Politics and Society
July 4th, 2024
Happy Fourth of July. Independence day. I don't speak to anyone, but as far as I know, not many people feel patriotic about our country. Today's just a nice day when they shoot nice fireworks.
Interacting online and reading material makes me lose faith with society. However, I visited a local sandwich shop and the workers there smiled at me like I was one of them. Somehow a small gesture goes a long way.
If everyone in society treated one another that well, I think we'd go much further. "Brothers and sisters under America." Pooey.
I won't be detailing my political views here---because even if I did, it'd be unsubstantial. I'm a moderate for what that matters.
To you, in 2000 years
Before I was born we, people of Earth, lived in a post-WW2 era with peace secured by the great nation of the USA. However, towards the end of that era the USA overstretched their military and policing powers and began to deteriorate from within. I reckon foreign powers contributed to the internal instability (if you've ever read Art of War, it'd only make sense.) Now, we're seeing that police state completely fall apart and enter a new era---one where global powers such as Russia and China begin to stretch outwards.
With Russia invading Ukraine, it's only obvious Russian botfarms have been destabilizing American politics for decades even. And, frankly, it's working. Now I see holding any political viewpoint publicly would get you flamed, assaulted, or even fired from your job. We're having our little grand old version of the Red Scare.
I think a lot of people fail to see the bigger picture here---it doesn't matter what politics or motivations you believe in. If America gets invaded and our territory is lost because of internal instability, it doesn't matter what politics or motivations you believe in. We're done for. Reaching across the aisle for compromise is the only way out of this.
China is already securing ties with Mexico and Canada. A land invasion of the USA, within the next hundred years, is very much a possibility.
The Middle East is destabilizing very quickly towards an all-out war against Israel. Maybe it'll happen, maybe not.
The future looks grim. It's a matter of when China pushes for Taiwan, how quickly they do it, and how much further they push for the Philippines.
Enjoying American Society
I do hold a very, very controversial opinion that I believe that American society started to deteriorate during the 70s. That was the beginning of when Americans started weaponizing morality and started lashing themselves.
Of course, it was for good purpose. I enjoy the rights today that would not have been possible had those movements not happened. But, it's important to recognize the consequences of fragmenting society into subcultures instead.
We did away with nationalism. We did away with race. Now we did away with sex. And finally, we are doing away with religion. What tribes do we have left? What tribes are holding America together?
Frankly, none. I can only think politics and money, but even finally now that final tribe is growing divided and shattering apart.
As Gwern puts it in his essay Melancholy of Subculture Society, everyone is a winner in their own tribe.
But I feel so disconnected from... I don't know... out there. I'm free to pursue and engage in any community I want online, but I haven't really found my place.
Taking it Easy
I think I've been too serious as of late. I think the common advice to "not care what anyone else is thinking" is going to throw the entirety of society into a dumpster fire (as of now,) but as far as life satisfaction goes it'll be fine.
I think the issue more or so lies with being neurodivergent and not fitting into common society. Or not subscribing to the same religious taste of hedonism (?) that people my age enjoy.
Maybe it's my overly moralistic and judgemental upbringing that's preventing me from enjoying life. But even so, I fail to connect with other people. I'm just so... different. It makes me feel a bit sad inside.
I tend to forget that I'm a bit eccentric. But of the greater society, I think I'd like to opt out. I still don't agree with how most people operate. I'm beginning to take a stand for myself, against society, that I am okay as I am.
Self-acceptance is a difficult concept for me... but without my parents barking at me telling me how worthless I am... I am beginning to find some form of it.
What I enjoy in life is... well... appreciating the beautiful world.
Caught up in the Abstractions Again
My friend says abstractions are all that exist in the world. I, I don't think so. I think abstractions are an overlay to our senses that interpret our perceptions and definitions. An existence without abstractions does exist out there, but maybe our subconscious is so deeply rooted?
I guess you can argue our senses are an abstraction. But children see the world "without abstraction." Or do they? They can recognize human faces and humans from as early as birth. Perhaps, are abstractions all that we have?
Culturally, we define and propogate certain modes of thinking that survival. I think memes are a good framework to think of this.
The question really is, what abstractions do I feel comfortable living with?
Or is it, what beliefs can I believe in without a doubt---with unshakeable resolve?
Strong Belief System: Strong Self-Esteem?
Perhaps the only way out of this mess, is to pick sides and believe in something with resolve.
I believe free will doesn't exist. I believe that there is no proof of a God. I believe in abstaining from deciding if God exists, I'll let a higher power decide that for me.
I believe that the government should focus on stabilizing things domestically, and pull out from being a world police. We should consolidate our wealth just as Europe did when they robbed countries of their wealth during colonialism, and just as we are to do when we robbed countries during American military-industrial imperialism.
I think a lot of people are ignorant on how much of the wealth they live on today is built on the corpses of the past. They don't appreciate that we live in a privileged era when billions of human beings have laid down their lives for them to flaunt wealth.
I do believe in morals. It's an emotion, a feeling. It's not an objective concept to me. It's entirely subjective, but it's just as real to me anyway. I do think there are appropriate ways people should interact and there are inappropriate ways people should interact. Pretending like you live a life without moral superiority is lying to yourself. (What do you think of bridal kidnappings? What do you think of murder? Not everyone on this planet is against these things you know.)
I believe the key center to life, my life in particular, is to pick the things to regret. We have little time, so you should choose wisely what to regret. I believe in an existence of enjoying the natural beauties of the world, and I believe in an existence of contributing to a civil society.
I believe in a life-affirming life. I believe in a hopeful life. I choose to see the positives of the world over the negatives, and to push to tomorrow to see something better.