Got Dolt?

You know what? It's not Orwellian. It's not a conspiracy of the Illuminati. It's not even Operation Northwoods or Halliburton or The Carlyle Group or Poppy weeping because all along it should have been the smart one, Jeb. It's none of the things that make the colossal failure that is Bush Co. sexy.

It's just plain, human idiocy.

That, and the fact that humans by nature flock, follow, fear and fuck up. They's just incapable of rising to the heights of human conscientious endeavor the few clearheaded philosophers and unobstructed bystanders have articulated over the centuries.

Why else would moments of genuine cultural enlightenment be so few and far between? Why else would humanity regularly ascribe elements of dramatic structure to behavior that is as common among ants as it is among people? For all our labyrinthine conceptualizing, might even the most enticing conspiracy theories be just another belch of the biological bouillabaisse that constitutes human interaction? It must be thus, else why would supposedly sentient, moral, religious, free-thinking people stand by while blatant, broad-stroked flimflammery goes on before our eyes? Or does this brilliant thesis apply only to America, a throwback encased in amber waves of grain, a plesiosaur stuck in an hermetically sealed loch, doomed (or delighted) to procreate with itself over and over until the sense is bred out of it becoming a wall-eyed, muscle bound, socially clumsy schmuck? Well? Anyone? Mother?

It is maddening to try and gain alternatives to the relentlessly lame news cycle that feed us the same goddamn stories, the same worms mashed up, regurgitated, mashed up, regurgitated. And damned if our beaks ain't open, our tongues twitching. Any culture that can pride itself on the obsolescence and disposability of virtually anything manufactured and consumed could surely apply the same strategy to its news. Of all the things that should evolve, it's that. But it doesn't. Reverend Wright? Still? Really? Seriously, now. Really???

I can't wait to read the umbrage-laden comments, the "I guess the people fighting and dying in Iraq are wall-eyed, muscle bound schmucks, eh, liberal pantywaist/actor/thesaurus-hugger?" Because then I'll know that I am just one among the colony, spurting pheromones at my fellow drones, carrying leaf cuttings and bits of dismembered praying mantis thorax, parasitizing fungi. And maybe someday being devoured by the queen!

I'll know that no amount of humility, self-awareness, introspection, historical precedent, deductive reasoning, and whatever the hell else has ever been suggested by the freaks and geeks over the centuries and whose postulations were viewed as heresy will break the pattern of intellectual entropy.

And we all know who's behind that.

Comments

[bethinCary]

I love your posts Steven!

You're like a cross between Shakespeare and a horror movie writer..
Everything I want to say about what is wrong, how evil the WH is, and stupid media..

The most creative words I could come up with these past few weeks for the msm or news stories in general have been :crap,shit, and bullshit..

So thanks--your analogies are much better.

[Computer Geek]

So the dilemma is this: what to do? Living in and among the society of America as it is makes us all co-conspirators as long as we don't have solutions. The true test of any great thought is the solution to the original problem. How do we as thinkers live in this collection of ants that have limited reasoning ability? We must also consider that humilty is a worthwhile endeavor. Haughtiness ends up making those without the ability to reason to further retreat into their mental cave. I for one have chosen solitude. I will interact when needed and pretty much keep to myself at other times. I have concluded that the best way for me to continue the agenda of true reasoning is to educate at every opportunity without the hope that it will actually make a difference (cynical as that may sound). Otherwise, the frustration becomes unbearable. I am quite sure that those that interact with me think that I am 'out there' but I can't let that dissuade me.

However, it is a comfort to know that I am not alone in my despair...

[4U2consider]

"I'll know that no amount ¦ will break the pattern of intellectual entropy.

And we all know who's behind that."


I have a confession to make: I have no idea who"s behind the pattern of intellectual entropy. (Omigod... It"s not me, is it?!) Everyone else seems to have it figured out. If someone would please clarify things in a reply to this post, I promise to vote for Hillary in the March Democratic Primary in Indiana. (Yes, I was going to, regardless. But be kind to me anyway - I live in a red state!)

[4U2consider]

I can think of three reasons for no response: (1) I"m too late reading/posting and everyone"s moved on. (2) No one wants to tap a few keys to be of assistance to this Hillary supporter. (3) No one else knows the answer to my question either. I'm not saying which reason I'm leaning toward (but I might be laughing).

