I apologize for posting something this political on an architectural site, but Archinect is my social media. I never joined facebook out of principle, remember when you had to know somebody? When I googled this text on the web, which I was about to re-type, I found someone had already posted it - united architects Working on a blog about Liberland ;)
it's possible architects are often privileged to the agendas of the privileged, and we often find ourselves friends with the working class - we know two different worlds very well.
Read between the lines and the read the lines, please.
by the way Germany has decided to allow publication of Mein Kampf , with all good intentions aside, the fervor always trumps the intellectual.
Review of Mein Kampf, by Adolf Hitler, unabridged translation - George Orwell
It is a sign of the speed at which events are moving that Hurst and Blackett’s unexpurgated edition of Mein Kampf, published only a year ago, is edited from a pro-Hitler angle. The obvious intention of the translator’s preface and notes is to tone down the book’s ferocity and present Hitler in as kindly a light as possible. For at that date Hitler was still respectable. He had crushed the German labour movement, and for that the property-owning classes were willing to forgive him almost anything. Both Left and Right concurred in the very shallow notion that National Socialism was merely a version of Conservatism.
Then suddenly it turned out that Hitler was not respectable after all. As one result of this, Hurst and Blackett’s edition was reissued in a new jacket explaining that all profits would be devoted to the Red Cross. Nevertheless, simply on the internal evidence of Mein Kampf, it is difficult to believe that any real change has taken place in Hitler’s aims and opinions. When one compares his utterances of a year or so ago with those made fifteen years earlier, a thing that strikes one is the rigidity of his mind, the way in which his world-view doesn’t develop. It is the fixed vision of a monomaniac and not likely to be much affected by the temporary manoeuvres of power politics. Probably, in Hitler’s own mind, the Russo-German Pact represents no more than an alteration of time-table. The plan laid down in Mein Kampf was to smash Russia first, with the implied intention of smashing England afterwards. Now, as it has turned out, England has got to be dealt with first, because Russia was the more easily bribed of the two. But Russia’s turn will come when England is out of the picture — that, no doubt, is how Hitler sees it. Whether it will turn out that way is of course a different question.
Suppose that Hitler’s programme could be put into effect. What he envisages, a hundred years hence, is a continuous state of 250 million Germans with plenty of “living room” (i.e. stretching to Afghanistan or thereabouts), a horrible brainless empire in which, essentially, nothing ever happens except the training of young men for war and the endless breeding of fresh cannon-fodder. How was it that he was able to put this monstrous decision across? It is easy to say that at one stage of his career he was financed by the heavy industrialists, who saw in him the man who would smash the Socialists and Communists. They would not have backed him, however, if he had not talked a great movement into existence already. Again, the situation in Germany, with its seven million unemployed, was obviously favourable for demagogues. But Hitler could not have succeeded against his many rivals if it had not been for the attraction of his own personality, which one can feel even in the clumsy writing of Mein Kampf, and which is no doubt overwhelming when one hears his speeches. I should like to put it on record that I have never been able to dislike Hitler. Ever since he came to power — till then, like nearly everyone, I had been deceived into thinking that he did not matter — I have reflected that I would certainly kill him if I could get within reach of him, but that I could feel no personal animosity. The fact is that there is something deeply appealing about him. One feels it again when one sees his photographs — and I recommend especially the photograph at the beginning of Hurst and Blackett’s edition, which shows Hitler in his early Brownshirt days. It is a pathetic, dog-like face, the face of a man suffering under intolerable wrongs. In a rather more manly way it reproduces the expression of innumerable pictures of Christ crucified, and there is little doubt that that is how Hitler sees himself. The initial personal cause of his grievance against the universe can only be guessed at; but at any rate the grievance is there. He is the martyr, the victim. Prometheus chained to the rock, the self-sacrificing hero who fights single-handed against impossible odds. If he were killing a mouse he would know how to make it seem like a dragon. One feels, as with Napoleon, that he is fighting against destiny, that he can’t win, and yet that he somehow deserves to. The attraction of such a pose is of course enormous; half the films that one sees turn upon some such theme.
Also he has grasped the falsity of the hedonistic attitude to life. Nearly all western thought since the last war, certainly all “progressive” thought, has assumed tacitly that human beings desire nothing beyond ease, security and avoidance of pain. In such a.view of life there is no room, for instance, for patriotism and the military virtues. The Socialist who finds his children playing with soldiers is usually upset, but he is never able to think of a substitute for the tin soldiers; tin pacifists somehow won’t do. Hitler, because in his own joyless mind he feels it with exceptional strength, knows that human beings don’t only want comfort, safety, short working-hours, hygiene, birth-control and, in general, common sense; they also, at least intermittently, want struggle and self-sacrifice, not to mention drums, flags and loyalty-parades. However they may be as economic theories, Fascism and Nazism are psychologically far sounder than any hedonistic conception of life. The same is probably true of Stalin’s militarized version of Socialism. All three of the great dictators have enhanced their power by imposing intolerable burdens on their peoples. Whereas Socialism, and even capitalism in a more grudging way, have said to people “I offer you a good time,” Hitler has said to them “I offer you struggle, danger and death,” and as a result a whole nation flings itself at his feet. Perhaps later on they will get sick of it and change their minds, as at the end of the last war. After a few years of slaughter and starvation “Greatest happiness of the greatest number” is a good slogan, but at this moment “Better an end with horror than a horror without end” is a winner. Now that we are fighting against the man who coined it, we ought not to underrate its emotional appeal.
