-with-indecent-liberties-with-a-child/20976464/
Greetings MB and Wafers,
MB-
I spent the morning watching the videos you posted of young American stupidity. I tell ya, I'm in luv w/these morons. Babe Ruth as President? Jesus, what a collection of clueless buffoons.
Cranston-
Lorenzo is a hero. I believe he was the first member inducted into the Wafer Hall of Fame (WHF).
MB, Wafers-
A new phenomenon is afoot in this nation: throwing shit at artists performing live.
Bebe Rexha gets hit in the head w/a cellfone:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii5rZjDE838
Kelsea Ballerini gets hit in the face w/a bracelet:
Granted, I've no idea who these "artists" are, but I encourage an escalation of this type of behavior.
Miles
Jeff-
Our declinist mottos:
Bad Is Good
The Worse, The Better
mb
Doctor,
I'm coming out with a second book in August or September. It's called Never Lose Sight of the Dark-crazy advice for crazy times. It's really an attack on the anodyne, nauseating bromides found in self-help literature. It contains over 300 pieces of "advice" (with illustrations) such as: Life is short. Dreams take time. Do the math; You cannot escape your destiny but try anyway; and Avoid people who know you. I'll be making a series of YouTube videos with an authoritative voice (think Orson Welles) reciting these. I'll let you know when the book and videos are available. Besides that, I am dealing with entirely new levels of selfishness and inconsideration. For example, I was to meet a friend for lunch. It took about a half hour drive to the restaurant. When I arrived he called to say he couldn't come without any explanation and just hung up. Then I called my 85 year old cousin who was in the hospital for a month to see how she was doing. The only thing she could talk about was if I was interested in selling my father's army jacket and that I should go to Ebay and see what that type of jacket is selling for. I expect her last words to be, "Have I got a deal for you!"
By the way, Woody Allen just came out with a book for short stories (his first in 15 years
called Defying Gravity. I highly recommend it. He is clearly a genius regardless of the allegations directed against him.
Dan-
Congratulations. Sounds like a much-needed work, altho most Americans will remain stuck in anodynes. My last words will be:"I kept telling them, but did they listen? No!" As for Woody, I never believed the allegations.
mb
I don't listen to rap, so I'm probably the only person alive who was unfamiliar with this song. But it showed up in my "Youtube feed." (I've been trying to figure out why the AI algorithm thought I might enjoy this?) Anyhow, it won a Grammy two years ago and they actually performed it on live TV (I'm not sure if it was cable or regular TV, and what they changed or bleeped out.) At any rate, the one thing you can say for it, is that one would be extremely hard-pressed to come up with a more vile or disgusting song. If I had to die or sing this on national TV, I would definitely sacrifice my life. Without a second thought.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRp_IdGyj3Y
Imagine the countless individuals who had to vote for this, set up the stage, plan it all out, etc. If I were black I would be so offended. Out of the thousands of true black musical geniuses in all genres (What would Ella Fitzgerald or Kathleen Battle think of this?) they have made THIS woman into an international celebrity. I just saw her on a Pepsi commercial (I think it was Pepsi. But what happened to cancel culture when you need it?) I see it as a clear case of Woke "nostalgie de la boue," (love of filth and degradation, mom was a French teacher), a way to throw it in the face of the few remaining people who still have, you know, values. Nevertheless, it would make an apt and fitting new national anthem!
I just subscribed to Brad Troemel's patreon and listened to a comprehensive and well-researched lecture about hustle culture called the "hustle report" in which Brad goes over three main eras of "hustle culture" - 1. "Bootstrap Mythologies" (American Dream/Protestant Work Ethic), 2. "Side-Hustle"/Gig-economy era, and 3. the scam era (our current era). He's got a background in contemporary art and meme/internet culture and that was an interesting perspective on themes I think Dr.Berman has also covered (namely- hustle culture).