[Garretto]

Steve ---you've done it again! Funny, scathing and RIGHT!
Damn I enjoy your 'thesauraus hugging' results! Keep it coming!

[Lemurfly]

Misanthropic, cynical, probably true. A "belch of the biological boulliabaisse?" A "plesiosaur stuck in a hermetically sealed loch?" Lovely, crazy use of language; maybe draws a bit too much attention to itself. Keep writing, sir, but eschew obfuscation.

[MNinWI]

But isn't his obfuscation the mental challenge? For those references not understood, go seek the answer and those who are too lazy or stupid to do that, ef 'em-don't need them.
As usual Steven has mystified us with his mind. Great post.
I have heard of a theory that humans are the fungus of the earth. We possess the same destructive and self-destructive traits. Creepy theory because it could be right.

[TakeNoNeoConPrisoners]

Steven. I read you blogs quite often and agree with your assessments as dark as they often are but true. Two things I might add. One, the corporatists that own our gov't are not idiots. They know exactly what they are doing to take power and control of America for themselves. They use every tool at their disposal to accomplish that feat and they are doing quite well b/c they are relentless and unscrupolous. Two, the sheeple that vote for the corporatist politicians are enablers and perhaps fools not necessarily idiots b/c they believe the crap they are being sold by the corporatists medicine men. I know lots of well educated, multi-degree-ed professionals that buy their crap hook line and sinker. They are not idiots. They are mislead and naive and foolish. Finally, I think our expections about the goodness in men are unrealistic. While one cannot deny that there are many good people, the old saying that it only takes one rotten apple to spoil the barrel prevails. The few, the powerfiul, the fascist corporatists spoil America. The other apples in that barrel are infected by their disease and
it cannot be prevented at least not yet. Perhaps in time if it is not too late, the other apples will throw the bad apples out of the barrel and reason and goodness would prevail. But alas, not in our lifetime.

[vnetuolsbm]

TakeNoNeoConPrisoners,

I agree with what you said almost completely, however, I do think idiocy tends to find its way in to algorithm of our administration every once in a while. You can't deny that some of these people, however intelligent they might seem in their abuse of capitolism, have their moments of pure idiotic chaos. It utterly amazes how stupid it is that these fear mongers think for themselves and are willing to destroy every resource and fall-back that we have for their own gains. I mean, when you look to the fact that the future is on our doorstep, it becomes apparant that it is quite stupid of them. But then again, we must throw a dog a bone and if I would dissent from both you and Steven for a sentence, I would say that in all the mistakes that these greedy, capitolist are doing, they are opening to the path to a better future; one in which we'll hopefully have learned from their mistakes and never commit them again. But maybe all is lost. Who knows?

[zjr909]

I used to think the blogs were quite unique. Now I realize: just as the Democrats are Republican lite, so too are the blogs MSM lite. They've developed an audience, attracted advertisers, become way too self-important. They're just one step away from being an establishment adjunct. They will have no truck with anything outside the pale of establishment dogma. They all claim to be opposed to the Iraqi war, and oh so scandalized by the assaults on the Constitution. But they absolutely refuse to even consider attacking the base on which all that's happened in the past seven and a half years sits - the gift that keeps on giving, long after the last piece of scrap has been ushered away from public view. The sacred idol that none may hurl stones at. As far as I'm concerned, they're all just whistling past the graveyard.

[puunjab]

You are a good actor and I like your politics. We could have a beer.

The only time I get pissed by celebrities is when they get the holier than though attitude. Think Tom Cruise and his Scientology/Psychology rants. Or if they think their opinion is somehow more valid because they are famous.

You write what you feel with no condescension. So if someone tells you to STFU cause you are a celebrity, then they are just a dick.

If you ever come down to San Diego and you like Jam Band music, come to Winston's in Ocean Beach. I'll buy you a round. I record a lot of shows there.

Killer Acid Jazz show I taped there. Enjoy that one on me.
http://www.archive.org/details/pocket2007-09-30.dsbd.flac24

[NoFactsJustTruth]

Ahhh, but not completely devoured, Steven, 'colony drones' have likely lost their heads already, anyway. So would one REALLY notice if it's then bitten off and swallowed? Perhaps not...