New English Weekly, 21 March 1940
davvid
Dec 19, 15 11:06 pm
.......
( o Y o )
Dec 20, 15 12:05 am
Saw about 30 seconds of the demo debate this eve, where Billary goes off on Assad, utterly ignoring the fact that we (she) created the disastrous war there, followed by Bernie, who seemed like a pandering old fool when he followed 'no world policeman, no continuous wars' with first get rid if ISIS, then take care of Assad. Democracy at the point of a gun.
In other words, nothing has changed, the fascists are in full control and will be after the next sham election.
<click>
midlander
Dec 20, 15 12:56 am
If there is anything good to be said about Trump, it's that he's a bald-faced liar. Unlike Hitler, he seems to have no fixed position, no grand visions at all. He is simply trading words for votes at the level where it's easiest to catch them.
The fact that he has made the accumulation of wealth and hedonism his life's work suggests to me that he is in no way a true-believer: he will do anything for a dollar, and do it twice for extended applause. Such a person is rarely dangerous because money is in fact a social construct - it depends on acceptance by others to function. The greatest value of money is to purchase pleasure, and live a lazy life of security. In contrast, the most hard-nosed and vile figures have always preached a degree of austerity, as for them the struggle for power is a goal beyond wealth.
Contrary to our cherished platitudes, evil is in fact the root of all evil. Money is just an instrument, in no way at all a useful explanation for the holocaust, genocide, or hatred in their many forms. As Orwell rightly notes, there are those who worship cruelty itself, and will endure material austerity to inflict it on others.
Trump is just a bored old man playing games. I think as president his most substantial act would be to turn the national mall into the executive golf course. He lives by pay to play, and has no goal beyond playing it with higher stakes.
awaiting_deletion
Dec 20, 15 9:25 am
davvid, much like Quandom I imagine, I often post stuff here just to post it, as Archinect is quite searchable and it's editor's are quite open to information.
d[-_-]b gets it. Midlander explained it in today's context. I was just amazed someone had already posted this text under the guise of an architect.
I like to put information out there that might get lost if you follow the train of thought of most - for instance - Bucky Fuller at Detroit
but davvid so that you understand the third paragraph a bit, I will direct you to your hero here
but it's being delivered differently these days...since I'm researching conspiracy theories, here is one for ya:
Mein Kampf is going to be published now that the western world has a new imaginary common enemy - [radical] Islam, after all the Illuminati was founded in Bavaria, no?
I could go on an on...but I like that one...
toodles
Miles Jaffe
Dec 20, 15 9:46 am
Mid, it's all about money. We're not dependent on its acceptance by others to survive, we're dependent on acquiring it ourselves to survive. It wasn't that long ago that you were struggling with career choices that were largely driven by economics.
As for acquisition of money not being dangerous, doing anything for money is exceedingly dangerous as the last 60 years of war, various manufactured economic crises, the pharmaceutical / insurance / health care debacle, etc. etc. have all made perfectly clear.
Trumps appears refreshingly honest (even though he's not) because he doesn't pretend to be interested in anything other than himself. That's pretty much the only difference (aside from his deep wallet and perfect mastery of the media) between him and the rest of the assholes running.
Miles Jaffe
Dec 20, 15 12:14 pm
quondrum only posts here because of his personality disorder(s). That's not an assumption, as it has been clearly demonstrated by his history including some half-dozen identities and the regurgitation of years-stale threads he started that nobody ever replied to.
Volunteer
Dec 20, 15 1:04 pm
Well, Hitler served in the German army in WWI and was decorated. Trump is a draft dodger, as is Bernie, as is Cheney, as is Bush. Obama? God help us. Then there is the blob of fat and pancake make-up with her absurd story of trying to join the Marines. Anything to get a vote. The country is about finished.
x-jla
Dec 20, 15 1:13 pm
trump is the worst, which to me is why it is no surprise he quickly rose to favor in this dumb country. Our cultural values that glorify indifference, confidence, assertiveness, and conviction have led to a nation run by the loud mouths who think too highly of themselves...(as Carlin noted) those are traits shared with sociopaths and serial killers.
austin_tayshus
Dec 20, 15 1:52 pm
Yes, a great leader.
no_form
Dec 20, 15 2:52 pm
Thank you for cutting through the bullshit Austin. Hitler was despicable. Enough is enough.
Donna Sink
Dec 20, 15 3:02 pm
This bit struck me: ...knows that human beings don’t only want comfort, safety, short working-hours, hygiene, birth-control and, in general, common sense; they also, at least intermittently, want struggle and self-sacrifice, not to mention drums, flags and loyalty-parades.
