Spiritual Journal, 3/4/02

[novapsyche]

1:18 p.m.

To solve America's impending doom, we need to solve the 1984 problem. How can we escape a totalitarian democratic government?

We were in a Brave New World era (during the 1940s-1960s), but are heading dead smack into 1984.

My SO and I haven't come to an opinion about the 1984 syndrome. We don't know how a democratic populace could voluntarily undergo a revolution against an ultra-conservative capitalistic republic.

There has to be a solution, though. I feel it in my bones. Just need to figure out what parameters exist, how social groups react to crucial, acute political and cultural change.

Comments

[neusker.livejournal.com]

I'm right next to you! A revolution is needed.

[xiombarg.livejournal.com]

I'm not so convinced a revolution is needed. A lot of people are keeping an eye on the Shrub. They're quiet right now, but their voices grow as September 11 fades further and further into the past. The Shrub cannot ride that wave forever: It didn't work for his daddy with the Gulf War, and it won't work here. Give it time, and keep an ear open. Know who your allies are for when the right time comes.

Ways out..

[hozed.livejournal.com]

First, I want to note that as technology advances, the ability to 'destroy the world' will come to smaller and smaller groups. (Right now nation-states have the ability to effectively destroy the world with nuclear weapons). Eventually, we will reach a point where a single individual, with proper education, training, and intelligence, will be able to 'push a button' so to speak, and cause some type of world-ending scenario.

I think there are two resonable solutions to this problem. One, obviously, is 1984.. tight totalitarian government control.

The second, and, I think, possibly more risky solution is one in which I sort of came up with after reading Stranger in a Strange Land. This involves ensureing that anyone with the capability to destroy the world has deep emotional connections to enough others, and to life itself, that they will never *want* to do so, even in their darkest depression. I suppose a good example of this would be my 2 week old son.. while holding him, I have the physical strength, and knowledge to be able to snap his neck. But this is something I even have a hard time visuallizing doing. I can visuallize what to do, but (and I can't express this well enough), it is simply *impossible* for me to do so. I find I have to concentrate to even think about it, as it is such a foreign idea.

We can't really have a real 'violent' revolution anymore anyway, due to technology.. we are all too interconnected and dependent on one another, and frankly, if the government were to find itself seriously threatened, could nuke a few select 'rebel' cities, and that would be the end of it.

There is nothing preventing a revolution from occuring with capital, however (human, intellectual, and financial capital). And capitalists are renowned for their greed and short-sightedness. One must simple provide the proper conditions, and that greed will do all the 'dirty' work for you. The revolution, if anyone actually notices it as such, will be fought with information, ideas, and an army of entrepreneurs. (And no, the revolution will not be televised)