I recall watching a news clip of the mob outside the prison where Ted Bundy waited for his execution. They carried signs saying things like “Fry, Ted, fry.” Bundy was, of course, horrifically awful. But that mob gave me the creeps as a kid. Trump fans see themselves at a rally and see a bunch of real Americans and patriots. Progressives online see themselves as heroes working to eradicate racism etc. I see two mobs.
Absolutely, Karl. Everyone who is part of a mob sees them self as virtuous. They always do. And everything done is the name of of virtue is automatically Good. That kind of view is the most pernicious in creation.
I may have written a few too many quotes, lately, but here is another one that fits quite well. The author James Baldwin in one of his essays criticised another famous author for her political aims/agenda in her writing: 'A devotion to humanity is [...] too easily equated with a devotion to a Cause, and Causes, as we know, are notoriously bloodthirsty.'
I don’t think you are writing too many quotes at all. In fact, it’s always a good time to quote James Baldwin, who was terrific. In interviews, he always looked somehow like the incarnation of wisdom and a quite like this one seems to confirm it.
This quote is from the essay collection 'Notes of a native Son' (1955), and the author he is criticising is Harriet Beecher Stowe, if I remember correctly.
Comedian George Carlin wasn't a big fan of groups/mobs either, as he once stated: 'Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.'
And this was his advice on how to avoid becoming a part of a group/mob: 'I don't like ass kissers, flag wavers or team players. I like people who buck the system. Individualists. I often warn people: "Somewhere along the way, someone is going to tell you, 'There is no "I" in team.' What you should tell them is, 'Maybe not. But there is an "I" in independence, individuality and integrity.'" Avoid teams at all cost. Keep your circle small. Never join a group that has a name. If they say, "We're the So-and-Sos," take a walk. And if, somehow, you must join, if it's unavoidable, such as a union or a trade association, go ahead and join. But don't participate; it will be your death. And if they tell you you're not a team player, congratulate them on being observant.'
I love these quotes from George Carlin! That one about ‘never joint a group that has a name’ is excellent. A group like that is bound to have an ideology. He’s my kind of guy.
I recall watching a news clip of the mob outside the prison where Ted Bundy waited for his execution. They carried signs saying things like “Fry, Ted, fry.” Bundy was, of course, horrifically awful. But that mob gave me the creeps as a kid. Trump fans see themselves at a rally and see a bunch of real Americans and patriots. Progressives online see themselves as heroes working to eradicate racism etc. I see two mobs.
Absolutely, Karl. Everyone who is part of a mob sees them self as virtuous. They always do. And everything done is the name of of virtue is automatically Good. That kind of view is the most pernicious in creation.
I may have written a few too many quotes, lately, but here is another one that fits quite well. The author James Baldwin in one of his essays criticised another famous author for her political aims/agenda in her writing: 'A devotion to humanity is [...] too easily equated with a devotion to a Cause, and Causes, as we know, are notoriously bloodthirsty.'
I don’t think you are writing too many quotes at all. In fact, it’s always a good time to quote James Baldwin, who was terrific. In interviews, he always looked somehow like the incarnation of wisdom and a quite like this one seems to confirm it.
This quote is from the essay collection 'Notes of a native Son' (1955), and the author he is criticising is Harriet Beecher Stowe, if I remember correctly.
Comedian George Carlin wasn't a big fan of groups/mobs either, as he once stated: 'Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.'
And this was his advice on how to avoid becoming a part of a group/mob: 'I don't like ass kissers, flag wavers or team players. I like people who buck the system. Individualists. I often warn people: "Somewhere along the way, someone is going to tell you, 'There is no "I" in team.' What you should tell them is, 'Maybe not. But there is an "I" in independence, individuality and integrity.'" Avoid teams at all cost. Keep your circle small. Never join a group that has a name. If they say, "We're the So-and-Sos," take a walk. And if, somehow, you must join, if it's unavoidable, such as a union or a trade association, go ahead and join. But don't participate; it will be your death. And if they tell you you're not a team player, congratulate them on being observant.'
Sometimes, comedians spread some wisdom!
I love these quotes from George Carlin! That one about ‘never joint a group that has a name’ is excellent. A group like that is bound to have an ideology. He’s my kind of guy.