I think these goals change as people age, in intensity, certainly. Passion is a very important element of youth, in fact a youth spent without passion would be sad. I recall a nun discussing how so many pre-teen and teen girls romanticize Jesus and consider becoming nuns themselves because at that age actual physical and mental passion with another human would be dangerous not to mention inappropriate, but feeling passion for Jesus is acceptable, chaste, safe - but still passionate. In simpler terms: to teenagers everything is brutally important.
These days my biggest passion is for others, and myself, to have comfort, safety, short working hours, hygiene, birth control, and options. But I also want them to have passion.
awaiting_deletion
Dec 20, 15 3:32 pm
donna that bit and paragraph is of most interest to me and still timely 75 years later. as i age i am less intense about massive rebellion and more into calm guidance. i fear my daughters becoming teenagers, as you say everything is brutally important.....what blows my mind are adults who still find things they have no control of or evena clue about, practically delusional beliefs, are still brutally important to them. i find that disturbing.
Donna Sink
Dec 20, 15 4:13 pm
Well we're fortunate that as architects we get to have something to be passionate about, but I agree with you Olaf that I see people who are adults who grab onto bizarre ideas and decide they must be true, IMO often because they just want something to feel. Some people become food evangelists or exercise nuts or other fairly harmless things; others become conspiracy lunatics.
awaiting_deletion
Dec 20, 15 4:21 pm
this is the global modern world conundrum, isn't it? on phone, you made SOMETHING bold. i chose architecture, but most people do not choose anything ever. or go off into lala land and get angry about it.....interesting to note the Germans have a very good political deifnition of a cult, they apparently offended JohnTravolta once by denying sone his films being played as he was a Scientologist and thats a cult......the other part of this essay that blew my mind was thw 250 million German nation to Afghanistan looking for "living space".....George Orwell was a genius, but most people would rather listen to a demagogue to enforce their evangelical dedications to non sense.
( o Y o )
Dec 20, 15 4:54 pm
Hitler killed 6 millions Jews. Clinton/Bush/Obama killed >2 million Iraqis and uncounted Afghanis/Libyans/Syrians.
What's the difference?
The former was a single despot, the latter were/are the continuation of a persistent policy and and entrenched fascist regime.
awaiting_deletion
Dec 20, 15 5:10 pm
db last sentences is totally true....here is my 2nd favorite conspiracy theory - Trump, once a sponsor of the Clintons, a Democrat as well, has decided to destroy the GOP or move the Republicans so far right - Cruz vs Rubio are only options, so that unnoticed Billary walks-in.......hello, Hillary is going to win! i had friends, relatives, and dated girls that lived in Trailer courts, most of you have no idea what that means -now. Bill remembers everyone (he has a photographic mind) played the rich girl Hillary and is better son to Herbert than George or Jeb ever could be....read senior Bush's resume, very few men come close......but wait, am I getting Evangelical about non-sense? who decides what is sensical for a citizen to consider?. .corn fed white boys know better (see movie Gone Girl, thats our boy Billy)
where did you get 2 million iraqis killed by us forces?
even if that isn't a made up number, and the number of afghanis, libyans, and syrians really is uncountable, aren't you comparing this conflict to the 60 million who died during ww2? i suppose the idea is that 60 million is a countable number (estimated at about 3% of the world population at that time) but waaaay more people died in the mideast over the last 12 years due to US intervention? the 3 presidents you mention span a conflict that's been going on about 12 years now, compared to ww2, which was about half that time and had something like 3,000% more casualties.
or are you comparing those iraqis who lost their lives during the terms of those three presidents to the people who were marched into gas chambers at german concentration camps? you really believe that the scope of what happened during ww2 is comparable to the scope of what happened in iraq during the term of 3 US presidents?
x-jla
Dec 20, 15 6:30 pm
bush and cheney were not like hitler. He was a serial killer with a hell of a lot of power...bush obama and the other cronies are just average men with too much power. That is a dangerous thing too, but much different.
awaiting_deletion
Dec 20, 15 6:37 pm
oh curtkram you and your facts.....db where did you get your numbers? this is important. i mean yeah,if clinton wins its like 2 decades or so of Bush Clinton regime (if you think regime applies here you are brainwashed and stupid) but anyway DB lets see where your facts are coming from?....i really don't want to be disappointed by the typical anti-western mama boys who wine like little bitches. it was so disappointing to see angry drug dealers blame me and me brah from the midwest in Strasbourg, France for their stupid life decisions.....blame Americans for everything I tell you......architecturally speaking Frank Llyod Wrigth has always done great work. no one blames falling water,even for leaks. db see if you can show up instead of duck duck and go!!!
( o Y o )
Dec 20, 15 7:12 pm
The numbers will never be known for certain. Which Iraq Wars do you want to count? Does the period between the declared wars with near daily bombing of civilian infrastructure including power, sanitation and water facilities (by Clinton) count? That is estimated to have caused the deaths of 1/2 million Iraqi children.
It's not a comparison to all killed in WW2, or the scope of WW2 to Iraq. It's the similarity of behavior - fascist, specifically - that is the point. When the foreign leader declares an enemy and illegally invades counties on false pretenses he's a despot. When your government does the same thing somehow it's different? Amazing how much recent history - Hussein behind 9/11, non-existent WMDs and so on - is completely ignored.
