Stares at the World

Category: Society

13

Society

Malala Yousafzai: A Manufactured Paragon

Even Beethoven didn’t write his first great symphony until he was in his 30s, and music is the sort of endeavour which can be focused on exclusively, it doesn’t require a breadth of life experience – just a lot of time. Politics, meanwhile, demands a wide set of experiences, a familiarity with the human condition, an awareness of your own dark nature, and a broad understanding of the various philosophies and ideologies which govern human society. There are no savants in politics; and for a teenager to be awarded this medal demeans the medal, as well as the recipient.

7

Philosophy / Society

The First Principles of Fighting Enemies Inside the Gate

The enemies of civilization only argue to create distractions. They have no honesty or integrity to their words, they’re numb to beauty, and whenever possible they resort to underhanded personal attacks. They sow the seeds of discord wherever they go, and when we fight amongst ourselves we’re doing their own work for them.

Modern Cynicism & The Death of Hope 20

Philosophy / Society

Modern Cynicism & The Death of Hope

Hope is frightening; it implies the potential for failure. Hope is demanding; it provides an objective to work towards. Hope is humbling; it makes you realize that your own weaknesses are your worst enemy. Living without Hope leads to failure, but it’s a comforting sort of failure. It’s the root of all addiction.

15

Philosophy / Society

Automated Prisons, and the Dilemma of Love

We are all prisoners of this world, all of us locked into this psychopathic trust game with one another, and the only sane answer is – each and every time – to defect, to sell out your co-conspirator, and to hope to God that they’re just a robotic simulacrum that sold you out first.

25

Society

In Praise of Anonymity

Understanding the societal-level reasons behind the decline are important, both as an intellectual exercise, and so that we can maintain our own civilized natures, despite the chaos. However, in our personal lives, all we can do is respond rationally to the system we’re in.