[Dianora]

I love you.

[Doug Watt]

Great post, you put my mood into words.

[evolveordie]

I like your questioning bordering on despair and share it. Today I think that we (human Americans) face 2 different levels of challenges. First, we share with everyone else the challenge of species survival as our challenges keep increasing. Now we have the environment to add to our political, economic and social conflicts. And while humanity has potential, we also generally overestimate (hubristically) our survival potential as a species.
Second, as Americans, we are pretty far along the historical path of declining empires, and may in fact have passed the point of no return. The large expenditures on an overextended military infrastructure, stupid strategic overreach, debtor society, etc. are the classic symptoms of empire in decline. So we will probably need to be negotiating this dynamic in addition to the larger species challenges. The thing that gives me some hope is the potential for our children and future generations to make much larger and quicker leaps than we boomers. And I don't completely sell ourselves short. We did make some progress. But re-electing George W. in 2004 kind of was the nail in the coffin in my opinion for where the boomers have ended up.

[knighthowl]

I am sorry, we did not "re-elect" Bush in 2004. To re-elect would require that he was first elected. He was not. In addition, I am not persuaded that he was elected in 2004. The irregularities in Ohio were too widespread. Kerry should have insisted on a recount.

[indypete]

This is why we'll probably get McCain in the next round.... the fixing of elections gets easier as the power multiplies. Now with the paperless machines dominating the system, we'll get whoever the software is told to give us.

[CMLA]

Great post Steven ,thank you

[Purple Girl]

I take great pride in being characterized as 'Hard to keep on the Porch' .I thank my rather conventional friend a-on the back and say" thanks, you flatter me so" and he shakes his head. :)
I actually enjoy and take even more satisfaction when some one must resort to calling me a Bitch' I hit a nerve, I derailed theri arguement. I then inform them - "No I graduated from a B to a C long ago- and the biggest C you'll ever meet" and I smile.
I have always been the one to push a little bit more- in an unexpected direction. My social group was not even conventional- a group of guys, still friends for about 30 yrs. And they still jsut shake their hands (and actually a agree at times) and call me by my nickname. I was amongst friends who were far more Politiaclly & social passive than I and far less outspoken- Thanks for the equal time on the Floor Guys. I grew up in a Democracy on numerous levels- but I had to fight for it and prove myself , just as they all did. God Bless AmericaNs, we are at heart 'Unconventional"

[LiberalMathProfessor]

Since 1996, when I first read Carl Sagan's "The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a candle in the dark," I've thought that it could be considered required reading for all human beings. I've read it again several times and reach the same conclusions: We will become what we can when we are taught skepticism as a way of life, and we interact as "scientists" who want good, hard proof of things, not just somebody's say-so. Look at all the fools who have fallen for all the lies and crap, and will continue to do so, when all it would take to deter the greedster charlatans would be to ask for some evidence, and let the asker know the difference between evidence and hypothesis, and between hypothesis and mere assertion. Teach our children how to detect crap. But I am afraid that it will take some centuries for these ideas to take hold, if ever, due to the high dollar religion industry and the high dollar politics industry and the high dollar commercial industries who need the participation of fools for their continuation. Steven, you've hit some sort of nail on the head, and it is depressing to know the nail is there, it seems rust-proof, is so obvious, and so well stuck at the heart of what we sadly have become: obsessed gadgeteers and silly fools who believe just about any damned thing we are told, so long as we don't have to work or think very hard.

[dgscol]

The Politico-Scientific culture today is not part of the light, either. I was told in 5th grade, not to believe things I hear unless I hear it from more than one source, and from people I can trust.

I am afraid idiocy is endemic to mankind, and it constantly encroaches, and one must fend it off to retain one's sanity. I have tried calling people idiots - it is no cure.

[NewAmericanCenturySucks]

Cultural idiocy - which strikes the attention span, and renders victims incapable of non-linear, open-minded, or long-term thinking - is contagious, and has spread to every part of the globe that has a television set, through which all food-for-thought is pre-chewed.

National idiocy - which strikes the patriotic nerve, and leaves victims blind to their own collective sins and shortcomings - is hereditary, and concentrates only in nations prone to intellectual inbreeding.

