Don't think this mess only in SA. I dread the upcoming US elections. I was going to vote for Trump, but every time he opens his mouth re.: demanding accolades for Covid vaccine or that he is "considering" to free Assange (he could have released him, pardon Snowden, opened JFK secret files already), or him praising speaker Johnson, I think WTH, I wait with horror Trump's VP announcement and suspect he he learned nothing. RFK Jr. seems sincere but he is a dark horse, and as for Dems, we won't even start with their craziness.
So, open a bottle of a good SA cabernet and enjoy the show :-)
Almost half of people under the age of 34 are unemployed in our country, we're the most unequal society in the world, and have one of the highest murder rates. Our problems are far worse than the USA's. But the USA's problems are special in that they cause a ripple effect on the world. In that, everyone should be interested in the health of Americans. Trump's the biggest [dangerous] joke in global politics. So easy for outsiders to see but a lesson in psychology how 40% of Americans can't. Biden clearly a criminal, and reason for us human righters to reconsider the death penalty. RFK another shill for Israeli power. Your elections are screwed. So if you're going to vote, vote in protest for someone smaller. Move the needle a breath away.
I think South Africans had a head start for a long time because the domination by anglo-europeans reduced the impact of tribal frictions. Apartheid had to end of course but, when it did, the tribalism came back in spades and that is destructive. And the colonists certainly played the tribal game to suit themselves. Perhaps the difference is that the anglo-europeans even while playing tribal games had a concept of community consciousness and what worked best for the community would generally be in the best interests of everyone. That is not an aspect of African tribalism in particular or tribalism in general.
I had more than one man say to me in Angola and then when we lived in Malawi, the same thing: You Europeans are able to work for a general community good but we Africans work for our own good, then our family, then our extended family and don't care about anything else.
India was pretty much the same because tribalism divides and is destructive not constructive. This is the corroding factor at work in Israel as well in particular and Judaism in general.
I can't buy into the generalisation of Anglo-Europeans which, for the most part, is represented by the 'liberal' DA party. For example, they fix potholes, and then advertise it well so that their failures to millions of impoverished coloured people don't count. There's more community amongst Afrikaner whites, especially in rural areas. Us English whites fell for that whole independent minded thing so we're more alone than any other tribe.
The Afrikaners were Europeans and there are cultural similarities across centuries between anglo and europeans if for no other reason than that the English were constantly invaded and colonised by the Europeans of many persuasions.
Afrikaners have community because they became a tribe in Africa. They kept themselves to themselves to a large degree, rejected the English and intermarried.
But I agree with you having spent a lot of time in South Africa I believe the worst thing the 'whites' did was fail to improve the lot and the education standards of everyone. I know they tried a bit, but not hard enough. Angry and poorly educated people are always going to be more of a problem and when people think they have no hope it gets worse.
Yes when slavery was abolished , Capitolism took it's place . Unlike slavery ,there was no need to care for thhe low wage worker's welfare.
Worker's hade to compete with each other for wages, and breeding them. Then over breeding was encouraged.
The result was wars and depression to keep the low bread population down. When overseas trade became popular the rich shared the pain through Colonelisation.
Your description of the political situation applies throughout the West. The entire western world is run by crooks, thieves liars, sociopaths and pedophiles swimming in a scummy pond of corruption and self-interest. Certainly, corruption has always been central to governing since the first cave council. But there is something very different now. It feels more systemic. Different in kind and nature. The 'HyperNormalization' video you posted recently strikes at the heart of what is going on as humans are the resource now being mined for profit for an ever-shrinking pod of the super wealthy. Be well, Mike.
It's unfortunately a cliche to say it, but our problem is in us willing to be a product being sold. We're slave labour destined to be shoppers for the corporates. It's a vicious circle of self-detriment.
Good luck, Mike. Be safe!
Thank you.
Don't think this mess only in SA. I dread the upcoming US elections. I was going to vote for Trump, but every time he opens his mouth re.: demanding accolades for Covid vaccine or that he is "considering" to free Assange (he could have released him, pardon Snowden, opened JFK secret files already), or him praising speaker Johnson, I think WTH, I wait with horror Trump's VP announcement and suspect he he learned nothing. RFK Jr. seems sincere but he is a dark horse, and as for Dems, we won't even start with their craziness.