Hitler falsely claimed that Poland attacked Germany as a pretext for invasion. Johnson falsely claimed that north Vietnam attacked the Maddox to engage the US in war there (a plausible explanation for the Kennedy assassination is his reluctance to do so). Kuwait, Iraq, Libya, and Syria are all the same. American history 101.
curtkram
Dec 20, 15 7:26 pm
so comparing US presidents to hitler is just false bravado and bullshit, kind of like trump pandering to the stupidest people he could find? you might have more luck at reddit or the CNN comments section.
war has changed since ww2. we have nuclear bombs that cause so much destruction that targeting civilian populations will eventually escalate to mutually assured destruction. sometimes the wrong target gets hit, and maybe sometimes a civilian is intentionally killed. however, those cases have to be limited in a way that didn't exist during ww2.
the other big change is the internet, communication, and the world generally being much smaller. you can talk to people on forums like this and see that your enemy isn't so bad and wade through some of the propaganda, which hopefully will lead us to learn we're a lot more alike that we are different. however, if you're going to run around calling people 'hitler,' you will not be a credible member of the discussion.
Powerful and Continuing Nationalism Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.
Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.
Supremacy of the Military Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.
Rampant Sexism The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.
Controlled Mass Media Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
Obsession with National Security Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.
Religion and Government are Intertwined Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.
Corporate Power is Protected The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.
Labor Power is Suppressed Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed .
Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.
Obsession with Crime and Punishment Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.
Rampant Cronyism and Corruption Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
Fraudulent Elections Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.
We hear you're leaving, that's OK I thought our little wild time had just begun I guess you kind of scared yourself, you turn and run But if you have a change of heart
[Chorus] Rikki don't lose that number You don't want to call nobody else Send it off in a letter to yourself Rikki don't lose that number It's the only one you own You might use it if you feel better When you get home
I have a friend in town, he's heard your name We can go out driving on Slow Hand Row We could stay inside and play games, I don't know And you could have a change of heart
[Chorus]
You tell yourself you're not my kind But you don't even know your mind And you could have a change of heart
[Chorus]
[Before Ricky thinks I'm plagiarizing, these are Steely Dan, not mine]
davvid
Dec 20, 15 10:46 pm
.... ..
b3tadine[sutures]
Dec 20, 15 10:48 pm
^ damned IllumiBALLKINS!
gwharton
Dec 21, 15 3:59 pm
WINTER IS COMING
“Soon after the catalyst, a national election will produce a sweeping political realignment, as one faction or coalition capitalizes on a new public demand for decisive action. Republicans, Democrats, or perhaps a new party will decisively win the long partisan tug of war. This new regime will enthrone itself for the duration of the Crisis. Regardless of its ideology, that new leadership will assert public authority and demand private sacrifice. Where leaders had once been inclined to alleviate societal pressures, they will now aggravate them to command the nation’s attention. The regeneracy will be solidly under way.”
“Americans have always been blind to the next turning until after it fully arrives.
Most of today’s adult Americans grew up in a society whose citizens dreamed of perpetually improving outcomes: better jobs, fatter wallets, stronger government, finer culture, nicer families, smarter kids, all the usual fruits of progress. Today, deep into the Third Turning, these goals feel like they are slipping away. Many of us wish we could rewind time, but we know we can’t – and we fear for our children and grandchildren.
Many Americans wish that, somehow, they could bring back a saecular spring now. But seasons don’t work that way. As in nature, a saecular autumn can be warm or cool, long or short, but the leaves will surely fall. The saecular winter can hurry or wait, but history warns that it will surely be upon us.
We may not wish the Grey Champion to come again – but come he must, and come he will.”
davvid I encourage the cat posting, funny shit.......wait weren't the Grays the post-modernist...........db your 14 points barely apply to the US even if i believed heavily in Conspiracy theories and you could not provide any supporting data which I am sure like any good Conspiracy theory supporter you will say the Fascists erased. I have decided to classify Conspiracy Theorists as a Cult in a strange Religion (media/politics).................... In my reading so far of Feuerbach it appears God is nothing more than a Virtuous Man stripped of all his flaws and Religion is the essence of this God. Based on this premise a member of the Conspiracy Theorist Cult finds God to be diabolical and overly omnipotent. Where a typical relgious person might find a Cat to be one of God's creatures,a CTC member will find a cat to be a spy for the US government or Ancient Aliens................Orwell was no dumb man and when he wrote this text Hitler was only getting going. Midlander is quite intelligent as well and quickly drew the parallels between today and when text was written and presented it wuite appropriately (sane), i hinted at it no doubt and thought same. Miles denied money as a tool and claimed it is perhaps evil? can tools be evil? a CTC member, i would wager, would find more tools evil than a sane person might. db got it, because getting something can mean a lot about practically nothing. i am not sure i got gwhartons post, other than pseudo crypto cycling of ages is an easy sale to those who join the Church of Conspiracy quickly when they feel powerless in a world where even the birds work for the NSA..............cats are evil.
