Daily Kos - Extinction, Incrementalism and the Fate of Humanity

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/7/6/882026/-Extinction,-Incrementalism-and-the-Fate-of-Humanity
Extinction, Incrementalism and the Fate of Humanity
by One Pissed Off Liberal
Extinction, Incrementalism and the Fate of Humanity
Tue Jul 06, 2010 at 10:46:05 AM PDT

skip

When it comes to doing something bold and meaningful about our dire circumstances, many have embraced the concept of incremental change only. IMHO that is only because they have been conditioned through a systematic program of propaganda and brainwashing to accept that change can only happen in tiny baby steps. Our system was intentionally designed to prevent big or rapid change because those who designed it had things pretty much the way they wanted them. This 'incremental change only' system assures that greedy rich white men will always get what they want. To accept incrementalism is to accept the status quo. "Incrementalism is all there is," said one otherwise bright kossack in a diary last night. That is the strength of propaganda and cultural conditioning. Systems that are designed can be redesigned. Real change can happen, all it takes is the will to make it - and my position is that we don't have any choice in the matter.

skip

Some see things as they are and say ‘can’t we make things just a tiny bit better.’ Some see things as they are and say ‘a tiny bit ain’t gonna get it.’ I’m amongst the latter, and that’s always pretty much been my POV, but more and more so as time goes by. It’s not like we aren’t running out of time. It’s not like the polar ice caps aren’t melting.


One of my kossack friends questioned if I meant to disparage all of the incremental change people have fought so hard for, and the answer is of course no. I don't mean to throw out the baby with the bathwater. But it's not like things have gotten steadily better in all areas of American life. In some areas perhaps but not all. In fact in can be argued that we've been sliding backwards in many of the most important areas. With the USA Patriot Act, FISA, blatant governmental support for not prosecuting high crimes at the highest levels of society, the exporting of American industry and jobs, the rewarding of criminal malfeasance in the financial industry, the prosecution of unpopular and unjust wars and all the other infringements on our rights that we are worse off than ever.


skip

Now a far as my solutions go: I'm just a cranky old hippie with a keyboard, a jailhouse philosopher with a good eye for crazy bullshit. I'm no policy wonk. I can't say with any authority what is the best way to redistribute the wealth, shift our society to non-polluting renewable energy, control population growth, rid our government of corruption, malfeasance and incompetence, etc. – only that these things all need to be done. I'm no Cassiodorus who can tell you exactly what we need to replace our hopelessly messed-up economic system with – only that it needs to be replaced. And I can't tell you precisely how to save our asses – only that they need to be saved.

This diary accurately reflects a lot of my feelings and frustration with current events. We do appear to be in a time that calls for bold actions but we constantly settle for far less from our politicians than the situations warrant. Count me in with the cranky old hippies.

Well worth reading the whole diary at the link.

[stuntcat]

1. k.

..

[blindpig]

2. Evolution is not incremental...

long periods of quiescence punctuated by periods of great change. Funny how that agrees with Marx.

Just might be a clue there.