Near the end of the lecture he said, "Maybe the reason Americans are so willing to hustle themselves and those around them is because we fully internalize the logic of scams as being intrinsic to our national identity:
-the student loans we took out only to have the double in size while making consistent monthly payments...was a scam
-the degree we got with those loans for a job that doesn't exist...was a scam
- the private health insurance we pay for that doesn't cover our medical bills if we do get in an accident.., was a scam
- the 'moral imperative' to never stop voting in elections that have been almost entirely predetermined through non-democratic means... was a scam
-taxes we pay for roads and bridges (we thought) but the majority of that money goes to maintaining America's military (54%) as a global police force... was a scam. and on and on"
https://www.patreon.com/bst
Nathan-
Thanks for the info. I wonder what % of Americans get it, that this way of life is a ripoff. I ask this in all seriousness. 10%? I have no idea.
mb
How clueless can end of empire leaders be? Matt Taibbi—the formerly favorite journalist of my liberal friends who hated him after he applied the same journalistic standards to dems that he had to republicans—lays it out here in beautiful fashion, describing Trumps continual rise in the polls despite all the charges against him:
"If you drop 76 charges on a candidate and he goes up in polls, you might want to consider that you might be part of the problem. But they can’t take even that heavy a hint."
https://www.racket.news/p/campaign-2024-officially-chaos
Wafers-
Trumpi in jail? Is there any reason not to bake him in a casserole dish?
mb
Dr. Berman and Wafers,
An update on a familiar person to readers this blog, Kim Kardashian:
https://weareyard.com/insights/worst-celebrity-private-jet-co2-emission-offenders
So far this year (2022), Kim’s jet emitted 4268.5 tonnes of carbon emissions over 57 flights: 609.8 times more than the average person emits in a year. Kim’s jet has an average flight time of 85.49 minutes, for an average journey length of 99.78 miles.
I wonder how many Americans would change their opinion about her if they learned of these sickening facts (my assumption is very few).
-- Torreblanca
Torre-
But we hafta factor her buttocks into the equation, no? The truth is that what is deep inside them is what America is all abt.
Oops-
It's a chicken and egg problem. Are individual Americans degraded because the country is degraded, or is the country degraded because individual Americans are? Wafers are encouraged to weigh in on this impt issue. Meanwhile, Matt's analysis fails to include the Buffoon Factor. I.e., a nation of buffoons can only elect buffoons to office, as George Carlin once pointed out.
mb
ps: If Trumpi goes to jail, and wins the election from jail, what happens next? Can he pardon himself? Does anyone know?
@Miles Deli:
I'm ok with Bebe getting hit in the head with a phone. She gained a lot of weight, asked her boyfriend if she'd gotten fat, he answered her in the kindest way possible, she dumped him and leaked their private text conversation. Then she played the victim in the media. She's garbage.
@Dr. B and the Wafers: has anyone here been cured of panic disorder? Any books/programs you recommend?
Cherith-
https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Insecurity-Message-Age-Anxiety/dp/0307741206/ref=sr_1_1?crid=18K1PRRMQ4P60&keywords=the+wisdom+of+insecurity+alan+watts&qid=1690984253&s=books&sprefix=wisdom+of+insecurity%2Cstripbooks%2C666&sr=1-1
mb
Hola MB and Wafers,
Will Trumpi finally hafta face the music? The plot thickens.
MB-
Re: If he wins in 2024, can Trumpi pardon himself?
It's my understanding that the pardon power is plenary and unlimited. Any president can grant legal absolution to *anyone*, for any federal crime, at any time. It's completely discretionary by the president. So, conceivably, Trumpi could pardon himself on Inauguration Day, 2025. There would probably be litigation over whether his self-pardon is legal, and that process would take time to resolve, most likely by the SC. Congress, if it's controlled by the Dems in 2025, could conceivably impeach Trumpi immediately for his self-pardon as a violation of the law somehow, but who knows how that would play out. Another route: Trumpi could, after winning in 2024, declare himself unable to discharge his duties under the 25th Amendment, and then his VP would become president. The acting president could then pardon Trumpi. Then Trumpi notifies Congress that he is able to resume his duties as president. And just like that, Trumpi breaks another norm in US political history...
Miles
Jeff-
If he's in control of the DoJ, I guess he cd dismiss the cases against him.
mb
Clown world Amerikkka: the hoopla about a supposed shooter @ the Capitol is being deemed a fraud. Cops are reported to have found 0 evidence of any "active shooter". This must b chapter II of what happened in January 2021, eh?