DTL DWG
Jan 29, 17 5:58 pm
don't want to bring up old shit, but 1984 is selling like hotcakes!
sameolddoctor
Jan 29, 17 9:02 pm
Wonder what the fucking retarded Hillary detractors think now. Thanks to you bitches, we are stuck with the fucking Dumpster.
Dear Architnectors,
I apologize for posting something this political on an architectural site, but Archinect is my social media. I never joined facebook out of principle, remember when you had to know somebody? When I googled this text on the web, which I was about to re-type, I found someone had already posted it - united architects Working on a blog about Liberland ;)
it's possible architects are often privileged to the agendas of the privileged, and we often find ourselves friends with the working class - we know two different worlds very well.
Read between the lines and the read the lines, please.
by the way Germany has decided to allow publication of Mein Kampf , with all good intentions aside, the fervor always trumps the intellectual.
__________________________________________________
Review of Mein Kampf, by Adolf Hitler, unabridged translation - George Orwell
It is a sign of the speed at which events are moving that Hurst and Blackett’s unexpurgated edition of Mein Kampf, published only a year ago, is edited from a pro-Hitler angle. The obvious intention of the translator’s preface and notes is to tone down the book’s ferocity and present Hitler in as kindly a light as possible. For at that date Hitler was still respectable. He had crushed the German labour movement, and for that the property-owning classes were willing to forgive him almost anything. Both Left and Right concurred in the very shallow notion that National Socialism was merely a version of Conservatism.
Then suddenly it turned out that Hitler was not respectable after all. As one result of this, Hurst and Blackett’s edition was reissued in a new jacket explaining that all profits would be devoted to the Red Cross. Nevertheless, simply on the internal evidence of Mein Kampf, it is difficult to believe that any real change has taken place in Hitler’s aims and opinions. When one compares his utterances of a year or so ago with those made fifteen years earlier, a thing that strikes one is the rigidity of his mind, the way in which his world-view doesn’t develop. It is the fixed vision of a monomaniac and not likely to be much affected by the temporary manoeuvres of power politics. Probably, in Hitler’s own mind, the Russo-German Pact represents no more than an alteration of time-table. The plan laid down in Mein Kampf was to smash Russia first, with the implied intention of smashing England afterwards. Now, as it has turned out, England has got to be dealt with first, because Russia was the more easily bribed of the two. But Russia’s turn will come when England is out of the picture — that, no doubt, is how Hitler sees it. Whether it will turn out that way is of course a different question.
Suppose that Hitler’s programme could be put into effect. What he envisages, a hundred years hence, is a continuous state of 250 million Germans with plenty of “living room” (i.e. stretching to Afghanistan or thereabouts), a horrible brainless empire in which, essentially, nothing ever happens except the training of young men for war and the endless breeding of fresh cannon-fodder. How was it that he was able to put this monstrous decision across? It is easy to say that at one stage of his career he was financed by the heavy industrialists, who saw in him the man who would smash the Socialists and Communists. They would not have backed him, however, if he had not talked a great movement into existence already. Again, the situation in Germany, with its seven million unemployed, was obviously favourable for demagogues. But Hitler could not have succeeded against his many rivals if it had not been for the attraction of his own personality, which one can feel even in the clumsy writing of Mein Kampf, and which is no doubt overwhelming when one hears his speeches. I should like to put it on record that I have never been able to dislike Hitler. Ever since he came to power — till then, like nearly everyone, I had been deceived into thinking that he did not matter — I have reflected that I would certainly kill him if I could get within reach of him, but that I could feel no personal animosity. The fact is that there is something deeply appealing about him. One feels it again when one sees his photographs — and I recommend especially the photograph at the beginning of Hurst and Blackett’s edition, which shows Hitler in his early Brownshirt days. It is a pathetic, dog-like face, the face of a man suffering under intolerable wrongs. In a rather more manly way it reproduces the expression of innumerable pictures of Christ crucified, and there is little doubt that that is how Hitler sees himself. The initial personal cause of his grievance against the universe can only be guessed at; but at any rate the grievance is there. He is the martyr, the victim. Prometheus chained to the rock, the self-sacrificing hero who fights single-handed against impossible odds. If he were killing a mouse he would know how to make it seem like a dragon. One feels, as with Napoleon, that he is fighting against destiny, that he can’t win, and yet that he somehow deserves to. The attraction of such a pose is of course enormous; half the films that one sees turn upon some such theme.
Also he has grasped the falsity of the hedonistic attitude to life. Nearly all western thought since the last war, certainly all “progressive” thought, has assumed tacitly that human beings desire nothing beyond ease, security and avoidance of pain. In such a.view of life there is no room, for instance, for patriotism and the military virtues. The Socialist who finds his children playing with soldiers is usually upset, but he is never able to think of a substitute for the tin soldiers; tin pacifists somehow won’t do. Hitler, because in his own joyless mind he feels it with exceptional strength, knows that human beings don’t only want comfort, safety, short working-hours, hygiene, birth-control and, in general, common sense; they also, at least intermittently, want struggle and self-sacrifice, not to mention drums, flags and loyalty-parades. However they may be as economic theories, Fascism and Nazism are psychologically far sounder than any hedonistic conception of life. The same is probably true of Stalin’s militarized version of Socialism. All three of the great dictators have enhanced their power by imposing intolerable burdens on their peoples. Whereas Socialism, and even capitalism in a more grudging way, have said to people “I offer you a good time,” Hitler has said to them “I offer you struggle, danger and death,” and as a result a whole nation flings itself at his feet. Perhaps later on they will get sick of it and change their minds, as at the end of the last war. After a few years of slaughter and starvation “Greatest happiness of the greatest number” is a good slogan, but at this moment “Better an end with horror than a horror without end” is a winner. Now that we are fighting against the man who coined it, we ought not to underrate its emotional appeal.
