Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin was to have said “I’d rather be a pessimist because then I can only be pleasantly surprised.” but also said “I’m more optimistic than pessimistic. Or perhaps I’m an optimistic pessimist — prepare for the worst, but when the very worst doesn’t happen, I’m pleasantly surprised.”I like listening to music of the 1950s and early 1960s. Even some from the 1970s. For one thing I can understand the lyrics and it’s easy to sing along with. Another thing is that the music was optimistic in it’s message, even the most downer lyric had some positive message. The whole...…Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin was to have said “I’d rather be a pessimist because then I can only be pleasantly surprised.” but also said “I’m more optimistic than pessimistic. Or perhaps I’m an optimistic pessimist — prepare for the worst, but when the very worst doesn’t happen, I’m pleasantly surprised.”I like listening to music of the 1950s and early 1960s. Even some from the 1970s. For one thing I can understand the lyrics and it’s easy to sing along with. Another thing is that the music was optimistic in it’s message, even the most downer lyric had some positive message. The whole...WW…

How exactly has American society subdued young Americans?1. Student-Loan Debt: Large debt—and the fear it creates—is a pacifying force.Today in the United States, two-thirds of graduating seniors at four-year colleges have student-loan debt, including over 62 percent of public university graduates. While average undergraduate debt is close to $25,000, I increasingly talk to college graduates with closer to $100,000 in student-loan debt.When you are in hock up to your eyeballs, it is very difficult to rationalize taking part in anything that might keep you from getting a job. This is...…How exactly has American society subdued young Americans?1. Student-Loan Debt: Large debt—and the fear it creates—is a pacifying force.Today in the United States, two-thirds of graduating seniors at four-year colleges have student-loan debt, including over 62 percent of public university graduates. While average undergraduate debt is close to $25,000, I increasingly talk to college graduates with closer to $100,000 in student-loan debt.When you are in hock up to your eyeballs, it is very difficult to rationalize taking part in anything that might keep you from getting a job. This is...WW…

“Orwell was wrong. Huxley…now there’s a prophet for you.”   AnonymousPepe Escobar gave a lecture at the 13th Seminary of Political Solidarity Don Juan Chavez in memoriam at the University of Zaragoza, Spain. Part of which has been reproduce in and .   A fairly scathing taking of world civilization or brutal reality check – depending on ones point of view.  Dealing with how “Casino capitalism – aka turbocharged neoliberalism – is ruthlessly destroying the last vestiges of the welfare state and the egalitarian consensus in the industrialized West”  Where –And that...…“Orwell was wrong. Huxley…now there’s a prophet for you.”   AnonymousPepe Escobar gave a lecture at the 13th Seminary of Political Solidarity Don Juan Chavez in memoriam at the University of Zaragoza, Spain. Part of which has been reproduce in and .   A fairly scathing taking of world civilization or brutal reality check – depending on ones point of view.  Dealing with how “Casino capitalism – aka turbocharged neoliberalism – is ruthlessly destroying the last vestiges of the welfare state and the egalitarian consensus in the industrialized West”  Where –And that...WW…

New Facebook smear button! – Todd Barnard /flickr creative commons: I’m a CEA agent.: [rises from desk, walks over to read ID card] You ARE a CEA agent. And you really did kill someone!: Ahhummm.: Fascinating, Don… I suppose it’s the conditioning of motion pictures, or television, or maybe it’s just it’s the times we live in, but… killing is serious business, yet this little card makes it somehow less shocking… acceptable in a way! You mean to say you can actually legally kill someone?: Yeah, and it bothers me sometimes that I don’t feel guilty about it. Don’t you think that’s psychotic...…New Facebook smear button! – Todd Barnard /flickr creative commons: I’m a CEA agent.: [rises from desk, walks over to read ID card] You ARE a CEA agent. And you really did kill someone!: Ahhummm.: Fascinating, Don… I suppose it’s the conditioning of motion pictures, or television, or maybe it’s just it’s the times we live in, but… killing is serious business, yet this little card makes it somehow less shocking… acceptable in a way! You mean to say you can actually legally kill someone?: Yeah, and it bothers me sometimes that I don’t feel guilty about it. Don’t you think that’s psychotic...WW…