"the economy is doing well" is always accompanied by a silent "for me and mine". As is the the inverse.
We are frail and limited creatures and while we can comfortably encompass the notion of a tribe. The concept of nations and of common humanity are abstractions to most of us on the level of idols or ideals.
As rulers have known since time immemorial: nations must be whipped into existence with all the tools of propaganda and religion. It must be clear to citizens that there are fearsome punishments for traitors and dissidents. And simple symbols must, through ritual and repetition; be imbued with mystical powers commanding allegiance.
And the economy as an abstraction of the economic health of the citizens is a tool of propaganda and of class war. When the owned media celebrate the economy, they are often performing a triumphal flourish for the ownership class; while the working class is being mugged.
Thus has it always been. But that is starting to change. All affinity groups can make themselves heard these days. The tools of media creation are so common that most adults carry them on their person all day long in the wealthier parts of the world. And those who have dreamt that they were the rulers are frightened by this. They seek to enclose the internet commons and drive us back into the feedlots of broadcast style media where the owners of the means of media production are the only ones heard.
People of the Internet; now is your time. Talk to each other. Create your own measures for the health of the economy. Ask the big questions. Are people being housed and fed? Is public health and hygiene being maintained at an adequate level?
Is everyone you know free from the fear of starvation, homelessness and violence?
How about everyone who knows everyone you know?
By talking to each other; we render those who would arrogate to themselves the title of rulers, irrelevant.
We are frail and limited creatures and while we can comfortably encompass the notion of a tribe. The concept of nations and of common humanity are abstractions to most of us on the level of idols or ideals.
As rulers have known since time immemorial: nations must be whipped into existence with all the tools of propaganda and religion. It must be clear to citizens that there are fearsome punishments for traitors and dissidents. And simple symbols must, through ritual and repetition; be imbued with mystical powers commanding allegiance.
And the economy as an abstraction of the economic health of the citizens is a tool of propaganda and of class war. When the owned media celebrate the economy, they are often performing a triumphal flourish for the ownership class; while the working class is being mugged.
Thus has it always been. But that is starting to change. All affinity groups can make themselves heard these days. The tools of media creation are so common that most adults carry them on their person all day long in the wealthier parts of the world. And those who have dreamt that they were the rulers are frightened by this. They seek to enclose the internet commons and drive us back into the feedlots of broadcast style media where the owners of the means of media production are the only ones heard.
People of the Internet; now is your time. Talk to each other. Create your own measures for the health of the economy. Ask the big questions. Are people being housed and fed? Is public health and hygiene being maintained at an adequate level? Is everyone you know free from the fear of starvation, homelessness and violence? How about everyone who knows everyone you know?
By talking to each other; we render those who would arrogate to themselves the title of rulers, irrelevant.