For Americans seeking treatment: relative to its U.S. counterpart, the Canadian news cycle covers events from a broader perspective, and in considerably more depth. Consider inoculating yourself periodically with a healthy dose of news from abroad.

For idiots seeking translation: more boring and less American. Click.

[jimmyaj]

"Cultural Idiocy". Wait till the price of gasoline drives up the cost of NASCAR tickets...

[joebaggadonuts]

Thanks for the taxonomy, NewACS.

[stellanoir]

but what about the bats ?

[Herrington]

Have you seen the giant ones?

[wisechild]

Another fine post, sir.

We the people, we follow and we give up. We have seen a great cessation in our collective unconsious, our souls cry out but we remain inert. We are receding.

Spoon feeding seems to be how we want things. Information moves so fast, digest it for me then spit up all over me so I might partake some, if not all. Let others choose.

I am disillusioned and wonder where are the free thinkers? Who seeks information and analyzes it, wants answers, demand truth, makes up their own minds?

when will the dumbing down cease to comfort the masses. why do labels always stick?

It is easy to be relieved of thought. No brains, no headache I guess~

It is uplifting to read posts like these because I am reminded that this veil of deception will be lifting and we will awake from a slumber and take back our lives, our thoughts and desire more from ourselves and those who govern and those who bring us 'the news'.

It is long overdue...

[laylahb]

When we set the bar so low, where it's nearly touching the ground, what do we expect?

[JoDeeVa]

~Stepford Citizens...

~Ignorance is Bliss!

~Survival of the Fittest?

"When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him." (Thoughts on Various Subjects, Moral and Diverting/ Jonathan Swift)

[hiprogloho]

This was easily the most intellectually engaging and thought provoking rant ever at Huff Post. Just keep in mind that chaos in humanity rules because media masters are like thought control police who use spin to polarize the masses and sell the evil might makes right agenda of top 1 percenters.

However, within the next century God and religion will be disproven, eternal life will be possible via biogenetic engineering and selfishness, greed, hate and war will be obsolete. Thus the utopia John Lennon sang about in Imagine is within reach. Of course, human predators among us prevent this.

But we know who they are...

[joebaggadonuts]

Idiocy is a handle on the public back for the well informed to grab, as a mother cat grabs the back of the kitten's little neck to put them back in the nest until they are big enough to fend for themselves. The well informed understand how to take advantage of this handle, a la Frank Luntz' Words That Work. That he aligned himself mostly for lucre with the right is America's great tragedy. The Contract With America turned out to be a Contract On America. There are the hit men and the Dons. All others are product to be milked for money. (Pargraph) Some voices rise in protest. Thank you for your singularly intelligent one.

[dgscol]

Am I the problem? I hope not. I have been passive in this, during the loss of our liberty and our Republic. I would not expect the media to be helpful, although they might join in once things got going. What we need is a rogue, mutant truck driver, or something like that, to spur us on.

[MNinWI]

Yes.

[nolabels]

Would Reading Rainbow be popular today (or am I crazy for thinking it was popular when I was young)?

[BlueBoomer]

Steven,

I just finished a post with some fulleome "f" alliterations...aren't they FUN?!?

Here's mine, with a plethora of "p's" for good measure:

Wrong Rev. Wright is a prancing, plate-passing, pulpit-pounding preachifyer, that I cannot understand Barak Obama sitting still for for 20 years.

He uses the time-honored speech cadence technique (sometimes employed by Senator Obama also, btw), which foments a fervor within the flock, that when reaching a final fevered pitch can fool folks into feeling and believing almost anything, even things they would not otherwise fathom... And it is my fear that all of the fawning over Senator Obama by the media early in this campaign has figured into his feeling that he can be false or less than factual* , and thereby fake out and fool even his most faithful followers, or forgiven if found out.

* He has repeatedly called HRC out on her Iran Senate Resolution vote, which would suggest that he had voted the opposite (correct) way, WHEN IN FACT HE DID NOT SHOW UP TO VOTE ON IT AT ALL.

Fomented Fervor Fans The Flames, but Forgets The Facts.

Of course, our other choices are HRC, Queen of Hyperbole, and McCain the Delusional.

SNAFU (Situation Now All F*cked Up)

WAAAAH!