New English Weekly, 21 March 1940
.......
Saw about 30 seconds of the demo debate this eve, where Billary goes off on Assad, utterly ignoring the fact that we (she) created the disastrous war there, followed by Bernie, who seemed like a pandering old fool when he followed 'no world policeman, no continuous wars' with first get rid if ISIS, then take care of Assad. Democracy at the point of a gun.
In other words, nothing has changed, the fascists are in full control and will be after the next sham election.
<click>
If there is anything good to be said about Trump, it's that he's a bald-faced liar. Unlike Hitler, he seems to have no fixed position, no grand visions at all. He is simply trading words for votes at the level where it's easiest to catch them.
The fact that he has made the accumulation of wealth and hedonism his life's work suggests to me that he is in no way a true-believer: he will do anything for a dollar, and do it twice for extended applause. Such a person is rarely dangerous because money is in fact a social construct - it depends on acceptance by others to function. The greatest value of money is to purchase pleasure, and live a lazy life of security. In contrast, the most hard-nosed and vile figures have always preached a degree of austerity, as for them the struggle for power is a goal beyond wealth.
Contrary to our cherished platitudes, evil is in fact the root of all evil. Money is just an instrument, in no way at all a useful explanation for the holocaust, genocide, or hatred in their many forms. As Orwell rightly notes, there are those who worship cruelty itself, and will endure material austerity to inflict it on others.
Trump is just a bored old man playing games. I think as president his most substantial act would be to turn the national mall into the executive golf course. He lives by pay to play, and has no goal beyond playing it with higher stakes.
davvid, much like Quandom I imagine, I often post stuff here just to post it, as Archinect is quite searchable and it's editor's are quite open to information.
d[-_-]b gets it. Midlander explained it in today's context. I was just amazed someone had already posted this text under the guise of an architect.
I like to put information out there that might get lost if you follow the train of thought of most - for instance - Bucky Fuller at Detroit
but davvid so that you understand the third paragraph a bit, I will direct you to your hero here
TEDxEastSalon - Bjarke Ingels - Hedonistic Sustainability
but it's being delivered differently these days...since I'm researching conspiracy theories, here is one for ya:
Mein Kampf is going to be published now that the western world has a new imaginary common enemy - [radical] Islam, after all the Illuminati was founded in Bavaria, no?
I could go on an on...but I like that one...
toodles
Mid, it's all about money. We're not dependent on its acceptance by others to survive, we're dependent on acquiring it ourselves to survive. It wasn't that long ago that you were struggling with career choices that were largely driven by economics.
As for acquisition of money not being dangerous, doing anything for money is exceedingly dangerous as the last 60 years of war, various manufactured economic crises, the pharmaceutical / insurance / health care debacle, etc. etc. have all made perfectly clear.
Trumps appears refreshingly honest (even though he's not) because he doesn't pretend to be interested in anything other than himself. That's pretty much the only difference (aside from his deep wallet and perfect mastery of the media) between him and the rest of the assholes running.
quondrum only posts here because of his personality disorder(s). That's not an assumption, as it has been clearly demonstrated by his history including some half-dozen identities and the regurgitation of years-stale threads he started that nobody ever replied to.
Well, Hitler served in the German army in WWI and was decorated. Trump is a draft dodger, as is Bernie, as is Cheney, as is Bush. Obama? God help us. Then there is the blob of fat and pancake make-up with her absurd story of trying to join the Marines. Anything to get a vote. The country is about finished.
trump is the worst, which to me is why it is no surprise he quickly rose to favor in this dumb country. Our cultural values that glorify indifference, confidence, assertiveness, and conviction have led to a nation run by the loud mouths who think too highly of themselves...(as Carlin noted) those are traits shared with sociopaths and serial killers.
Yes, a great leader.
Thank you for cutting through the bullshit Austin. Hitler was despicable. Enough is enough.
This bit struck me: ...knows that human beings don’t only want comfort, safety, short working-hours, hygiene, birth-control and, in general, common sense; they also, at least intermittently, want struggle and self-sacrifice, not to mention drums, flags and loyalty-parades.
I think these goals change as people age, in intensity, certainly. Passion is a very important element of youth, in fact a youth spent without passion would be sad. I recall a nun discussing how so many pre-teen and teen girls romanticize Jesus and consider becoming nuns themselves because at that age actual physical and mental passion with another human would be dangerous not to mention inappropriate, but feeling passion for Jesus is acceptable, chaste, safe - but still passionate. In simpler terms: to teenagers everything is brutally important.
