Our Elites are MIA
David Ignatius asked the question “why is an increasingly ‘connected’ world such a mess? in a February article in the NY Times. More democracy and more Globalism seem to be leading to more chaos and confusion.
Thomas Friedman argues in his book “The World is Flat that technology and more Globalism is driving the integration of the world and will lead to a better world.
Francis Fukuyama posted an essay in the New York Times Magazine, "More democracy will mean more alienation, radicalization and -- yes, unfortunately -- terrorism"?
The Middle East is turning into a cauldron of destruction and death. What the hell is going on? Where are our leaders? Are they out to lunch? Is this a beginning of a repeat of the twentieth century? Can humanity survive such a rebirth of such a century?
David Ignatius talked with a number of his contacts and formulated his answer to why is the world such a mess? His explanations are listed below:
1) As elites become connected in the world they lose their ‘home’ connection.
2) Connectedness produces local political disconnection.
3) I will add that our elites are now ‘following the money’ and the world is their ‘oyster’.
4) The Internet is a “rage enabler and reinforcer.
Ignatius concludes that “The connected world is inescapable, like the global economy itself. But if we can begin to understand how it undermines political stability -- how it can separate elites from masses, and how it can enhance rage rather than reason -- then perhaps we will have a better chance of restabilizing a very disorderly world.
Coberst concludes that we need to develop immediately a new ‘farm system’ for elite hood. There is a phrase from a popular post-WWI song that goes something like this “how ya goina keepem down on the farm after they’ve seen Parie.
Do we need a new ‘farm system’ for elite hood?
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/19/magaz ... wanted=all
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01148.html
Our Elites are MIA
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Bill Sikes
- Posts: 5515
- Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2004 2:21 am
Our Elites are MIA
coberst wrote: The Middle East is turning into a cauldron of destruction and death. What the hell is going on? Where are our leaders?
Much of the wierd language in the OP I don't understand, but the answer to this
is easy. Our "leaders" are stirring the cauldron, muttering evil incantations as
they do so.
Much of the wierd language in the OP I don't understand, but the answer to this
is easy. Our "leaders" are stirring the cauldron, muttering evil incantations as
they do so.
Our Elites are MIA
Human being's are intellectually "flawed", we have too many "design faults". Small wonder then that our behaviour and interactions with one another hasn't evolved far beyond the primal soup. As a species we haven't learned anything from past mistakes, and I doubt we will for a considerable period of time. Probably when we have caused irreparable damage.
As far as "connectedness" goes, we're no futher forward in the ability to achieving it than Homo Erectus.
Sad but true.
As far as "connectedness" goes, we're no futher forward in the ability to achieving it than Homo Erectus.
Sad but true.
Our Elites are MIA
Bill Sikes wrote: Much of the wierd language in the OP I don't understand, but the answer to this
is easy. Our "leaders" are stirring the cauldron, muttering evil incantations as
they do so.
I try not to post "wierd language" could you point out my offending language so that I might make changes in my future posts?
is easy. Our "leaders" are stirring the cauldron, muttering evil incantations as
they do so.
I try not to post "wierd language" could you point out my offending language so that I might make changes in my future posts?