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/senate-office-buildings-cleared-after-apparent-bogus-active-shooter-report/ar-AA1eHNIf
Where did that year go? Time again to wish you: Feliz cumpleaños (August 3) y todos los mejores deseos por muchos años más de buena salud.
I have recently turned 70 and have often been dumbstruck by the intellectual achievements of those whose age has or had 7 or 8 as the first number. The wisdom to be found in the words of such writers as James Hansen, Michael Hudson, John Mearsheimer, Sheldon Wolin and the host of this blog is a gift. I hope the blog will continue but my greater hope is that the books keep coming from a very deep well. Thank you for a still growing and important body of work.
Michael-
Many thanks; I'm surprised anyone remembered. But tomorrow I turn 79, an old and irascible patriarch. Little children in the street point and laugh, cry "Viejo!" At least I'm not using a cane (yet). As for my works in progress: 2023 was a bang-up year: no less than 2 bks, and I'm happy w/both of them. And my publisher tells me that "The Soul of Russia" is experiencing decent sales, so far. (Maybe due to the war in the Ukraine, but that's just a guess.) Anyway, that bk was my 19th; I think I'm gonna rest for a while, tho I just wrote an article on the "Axial Age." Not sure where to publish it, since Americans regard me as the kiss of death. (They may be rt.) Well, Onward & Downward, I say; into The Pit!
mb
Hi Wafers,
The razor-thin margin between what happened on Jan 6 and what was planned to happen (a genuine coup) is pretty breathtaking. What's more, millions of people are still sending the psychopath lots of $$$ AND think all of this was just fine.
If Bush v. Gore wasn't the final nail in the coffin, if Iraq wasn’t, if Newtown/Virginia Tech/Uvalde wasn’t, the fact that this attempted coup happened and Republicans still voted NOT to impeach…that’s game-set-match as far as the democratic experiment is concerned. This country has indeed failed. Any claim to moral authority or any kind of authority at all has long since gone from anyone associated with the United States. Even Jack Smith cannot muster the gravitas to meet the current moment.
Here’s what is “news” in the US:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/cdc-issues-leprosy-warning-people-192000957.html
https://www.yahoo.com/news/co-owner-executive-director-charged-154304020.html
https://www.yahoo.com/news/cell-phone-video-surfaces-off-225114013.html
AOBTS (“all over but the shoutin’)
DTE
Dio-
Of course, I've been rdg all of the political analyses (like Taibbi, for example, or Jimmy Dore) that realize that we are doomed. But in all of these analyses, there are 2 crucial facts missing:
1. That we are little more than a collection of degraded buffoons
2. That this buffoonage is a major factor in our collapse.
In vain, I search for the crucial word--buffoon. Until this is stated clearly (and repeatedly), the general public will fail to understand what is happening to us, and why.
mb
Doctor,
A word of caution. I don’t know if you have one planned. But you may not want to have a Wafer summit in Union Square.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/twitch-influencer-kai-cenat-custody-console-giveaway-causes-chaos-new-rcna98256
https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/chaos-thousands-flood-union-sq-over-kai-cenat-giveaway
The collapse of USAin capitalist society certainly is entertaining. One of the mottos perhaps should be: "Beware of You Tube streamers bearing gifts." LOL!
Joe-
Buffoons in search of free toys. Gd description of America.
mb
Looks gd:
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Not-Useful-Ailton-Krenak/dp/150955405X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3D7WX9GQ161YE&keywords=life+is+not+useful&qid=1691256993&s=books&sprefix=life+is+not+useful%2Cstripbooks%2C653&sr=1-1
Biden is preparing a "remarkable escalation" in the Persian Gulf that could lead to a US-Iran war. Same shit the previous admin. was pulling w sanctions and saber-rattling.. it all shows you how USA hegemony exists as an amorphous and non-partisan blob
U.S. moves to put Marines on commercial ships to stop Iranian seizures - The Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/08/03/armed-marines-iran-ship-seizures/
“It is impressive how MBS has played Biden,” writes Trita Parsi. “He is successfully pushing POTUS to reverse the many policies Saudi Arabia opposed — rejoining the JCPOA, reducing U.S.-Iran tensions, and bringing American troops home from the Middle East.”
