PREAMBLE
We are continually bombarded with selective information designed to shape our behavior. Sometimes we are bombarded with flat out lies. But much more often the main tool of manipulation is the omission of relevant facts, or the inclusion of unrepresentative anecdotes, and drowning the relevant facts in a sea of irrelevancies, so we lose sight of what is important.
All too often, our information sources provide a huge flood of material, gobs of detailed undigested information without historical context, not helpful in accurately understanding what is happening in the world or in making decisions — such as which party to vote for.
Education should cultivate and strengthen and double down our capacity to critically assess information and more or less accurately sort it into “true” / “maybe true” / “untrue”. You can’t totally trust anyone, because sometimes people who try hard to be truthful and honest get the wrong end of the stick and believe and propagate lies. But on the other hand it is deeply corrosive and isolating and alienating to trust no one. In my experience there are a lot of good people out there, some believing some ridiculous things, but fundamentally good hearted and well motivated. Worth listening to. Critically. So keep on listening. And thinking.
I keep running into information from sources I trust that freaks me out and blows my mind. In our galaxy, millions of stars ? In the universe, millions of galaxies ? Ouch. It hurts my head to try to even think about it.
We have a pretty piss poor mainstream news media, but we do have access to a very rich source of information, namely books. But books vary even more than human beings do. Some are rational, accurate, provide rock solid information, written by people who value truth above all. Others are attempts to manipulate through selective presentation of facts,
For the friend / partner / sibling/ relative / teenager who has everything….. a book ! or better yet… a stocking full of books !! That I believe to contain truth and enlightenment...
RECOMMENDED
[1] How to improve the economy
Robert B. Reich, “AfterShock: The Next Economy & America’s Future”. Reich is, along with Paul Krugman and Joseph Stiglitz, one of America’s best and most articulate progressive economists, now located at UC Berkeley. See Professor Reich’s videos on U-Tube, including his devastating critique of the Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Also, for laughs as well as further enlightenment, read “Locked in The Cabinet”, his account of his period as Labor Secretary during the Clinton Administration.
Robert H. Girling, “The Good Company: Compassionate Companies That are Changing the World”. If Girling’s advice were followed, the workplace in the United States would be a much nicer, kinder, gentler, and more productive place, instead of the cesspit that it is for all too many people. Capitalism does not have to be cruel.
[2] Why Republican politicians should not be elected
Some Kossacks may take special pains to avoid Republicans, but many of us have close relatives who vote for the Greedy Old Party, as well as friends and co-workers. The following readings are recommended as providing persuasive arguments why Republican ideology and Republican practice are damaging to the country, to persuade Republican voters to abandon the party of Bush, Romney, Ryan, Rubio, Cruz, Kasich and Trump, LLC.
David Cay Johnston, “Free Lunch: How The Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves At Government Expense (And Stick You With The Bill)”. This book contains information that should pry quite a few people away from the Republican party.
Chapter 1 tells how lobbyists fashion bounties tailor-made for the companies they represent. It also contains an extremely illuminating examination of the writings of Adam Smith, who conservatives love to quote as a primary justification for unfettered free enterprise (theory of the Invisible Hand of competition), and shows that Smith considered this to be a special case, and was absolutely aware that there is an ever present danger of “rent seekers” who divert excessive portions of the economic pie into their own pockets, and prevent economies from fairly and properly benefiting the majority of the population.
Nomi Prins, “Jacked: How ‘Conservatives’ Are Picking Your Pocket”. This is a very short but punchy little book that takes vicious and accurate swipes at deficiencies in our financial services industry. Ms. Prins knows what she is talking about having previously worked for Goldman Sachs and several other emporiums of finance. She also wrote a much longer book, very much worth reading, titled “Other People’s Money: the corporate mugging of America”, that William Greider calls “a great crime story in which the culprits get away with larceny on an epic scale”.
Thomas Frank, “The Wrecking Crew: How Conservatives Ruined Government, Enriched Themselves, And Beggared The Nation.” The title excellently summarizes the book.
[3] Better understanding the origins of the current terrorist threat
“The 9/11 Commission Report” chaired by Governor Tom Kean (R-NJ) and Congressman Lee Hamilton (D-ID). This is the truth (or very close to it) about 9/11, hidden in plain sight. So few people have read this book. It tells exactly why the 9/11 attack occurred and traces our battle with terrorism from the beginning in 1976. Do not rely on secondary sources. Read the book itself. Start with pages 145-147.
“Imperial Hubris: Why The West Is Losing the War on Terror”, by “Anonymous” (AKA Michael Scheuer). This book was published in 2006. But it still is very very relevant. Mr. Scheuer is a former CIA employee. According to the author, the greatest danger for Americans confronting the radical Islamist threat is to believe that Muslims attack us for what we are and what we think rather than for what we do. He outlines what we are doing that offends the Muslim world, and says that if we keep on doing it, it will alienate more and more Muslims.
“Islam”, by Karen Armstrong. This short book by a former British Roman Catholic nun briefly summarizes the complexities of Islam, how it started and why it started and the myriad ways in which it sometimes has been hijacked by opportunists. A fair and enlightening assessment of one of the world’s most important religions. I have worked for several international organizations, and have had a number of Muslim friends and colleagues, and in my experience they are a pleasure to be with -— usually direct, truthful, very courteous and considerate. In my younger days I dated a Muslim co-worker, but she made it very clear she required a ring on her finger before we … umm… and so I realized she was a bit too traditional for me … in several other ways too. But she was really a good person and looking back I think maybe I could have been very happy with her had we stuck together.
In my personal experience, which has been limited to highly educated Muslims, true Muslims are kind, ethical and very very honest — but can become very angry when messed around with — read Michael Scheuer’s book and see why we are pissing them off.