These days my biggest passion is for others, and myself, to have comfort, safety, short working hours, hygiene, birth control, and options. But I also want them to have passion.
donna that bit and paragraph is of most interest to me and still timely 75 years later. as i age i am less intense about massive rebellion and more into calm guidance. i fear my daughters becoming teenagers, as you say everything is brutally important.....what blows my mind are adults who still find things they have no control of or evena clue about, practically delusional beliefs, are still brutally important to them. i find that disturbing.
Well we're fortunate that as architects we get to have something to be passionate about, but I agree with you Olaf that I see people who are adults who grab onto bizarre ideas and decide they must be true, IMO often because they just want something to feel. Some people become food evangelists or exercise nuts or other fairly harmless things; others become conspiracy lunatics.
this is the global modern world conundrum, isn't it? on phone, you made SOMETHING bold. i chose architecture, but most people do not choose anything ever. or go off into lala land and get angry about it.....interesting to note the Germans have a very good political deifnition of a cult, they apparently offended JohnTravolta once by denying sone his films being played as he was a Scientologist and thats a cult......the other part of this essay that blew my mind was thw 250 million German nation to Afghanistan looking for "living space".....George Orwell was a genius, but most people would rather listen to a demagogue to enforce their evangelical dedications to non sense.
Hitler killed 6 millions Jews. Clinton/Bush/Obama killed >2 million Iraqis and uncounted Afghanis/Libyans/Syrians.
What's the difference?
The former was a single despot, the latter were/are the continuation of a persistent policy and and entrenched fascist regime.
db last sentences is totally true....here is my 2nd favorite conspiracy theory - Trump, once a sponsor of the Clintons, a Democrat as well, has decided to destroy the GOP or move the Republicans so far right - Cruz vs Rubio are only options, so that unnoticed Billary walks-in.......hello, Hillary is going to win! i had friends, relatives, and dated girls that lived in Trailer courts, most of you have no idea what that means -now. Bill remembers everyone (he has a photographic mind) played the rich girl Hillary and is better son to Herbert than George or Jeb ever could be....read senior Bush's resume, very few men come close......but wait, am I getting Evangelical about non-sense? who decides what is sensical for a citizen to consider?. .corn fed white boys know better (see movie Gone Girl, thats our boy Billy)
http://www.scottmanning.com/content/nazi-body-count/ its amazing DB how history is retold incorrectly.
where did you get 2 million iraqis killed by us forces?
even if that isn't a made up number, and the number of afghanis, libyans, and syrians really is uncountable, aren't you comparing this conflict to the 60 million who died during ww2? i suppose the idea is that 60 million is a countable number (estimated at about 3% of the world population at that time) but waaaay more people died in the mideast over the last 12 years due to US intervention? the 3 presidents you mention span a conflict that's been going on about 12 years now, compared to ww2, which was about half that time and had something like 3,000% more casualties.
or are you comparing those iraqis who lost their lives during the terms of those three presidents to the people who were marched into gas chambers at german concentration camps? you really believe that the scope of what happened during ww2 is comparable to the scope of what happened in iraq during the term of 3 US presidents?
bush and cheney were not like hitler. He was a serial killer with a hell of a lot of power...bush obama and the other cronies are just average men with too much power. That is a dangerous thing too, but much different.
oh curtkram you and your facts.....db where did you get your numbers? this is important. i mean yeah,if clinton wins its like 2 decades or so of Bush Clinton regime (if you think regime applies here you are brainwashed and stupid) but anyway DB lets see where your facts are coming from?....i really don't want to be disappointed by the typical anti-western mama boys who wine like little bitches. it was so disappointing to see angry drug dealers blame me and me brah from the midwest in Strasbourg, France for their stupid life decisions.....blame Americans for everything I tell you......architecturally speaking Frank Llyod Wrigth has always done great work. no one blames falling water,even for leaks. db see if you can show up instead of duck duck and go!!!
The numbers will never be known for certain. Which Iraq Wars do you want to count? Does the period between the declared wars with near daily bombing of civilian infrastructure including power, sanitation and water facilities (by Clinton) count? That is estimated to have caused the deaths of 1/2 million Iraqi children.
It's not a comparison to all killed in WW2, or the scope of WW2 to Iraq. It's the similarity of behavior - fascist, specifically - that is the point. When the foreign leader declares an enemy and illegally invades counties on false pretenses he's a despot. When your government does the same thing somehow it's different? Amazing how much recent history - Hussein behind 9/11, non-existent WMDs and so on - is completely ignored.
Hitler falsely claimed that Poland attacked Germany as a pretext for invasion. Johnson falsely claimed that north Vietnam attacked the Maddox to engage the US in war there (a plausible explanation for the Kennedy assassination is his reluctance to do so). Kuwait, Iraq, Libya, and Syria are all the same. American history 101.
so comparing US presidents to hitler is just false bravado and bullshit, kind of like trump pandering to the stupidest people he could find? you might have more luck at reddit or the CNN comments section.
war has changed since ww2. we have nuclear bombs that cause so much destruction that targeting civilian populations will eventually escalate to mutually assured destruction. sometimes the wrong target gets hit, and maybe sometimes a civilian is intentionally killed. however, those cases have to be limited in a way that didn't exist during ww2.
the other big change is the internet, communication, and the world generally being much smaller. you can talk to people on forums like this and see that your enemy isn't so bad and wade through some of the propaganda, which hopefully will lead us to learn we're a lot more alike that we are different. however, if you're going to run around calling people 'hitler,' you will not be a credible member of the discussion.