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2023/08/04/with-marines-on-persian-gulf-vessels-is-biden-risking-war-with-iran/
Dr. B:
I read the book by Ailton Krenak. It is a short book like your recent Healing volume. Both of these books are packed with paths to a simpler, better life. I am eager to read your Russia volume in the near future.
Laugh-
1st, we hafta be at war w/somebody. It's what the US is all about. Check out essays in QOV.
2nd, Schmiden is a senile buffoon. Trumpi, if reelected, will destroy the country. Schmiden, if reelected, might destroy the world.
Mike-
Thank you. I suspect you'll enjoy the Russia bk.
mb
Amerikkka is using its Puerto Rican vassal 4 training Ukrainian f-16 pilots. Most Amerikkkans are too dimwitted & ill-informed 2 c what's being done in their name
https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/01/politics/f-16-ukrainian-pilots-training-critical-decisions-august/index.html
Meanwhile, 2 cops in Detoilet are in hot water 4 road rage & rape cases.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/two-detroit-officers-criminally-charged-in-separate-road-rage-rape-cases/ar-AA1eBQBI
P.S, I think the current st8 of Amerikkka would make a good tv tragicomedy. It could b named "As the Empire Crumbles"
What if they take away our GUNZ?!
We'll spear you through the fuckin head with Old Glory herself!
Man thrusts American flag through another man’s head at Sonic
https://news.yahoo.com/man-thrusts-american-flag-another-192629950.html
Proly forgot the bacon.
comrade-
This is a new and exciting development in the disintegration of the American empire. I envision thousands of citizens ramming American flags into each others' heads in the coming months. No reason for them not to do so, really. However, I'm not exactly sure as to the meaning of 'Proly'.
mb
Historian Eli Merritt argues that the 13 Colonies only tolerated their differences to quasi-united nto a single entity due to an existential fear of civil war, collapse, and invasion. This looks like a sober interpretation of the revolutionary period, less about some contiguous & fantastical patriotism and more about internecine strife and existential dread, and isn't that what's in America's core?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0826222811/?coliid=I3NH8B4CLZNWVV&colid=3CXKTWKYBMQBS&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Concerning the Ukraine proxy war, about which I disagree with all of my friends/acquaintances: a must-see recent film is BEANPOLE, which takes place in Petersburg very shortly after the end of WWII. To my mind, it dramatizes a psychology that underlies much of the policies of the Russian nation-state. A national trauma that, although actually experienced by a diminishing number of Russian citizens, is still very present in their cultural psyche. Highly recommended.
elissa-
1st, if you refer to any film or bk or whatever, pls be sure to provide a link, for the convenience of other Wafers. 2nd, as for your friends: if they are Americans, then they are gullible buffoons, and have shit for brains. This is the bottom line for all cultural or political analyses of the US. Finally, you might enjoy my latest bk, "The Soul of Russia."
Remember: you are surrounded by dolts.
mb
Re: BEANPOLE (English title). The movie was released in the US in 2020 at which time I saw it at one of our local art houses. This year I noticed the DVD at our local video store, (the oldest in the USA!) During a forced hotel stay last month--flight delay--I was surprised to notice that it was on one of the free streaming services, but I forget which. It is a hard movie to watch, but beautiful in its honesty.
I am a bit more forgiving of Americans' blindness than you are; (I was born here, but my father was not a US citizen). When you grow up here and virtually every activity takes place within an almost airtight national narrative, it is very difficult to break through. I have toyed with the idea of making a button with the response of the talking fish, "what is water?", but, then, it may be futile to engage in civil discourse with those whose minds have been made up.
I'll order your Russia book tomorrow. Russia is and always will be a very important nation, not the least because of its immense depth of culture.
elissa-
This was the link I was looking for:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beanpole_(film)
As for American blindness: yes and no. I know of no people so willingly conned by their national narrative as Americans. I know of no people so hateful of dissenters from that narrative as Americans. If you critique the gov't in Scandanavia, let's say, people don't immediately start screaming "Traitor! Anti-Swede!" or whatever. There are limits to Chomsky's argument of "manufactured consent," it seems to me. The model closer to reality is not rape (of the mind), but consensual sex. You don't find the same eagerness to embrace the national narrative in France, for example, nor do I believe the US narrative is as airtight as you make out. There are literally tons of sources of alternative info in America, if one only bothers to look, and there always have been. You yrself are a gd example of this.
