lets be generous 10 to 2 odds seemingly means that 8 out of ten who get in the game will loose - that is the reason I used the word most (the largest amount)
On Sat, Aug 18, 2012 at 4:12 PM, saul ostrow <[email protected]> wrote: > One I guest may generality extends to the rest of the world - and I think > that the logic of capital is punitive - or at least the Darwinistic version > that has developed in the Protestant world - in which grace is measured by > wealth > > > On Sat, Aug 18, 2012 at 3:10 PM, <[email protected]> wrote: > >> In a message dated 8/18/12 1:25:45 PM, [email protected] writes: >> >> >> > I would like to point out that we are not all created equal and that >> most >> > of us are further penalized for not only race, gender, and class but >> also >> > for education and ability - seemingly the deck is stacked against most >> of >> > us >> > >> 'Penalized' is the wrong word. >> >> I'd suggest that 'restricted' might be better here, but even that is too >> gloomy, too focussed on the morose possibilities in life. Freud had an >> interesting phrase: "Anatomy is destiny." I won't try to grapple with >> what he >> had >> in mind in the essay where the phrase appears, because he too focusses on >> the >> bleak. >> >> The fact is we can also be ADVANTAGED by anatomy. We see that regularly in >> great athletes. We see the advantages of an attractive appearance, a >> strong >> immune system, of stamina mental and physical. The many aspects of high >> intelligence are the lucky advantages of anatomy within our skulls. >> >> Don't reply by pointing out that many athletes, entertainers, and smart, >> healthy, rich folks have been "unhappy". That would trend toward saying >> none >> of us has a chance to be contented. And it would be as unconvincing a >> response as asserting that no black female born into a poor family has >> ever >> eventually led a satisfying "happy" life. >> >> The sweeping "seemingly the deck is stacked against most of us" is too >> morbid a generalization. And, without qualification it's useless. It >> becomes >> useful for many when it's modified to something like "seemingly the >> deck is >> stacked against most of those who elect to forego higher education". There >> are many things that are beyond our electing for ourselves -- being >> taller, >> smarter, impervious to germs. But some things yield to effort, and to >> abandon >> effort because of a belief "the cards are stacked against me" is >> self-confirming pessimism. >> >> > > > -- > S a u l O s t r o w > > > *Critical Voices* > 21STREETPROJECTS > 162 West 21 St > NYC, NY 10011 > [email protected] > > > > -- S a u l O s t r o w *Critical Voices* 21STREETPROJECTS 162 West 21 St NYC, NY 10011 [email protected]
