Michael Albert's Remembering Tomorrow, Harvard Coop (7/12)

[PurpleHoneyBear]

"For the pleasure of reading Chomsky...dubious pleasure..."

LMAO!

I'm reminded of the Bible book of Ecclesiastes, wherein the great philosopher Solomon says, "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief." So while I take a form of pleasure in reading Chomsky's work, I also find that it pains me profoundly, because while I am being intellectually stimulated, which feels good, I am also seeing the world in many more of its negative dimensions.

[dharmaatdawn]

this discussion is amazing. is all of this in his book?

[semaifirtes]

Why did he have the kids and wait until he's 40 if he's smart then? Okay okay, just kidding. Clearly he didn't have the privilege to make better decisions.

[t0kt0k]

That is a damned good point. It's so easy to believe that people are just stupid, partly because that somehow makes it okay. Like they're complicit in their own suffering. The fact is, people aren't stupid, and we all do what we can to get by. Those of us who have had a chance to break away for a moment and read a little Chomsky perhaps owe it to the rest of us who haven't had that chance to make that insight count for something.

[dharmaatdawn]

@t0kt0k

I know u posted this comment 3 years ago. I think u make a great point. it becomes rather easy to internalise our success. it becomes easy to think that I did it I worked or study hard its my accomplishment( +/- my parents). which of course its true but its only a piece of the puzzle. theres other forces that often we are not even aware about or what to admit for whatever reasons.

C.Rice was asked something like how was the influences in her life that made her educated etc

[dharmaatdawn]

@t0kt0k

she said i have to thank my parents. eventhough she grew up in South. her mother used to say to her in America U can be anything U wanna be. even a president.

it was very odd, so it was all about her and her parents