So, open a bottle of a good SA cabernet and enjoy the show :-)
Almost half of people under the age of 34 are unemployed in our country, we're the most unequal society in the world, and have one of the highest murder rates. Our problems are far worse than the USA's. But the USA's problems are special in that they cause a ripple effect on the world. In that, everyone should be interested in the health of Americans. Trump's the biggest [dangerous] joke in global politics. So easy for outsiders to see but a lesson in psychology how 40% of Americans can't. Biden clearly a criminal, and reason for us human righters to reconsider the death penalty. RFK another shill for Israeli power. Your elections are screwed. So if you're going to vote, vote in protest for someone smaller. Move the needle a breath away.
South Africa is like other African countries - so much potential and so much corruption preventing the development of potential.
We're exceptional, and should be one of the world's wealthiest. Alas, we've been manipulated into fighting among ourselves whilst we're robbed.
I think South Africans had a head start for a long time because the domination by anglo-europeans reduced the impact of tribal frictions. Apartheid had to end of course but, when it did, the tribalism came back in spades and that is destructive. And the colonists certainly played the tribal game to suit themselves. Perhaps the difference is that the anglo-europeans even while playing tribal games had a concept of community consciousness and what worked best for the community would generally be in the best interests of everyone. That is not an aspect of African tribalism in particular or tribalism in general.
I had more than one man say to me in Angola and then when we lived in Malawi, the same thing: You Europeans are able to work for a general community good but we Africans work for our own good, then our family, then our extended family and don't care about anything else.
India was pretty much the same because tribalism divides and is destructive not constructive. This is the corroding factor at work in Israel as well in particular and Judaism in general.
I can't buy into the generalisation of Anglo-Europeans which, for the most part, is represented by the 'liberal' DA party. For example, they fix potholes, and then advertise it well so that their failures to millions of impoverished coloured people don't count. There's more community amongst Afrikaner whites, especially in rural areas. Us English whites fell for that whole independent minded thing so we're more alone than any other tribe.
The Afrikaners were Europeans and there are cultural similarities across centuries between anglo and europeans if for no other reason than that the English were constantly invaded and colonised by the Europeans of many persuasions.
Afrikaners have community because they became a tribe in Africa. They kept themselves to themselves to a large degree, rejected the English and intermarried.
But I agree with you having spent a lot of time in South Africa I believe the worst thing the 'whites' did was fail to improve the lot and the education standards of everyone. I know they tried a bit, but not hard enough. Angry and poorly educated people are always going to be more of a problem and when people think they have no hope it gets worse.
The first clue to lies and manipulation is education not being priority. Humans are our country's greatest resource, not minerals for the few.
Great narrative tonight , Mike .
So many problems in this world are the leftovers of the need for cheep labor.
Try to stay safe.
That's an important reason you mention. The sting is when the cheap labour is used to rob its own country for their foreign slave masters.
Yes when slavery was abolished , Capitolism took it's place . Unlike slavery ,there was no need to care for thhe low wage worker's welfare.
Worker's hade to compete with each other for wages, and breeding them. Then over breeding was encouraged.
The result was wars and depression to keep the low bread population down. When overseas trade became popular the rich shared the pain through Colonelisation.
Fun stuff.
Thanks Mike for such a thoughtful post
Take your political break and stay safe. At least your election is soon. We’ve got months to go with this insanity.
If one is insane, then insanity is entertainment.
Another take on the "Georgia veto over ride" linked above:
https://complexiathesinker.substack.com/p/georgia-where-latte-sipping-revolutionaries
Your description of the political situation applies throughout the West. The entire western world is run by crooks, thieves liars, sociopaths and pedophiles swimming in a scummy pond of corruption and self-interest. Certainly, corruption has always been central to governing since the first cave council. But there is something very different now. It feels more systemic. Different in kind and nature. The 'HyperNormalization' video you posted recently strikes at the heart of what is going on as humans are the resource now being mined for profit for an ever-shrinking pod of the super wealthy. Be well, Mike.
It's unfortunately a cliche to say it, but our problem is in us willing to be a product being sold. We're slave labour destined to be shoppers for the corporates. It's a vicious circle of self-detriment.
I hear you, I dip out all the time. Like Voltaire said, We must cultivate our garden. See you over in Wicked Mike's Ghosts
I need a cacti garden.
See you there.
Prickly and resilient. Good choice