Google "quote of the day" captures the essence of America's problems...

[BlooInBloo]

"Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe." (H.G. Wells)


That is to say:

Stupid citizens -> catastrophic governance -> stupid citizens -> ....


The GOP has a vested interest in minimizing the quality of US education, and generally making people as stupid as possible. They know perfectly well that republicans won't be elected by an intelligent electorate.

It's now gotten so far, the people are so dumb, that they willingly participate in the election of more "catastrophic governance" people, and willingly participate in their own stupidity.

Breaking this chicken-egg cycle is the REAL challenge, I think.

[Journeyman]

1. People in the 1850s were far less educated, as a whole. . .

than they are today, yet the quality of political discourse was never higher, and the impact of world revolutionary movements of 1848 is still felt today.

[BlooInBloo]

3. Simpler minds can succeed in simpler times....

There are lots of things that are true of the 1850s, which are no longer true - is that a shocker to you?

[Journeyman]

5. So you have no answer for my question? . . .

A less educated, less mobile, less advantaged populous proved itself far more capable of engaged debate (greater numbers participated in those days and the quality of political discourse -- on the whole -- was every bit as sophisticated and intense as that of today -- more so, given the stature of the participants), yet you attribute it to "simpler times" and discount the core of your original contention, that the diminished quality of today's education is at fault for the disconnect of today's citizenry.

And do tell, how were the core economic and social issues of 1848 substantially different from those of today? An illegal war of imperialist aggression that laid waste to American ideals in the deserts of the southwest . . . entrenched monarchical governments unresponsive to their citizenry . . . a brutal capitalistic system that spawned -- among other important works -- the writings of Marx and Engels . . . corporate development of pristine lands (where is our Thoreau to savage those who would destroy what must sustain us?) . . . the Second Great Awakening and the "burned over" intellectual wasteland sustained from those fundamentalist preachers -- and the rejuvenation of the human spirit brought about by the Transcendentalists and associated "humanistic" movements . . . the earth-shattering impact of Walt Whitman's odes to human understanding . . . the struggle against slavery and the sought for triumph in the most ancient cause of all, that which has been with us from the beginning and, indeed, determines the very existence of politics: the cause of freedom versus tyranny.

What do you number among the differences that cannot be accounted as simply expedients and amenities? I can think of only two.*

Oh, but I forget: Those were simpler times and those simple people could never compete with modern folk like us. We know how to flip a light switch.


*"Since Auschwitz we know what man is capable of. And since Hiroshima we know what is at stake." -Viktor Frankl

[BlooInBloo]

6. LOL! What question? Sheesh.

[Journeyman]

7. I understand what you mean about an uneducated populous. . .

n/t

[BlooInBloo]

8. populous? Sheesh. You made statements, with no question...

... then asked me about your nonexistent question... then you snark at me for asking about your nonexistent question... and your snark contains evidence of the very lack of education that was being snarked at me...

phew!

[Journeyman]

9. I'm very sorry.

When I realized your lack of reading skills kept you from understanding inferred questions from stated facts I had no idea they precluded your ability to use a dictionary. This also amptly explains your inability to discuss history or the human condition, so I won't bother you anymore.

[BlooInBloo]

10. ROFL! Now it's not a question, it's only an "inferred question"...

... what, by the way, is that? How does it differ from an "implied question"?

An "inferred question"? Inferred by *whom*? Moi? No.

:rofl:

"populous"? "amptly"? ROFL! If my literacy is in question, it's only because they closed your case yesterday.

:rofl:

[FloridaPat]

11. They didn't have TV to take up the few working hours they had outside

of work. I am beginning to think TV is responsible for an awful lot of our problems.

[Journeyman]

12. I too believe this has far more impact. . .

than the lousy education system. Whatever your deficiencies in formal education, they can be overcome and you can build upon whatever limited base you have. Hours lost to mindless pursuits, however, can never be reclaimed.

The debilitating effect of television -- indeed, of most modern entertainment: radio, sports, computers, etc -- coupled with the pervasiveness of the corporate world in people's lives (they fear becoming too politically involved, lest they "rock the boat" and anger their "corporate masters" (an entity not above blacklists and other assorted paybacks)), crushes peoples incentives to involvement.

And too, there's the propensity many have for too easy an involvement in their own lives: they feel they've done their best if they take a few moments to vote without investing the time needed to understand what they're voting about.

I believe this explains a lot of the perplexing votes for Republicans. Why do some poor and lower-middle class people, those with the least to gain from Republicans, consistently vote against their own interests and help install Republicans in office? I think in part it's because, at some early point in their lives, someone they trusted told them they should vote this way, and they've never questioned it. It's a problem far too many have in this country -- a willingness to accept "received wisdom" unquestioningly, and a fear of trusting their own minds. It may explain why no third party has made a strong showing in American politics for several generations.

With this in mind, to return to the example I gave above -- the 1850s proved a fertile time for a variety of revolutionary movements and ideals, and this despite a considerable shortage of formal educational opportunities. People took the time, however, to educate themselves, and in the realm of politics remained engaged because they saw the impact their involvement could have both on their own lives and the course of the nation. Not surprisingly, it was an era that saw several cataclysmic shifts in political alignments and the founding of a strong third party alternative, one that quickly took the place of an increasingly outmoded party.

[Drum]

2. To some degree,

That's true with lots of folks on a personal level, too. I know I've had a few stretches of time that fit Wells' description. I don't find it a surprise that our personal variances can become trends in collective issues.
In both cases, I think, courageous examples set by others can turn us around and lead to new growth. It's a pity though, that such leaders are in such short supply these days, while the opposite type seem to be involved in everything.

Great post, BlooInBloo...that quote was a nice catch too.

[BlooInBloo]

4. Google's random number generator deserves the credit :)

thanks.