Interesting. I didn't get that from reading it but I do see you point now.
REH From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ed Weick Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2012 2:14 PM To: [email protected]; 'RE-DESIGNING WORK, INCOME DISTRIBUTION, EDUCATION' Subject: Re: [Futurework] [Ottawadissenters] RE: Will it ever happen? Not quite sure of what I mean. The idea of a revolution is to transcend the miserable state a people are in and to create a much better and more egalitarian world. But does it really ever happen? The Enlightenment led to the French Revolution, huge head choppings, and the Napoleonic Wars. The Russian revolution resulted in the hugely repressive Stalinist state. The American Revolution has resulted in the 99% vs. the 1%. The ideals of Chairman Mao have led to repressive state capitalism. What I'm trying to say is what John Gray said far better than I could in his "Black Mass" -- revolutionary ideals never turn out the way they were supposed to, and do be careful what you wish for. What, for example, should the 99% vs. the 1% result in? Even if major reforms were instituted, it would probably not go much further than 98% vs. 2%. A happy 100% egalitarian world is a complete fantasy. The reason I used a quote from the 1970's and one from this year is to demonstrate that things haven't really changed very much. It was hippies then, occupiers now. Yours from the dark side, Ed ----- Original Message ----- From: Arthur Cordell <mailto:[email protected]> To: 'RE-DESIGNING WORK, INCOME DISTRIBUTION, EDUCATION' <mailto:[email protected]> ; [email protected] Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2012 1:09 PM Subject: [Ottawadissenters] RE: [Futurework] Will it ever happen? Not to be too trite, but what do you mean by "will anything ever really happen?" From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ed Weick Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2012 12:43 PM To: 'RE-DESIGNING WORK, INCOME DISTRIBUTION, EDUCATION'; [email protected] Subject: [Futurework] Will it ever happen? A couple of quotes: THE REVOLUTION of the twentieth century will take place in the United States. It is only there that it can happen. And it has already begun. 'Whether or not that revolution spreads to the rest of the world depends on whether or not it succeeds first in America. I am not unaware of the shock and incredulity such statements may cause at every level of the European Left and among the nations of the Third World. I know it is difficult to believe that America-the fatherland of imperialism, the power responsible for the war in Vietnam, the nation of Joe McCarthy's witch hunts, the exploiter of the world's natural resources-is, or could become, the cradle of revolution. (Jean Francois Revel, Without Marx or Jesus, the new American revolution has begun, 1970) The Occupy movements are the physical embodiment of hope. They returned us to a world where empathy is a primary attribute. They defied the profit-driven hierarchical structures of corporate capitalism. They know hope has a cost, that it is not easy or comfortable, that it requires self-sacrifice and discomfort and finally faith. In Zuccotti Park and throughout the they slept on concrete every night. Their clothes were soiled. They ate more bagels and peanut butter than they ever thought possible. They tasted fear, were beaten, went to jail, were blinded by pepper spray, cried, hugged each laughed, sung, talked too long in general assemblies, saw their chants drift upward to the office towers above them, wondered if it is worth it, if anyone cared if they would win. (Chris Hedges and Joe Sacco, Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt, 2012) A question: Hope does seem to spring eternal in the revolutionary breast, but will anything ever really happen? 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