Enjoy "The Soul of Russia."
mb
ps: I forgot to mention: in future, post only once every 24 hrs, max. Thank you.
Wafers-
Gd essay in July 20 NYRB on Mike Pence as an empty douchebag.
mb
ps2: elissa: I discuss Americans' determination to ignore or marginalize alternative voices--of which there has been a constant stream, starting from the early 17thC--in "Why America Failed." I also argue that this is why America failed.
I went to the public pool with my daughter today.
A kind gentleman with his daughter noticed my Polynesian tattoos and we got to talking. Within 15 minutes we were discussing American culture (or lake thereof), love of nature, love of children, and philosophies of how to live happily.
He's a leader within the Muscogee Nation and runs the sweat lodge rituals for the tribe here in North Carolina.
It took 15 minutes to get to topics of consequence with this man. I could spend 15 years with American 'friends' of mine and never get anywhere close to the same place.
https://www.muscogeenation.com/
I told my Russian tutor today that I'm reading The Soul of Russia, so she introduced me to Lermontov's poem Парус, which all Russian students learn. Seems to me like it could be the official poem here.
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Парус_(стихотворение)
Белеет парус одинокой
В тумане моря голубом!..
Что ищет он в стране далекой?
Что кинул он в краю родном?..
Играют волны — ветер свищет,
И мачта гнется и скрыпит…
Увы! он счастия не ищет,
И не от счастия бежит!
Под ним струя светлей лазури,
Над ним луч солнца золотой…
А он, мятежный, просит бури,
Как будто в бурях есть покой!
From Google Translate:
The lonely sail turns white
In the blue fog of the sea! ..
What is he looking for in a distant country?
What did he throw in his native land?..
Waves play - the wind whistles,
And the mast bends and hides ...
Alas! he does not seek happiness,
And he does not run from happiness!
Beneath him is a stream brighter than azure,
Above him is a golden ray of sun...
And he, rebellious, asks for storms,
As if there is peace in storms!
Broken-
Fitting, that you put the word 'friends' in quotes. Americans have 0 idea as to what that is. Here's an interesting thought experiment: Suppose some scientific team went out into the street and kidnapped 10,000 Americans, after which they knocked them out, and did biopsies of their brains. Now imagine that in 99% of cases, what they found in these brains was dog excrement. Question: Wd this surprise you?
Laika-
Otlichno! Prekrasno! Breathtaking. I also love that watercolor he did, of the sea. For more on my relationship to Russia: my book "Healing"; also, the essay "My Russia," in the book "Are We There Yet?"
mb
China has been making investments in the Caribbean as of late, which doesn't sit well w/ the higher-ups in Amerikkka. The pearl-clutching over this is a clear indication of a failed state in its death throes. Amerikkka has nothing to offer anymore, except a lifestyle devoid of substance, military belligerence & threats.
"General Laura J. Richardson of the U.S. Southern Command gave testimony at a congressional hearing wherein she issued a warning to U.S. lawmakers about the expansion of Chinese influence in the Caribbean that were at odds with purported U.S. interests in the region."
https://coha.org/us-moves-to-curtail-chinas-economic-investment-in-the-caribbean
Ursula-
Several mos. ago Bill Maher did a show called "Dumb-merica," in which he compared American stupidity to Chinese intelligence. It was quite funny. Certainly, America has nothing to offer anyone, esp. not to its citizens. Being buffoons, they don't see this.
mb
Dr. Berman and Wafers,
A new development in the U.S.: "Attacks at US medical centers show why health care is one of the nation’s most violent fields."
According to the article (https://apnews.com/article/hospitals-workplace-violence-shootings-aa6918569ff8f76ff8a15b9813e31686), "Data shows American health care workers now suffer more nonfatal injuries from workplace violence than workers in any other profession, including law enforcement."
A quote from Eric Sean Clay, vice president of security at Memorial Hermann Health in Houston, speaks volumes: “We actually have our own firing range that we use.”
-- Torreblanca
Recent CNN poll:
"In the CNN poll published Friday, 55% of all respondents said that Congress should stop authorizing new military aid for Kyiv...Republicans are far more likely to favor an end to aid than Democrats.
