Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
The way forward, it is increasingly clear, will be largely determined by the outcome of a political struggle between two post-globalization camps: fascists and democratic socialists.
Certain stories recur in the history of humanity – and one of the most dramatic and traumatic is that of hubris. Hubris is a drama brought about by actions motivated by excessive pride – for example the overestimation by leaders – and the society or institutions in their charge – of their power.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will end food and water aid to Puerto Rico despite the island’s ongoing struggles, NPR reported on Monday. Officials have argued that the immediate humanitarian crisis following Hurricane Maria has ended. Puerto Ricans might contest that assertion.
The fact that one narrowly defined aspect of the universe seems to behave like a machine, though, does not prove that the universe is a machine, any more than the fact that one machine happens to look like a purple dinosaur proves that all machines are purple dinosaurs.
Bail-outs are out and bail-ins are in, the fast-track method for triaging the early "losers" from the collapse of industrial civilization.
The third stage of the process of collapse, following what I’ve called the eras of pretense and impact, is the era of response
The era of impact is the point at which it becomes clear to most people that something has gone wrong with the most basic narratives of a society…
Crises are essential to the reproduction of capitalism.
