Knowing that my readership spans a continuum of people, from those who acknowledge the inherent violence of government to those who do not, I strive to consistently create or present meaningful content for the entirety of this audience. My goal in doing so remains the same: to end the systematic and legitimized initiation of violence in our world (of which war is the most obvious).
The question of what means are most effective to this end has been weighing heavily on my mind in the weeks since my discharge. Despite my confidence on a few crucial points, I intend to be continually reevaluating this question as I learn more. If you have ideas, resources, or personal experiences that you think are insightful, please share them publicly via the comment feature or privately with me by email.
Of one thing I am sure, and this is why I have embedded the following video. As regards the violent initiation of force or threats thereof, I firmly believe in the narrator's conclusion, "When we truly see it, and feel it, and speak it clearly, it will end." This process began for me as I read Atlas Shrugged. My hope is that this film will similarly sharpen your own perception of reality as well as your desire to convey the truth to others.
Posts
once again, congrats on the new freedom.
ReplyDeletemy advise for the future:
get hungry & stay hungry
wish I could be more specific :)
Some need to learn from experience, others can learn vicariously. A successful method must incorporate both or determine which is necessary for each individual.
ReplyDeleteWow! BR and I actually agree on something! I would have to agree with his assessment (unless I am looking at this totally wrong... I happen to know that my sarcasm has misled many a comment... sorry BR if I am not in step with your view) I think that many soldiers join the military more to figure out who they are as people rather than because they agree with whatever military action we (America) is currently invalved in. This may account for the relitivly short terms of enlistment that many soldiers serve.
ReplyDeleteI have experianced in my life a much better understanding of how the world works since I have graduated from high school. I look back on my high school years and think "wow... was I stupid kid." Some young people go off to college, some go of and join the military, some work their asses off and try and find personal fufillment through economic will and drive, some through drugs... the list goes on and on.
BR also mentions soldiers who join because of family tradition. I can't tell you how many young men I have asked "why did you join?" and their response is, "well every man in my family has." It apparently is a point of pride with them. Sorry Dan but your idea that the public school system is fueling my morbid job doesn't quite stand up.
BR, again you have hit the nail on the head with your "manhood" comments. I wouldn't nessisarly go as far as to say violence is the American social makings of a man but facing danger certainly is. Our society cirtainly holds danger seekers as heroic icons and you had better believe that is a large ammount of recurits for the military.
I also don't think this is anything new for humanity. Warriors and the like have always been looked at as heroes (Greeks: Achilles, Ajax, Odyssus Romans: Julius Caesar, Horotius, Harminius, Lartius Japanese: Tokugawa, Miyamoto Musashi, Kurosawa Chinese/Mongols: Gingus Khan, Yue Fei, Sun Tzu...) This is nothing new.
Perhaps much of our (as humans) concept of Heroes comes from winning or at least competing in a great contest which war definately is (regardless of what moral quams you have with war it is a great contest and as a result those who excell at it tend to be recognized). BR I think you have pretty much nailed this one.
In response to Anonymous' comment... given Dan's premis that government is evil and unessisary he follows a fairly valid stream of logic when he then says that all things spawning from the government are evil and thus the conclusion that public school is evil. As a result I am sure that Dan wouldn't have too much of an issue with any of your alternative methods of teaching. You do however bring up a good point. Religion (the church) is a huge private institution that educates. Now I happen to know that Dan has some pretty serious beefs with church and thus I am interested in assertaining weather or not he would validate such an option for education assuming that his world view is in fact correct and that government is evil.