"The survey found that 71% of Republicans told pollsters Congress should stop sending more assistance. Among Democrats, 62% favor *more* funding for Ukraine."
Conclusion: Dems are buffoons, GOP have at least half a brain.
mb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q8fYydofpw
Following up on my friendship with the Muscogee man.
When we spoke about our respective tattoo work (mine is Polynesian), he explained the meaning behind a 'hand print' he has on his inner arm.
When his grandmother was in her last days, he went into her room where she put her hand on his arm and told him how much she loved him. He had a family member trace the woman's hand with a pen while she was touching him. He turned it into a permanent art piece on his arm.
He said the thing he wanted to remember by doing this is how IMPORTANT multi-generational households are to the human soul. He still lives with his parents and children on the same plot of land.
I cried a little bit when he told me this.
At 17, I was told to leave my parents' home or be prepared to pay rent. Even though my family is well-off, I went through one spell in my life where I was homeless because my family believes in 'bootstraps'.
We've committed spiritual suicide in America.
The New York Times is apparently working in overdrive in order to help keep the war going in Ukraine:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/06/world/europe/putins-forever-war.html
Putin's desires forever wars? The US doesn't? And most readers of the Times will lap that up.
The New York Times: All the propaganda that's fit to print.
ccg-
At this pt it's little more than a propaganda sheet. What a pile of crap the NYT turned out to be.
mb
OK, here's a little quiz:
1. Russia finally defeats the Ukraine; Zelensky surrenders.
2. The US puts a positive spin on the defeat.
3. The American people:
a) Cheer our 'victory', or
b) Call the US gov't out for the whole venture being a phony proxy war, and for wasting billions that could have been better spent at home. Plus calling the use of cluster bombs a war crime.
Which wd be most likely?
mb
Opinion: U.S. leaders knew we didn’t have to drop atomic bombs on Japan to win the war. We did it anywayhttps://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-08-05/hiroshima-anniversary-japan-atomic-bombs
To those who still speak nonsense that the bombings were inevitable and that the only alternative was a bloody US invasion of Japan, here we are.
Also read the great interpretation of the conflict in MB's "Neurotic Beauty"!
Laika-
Sorry, was that a response to my previous post (above)? If so, I apologize for deleting it. Normally, Wafers provide a link or reference, but in this case maybe it wasn't necessary.
mb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUPMjC9mq5Y
I love going back to the footage from the Tea Party rallies.
None of these morons were capable of realizing what fools they looked like on camera.
Xen-
A preview of the Trumpites, I guess. What bozos.
Wafers-
I know a lot of you are enjoying "The Soul of Russia." For some reason, you checked in on "Healing," which has a # of Amazon reviews. Sadly, the Russia bk sits there w/o a single star. If any of you feel like posting a review of the book, pls note that I will have no objections whatsoever. :-) But only if the spirit moves you, obviously.
mb
Here's a scumbag for ya:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/08/richard-nixon-plot-allende-chile-presidency
No surprise there. What trash Nixon was.
I found a recent list of the world's happiest countries. Amerikkka isn't even in the top 5. The ones in the top 3 are Finland, Denmark & Switzerland. Surely it's no coincidence that the countries that routinely rank high on the Happiness Index are places where ppl don't hafta worry about getting bankrupted cuz of a health crisis? And where investments in social welfare systems is higher? It's so obvious
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/happiest-countries-in-the-world
fly-
The US was #19. The first few on the list were the Scandanavian countries. I'm surprised the US was in the top 100.
mb
Yoogoo-
We are a discussion forum, not a bulletin board. Told u this b4.
mb
Greetings MB and Wafers,
MB-
I'm looking forward to reading "The Soul of Russia," MB. I will post a review of soon!
MB, Wafers-
This is America in a nutshell:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4QGSk_LOvVM
Robbie Robertson just died, age 80:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/09/arts/music/robbie-robertson-dead.html
What a song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph1GU1qQ1zQ
Jeff
Jeff-
I think "The Weight" was in the film "Easy Rider." Love it. Memories...I was living in England at the time.
mb
Hi Kev-
Sorry, cdn't run it. We are a discussion forum, not a bulletin board. Maybe re-send the link, adding a paragraph of your own thoughts on the Band. Thanks.
mb
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