Stray thought between pictures
George Soros did an interview on my local Pacifica station, he has a speech here tomorrow, and in it, he said something I can't get out of my head.
Soros theorized that one of the reasons for the deep personal effectiveness of the fear reaction even now around 9-11 is that it exploits a flaw in American culture by tapping into the "inability to properly face death," and that the concept of a suicide bomber is so alien that it cedes the mental ground to the enemy in a way.
That is why Americans turned unquestioningly to Bush, because he promised to be tougher than the terrorists when we thought that we weren't.
I don't know if I agree, but I found it interesting.
Soros theorized that one of the reasons for the deep personal effectiveness of the fear reaction even now around 9-11 is that it exploits a flaw in American culture by tapping into the "inability to properly face death," and that the concept of a suicide bomber is so alien that it cedes the mental ground to the enemy in a way.
That is why Americans turned unquestioningly to Bush, because he promised to be tougher than the terrorists when we thought that we weren't.
I don't know if I agree, but I found it interesting.
posted by mikevotes at
9:29 PM
3 Comments:
Interesting. I think the "inability to face death" idea may have some merit, but only in a contributory way. My feeling is that it's our inability to see ourselves and our country with mature, unromanticise understanding. We may be (or have been) a great nation, but our self appraisal has been childishly unwilling to acknowledge any flaws. The massive, profanely vicious and evil events sent our collective psyche into a dark place. Despite all our tough talk and flag waving we effectively pulled the blanket over our heads and let the President and the Republican congress run off the leash.
Until we grow up and develop a more mature sense of national identity, we well continue to act like frightened children... and continue to be manipulated as despots. When we finally step up to the plate to accept our responsibilities as citizens, will we find our rights as citizens have be stolen?
By
-epm, at 10:21 PM
So, you see the attack as resonant because it challenged the notion of American exceptionalism?
Or are you saying that it's the individual's relationship to the government that's immature?
I shortened the Soros point alot. He was talking about the "feel good" element in our society which does fall into your immature point.
Again, interesting. Thought provoking.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 10:52 AM
So, you see the attack as resonant because it challenged the notion of American exceptionalism?
Or are you saying that it's the individual's relationship to the government that's immature?
I shortened the Soros point alot. He was talking about the "feel good" element in our society which does fall into your immature point.
Again, interesting. Thought provoking.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 10:52 AM
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