....... ........ .
The 14 Characteristics of Fascism
Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.
Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.
Supremacy of the Military
Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.
Rampant Sexism
The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.
Controlled Mass Media
Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
Obsession with National Security
Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.
Religion and Government are Intertwined
Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.
Corporate Power is Protected
The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.
Labor Power is Suppressed
Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed .
Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.
Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.
Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
Fraudulent Elections
Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.
______________
God Bless America!
Is Trump a Fascist?
B3ta,
This isn't a porn site.
Animal porn is still porn...
RICKboring,
Fuck off, twat.
How BALLkins screws in OR.
RickBOR'g Sex Fail
RickBALL'g epic oral FAIL
BALLkins!!!!
First Poland, then the BALKIN's Islands!
This is guy was the epitome of Ballllll'g
Now, now...we know you like to be on the receiving end.
I wish BALL kids was as cool as this;
ooooo BALL kunstler, everyone knows I suck dick.
But you're still BOOOOOOring.
I'd rather have BALLS in my mouth, than BALLkins on the interwebs.
But RICKY, don't you LOSE my number.
We hear you're leaving, that's OK
I thought our little wild time had just begun
I guess you kind of scared yourself, you turn and run
But if you have a change of heart
[Chorus]
Rikki don't lose that number
You don't want to call nobody else
Send it off in a letter to yourself
Rikki don't lose that number
It's the only one you own
You might use it if you feel better
When you get home
I have a friend in town, he's heard your name
We can go out driving on Slow Hand Row
We could stay inside and play games, I don't know
And you could have a change of heart
[Chorus]
You tell yourself you're not my kind
But you don't even know your mind
And you could have a change of heart
[Chorus]
[Before Ricky thinks I'm plagiarizing, these are Steely Dan, not mine]
.... ..
^ damned IllumiBALLKINS!
WINTER IS COMING
“Soon after the catalyst, a national election will produce a sweeping political realignment, as one faction or coalition capitalizes on a new public demand for decisive action. Republicans, Democrats, or perhaps a new party will decisively win the long partisan tug of war. This new regime will enthrone itself for the duration of the Crisis. Regardless of its ideology, that new leadership will assert public authority and demand private sacrifice. Where leaders had once been inclined to alleviate societal pressures, they will now aggravate them to command the nation’s attention. The regeneracy will be solidly under way.”
“Americans have always been blind to the next turning until after it fully arrives.
Most of today’s adult Americans grew up in a society whose citizens dreamed of perpetually improving outcomes: better jobs, fatter wallets, stronger government, finer culture, nicer families, smarter kids, all the usual fruits of progress. Today, deep into the Third Turning, these goals feel like they are slipping away. Many of us wish we could rewind time, but we know we can’t – and we fear for our children and grandchildren.
Many Americans wish that, somehow, they could bring back a saecular spring now. But seasons don’t work that way. As in nature, a saecular autumn can be warm or cool, long or short, but the leaves will surely fall. The saecular winter can hurry or wait, but history warns that it will surely be upon us.
We may not wish the Grey Champion to come again – but come he must, and come he will.”
– The Fourth Turning – Strauss & Howe – 1997
Grey Champion, with hoodie.
LOL Miles!
nice, Miles
davvid I encourage the cat posting, funny shit.......wait weren't the Grays the post-modernist...........db your 14 points barely apply to the US even if i believed heavily in Conspiracy theories and you could not provide any supporting data which I am sure like any good Conspiracy theory supporter you will say the Fascists erased. I have decided to classify Conspiracy Theorists as a Cult in a strange Religion (media/politics).................... In my reading so far of Feuerbach it appears God is nothing more than a Virtuous Man stripped of all his flaws and Religion is the essence of this God. Based on this premise a member of the Conspiracy Theorist Cult finds God to be diabolical and overly omnipotent. Where a typical relgious person might find a Cat to be one of God's creatures,a CTC member will find a cat to be a spy for the US government or Ancient Aliens................Orwell was no dumb man and when he wrote this text Hitler was only getting going. Midlander is quite intelligent as well and quickly drew the parallels between today and when text was written and presented it wuite appropriately (sane), i hinted at it no doubt and thought same. Miles denied money as a tool and claimed it is perhaps evil? can tools be evil? a CTC member, i would wager, would find more tools evil than a sane person might. db got it, because getting something can mean a lot about practically nothing. i am not sure i got gwhartons post, other than pseudo crypto cycling of ages is an easy sale to those who join the Church of Conspiracy quickly when they feel powerless in a world where even the birds work for the NSA..............cats are evil.
don't want to bring up old shit, but 1984 is selling like hotcakes!
Wonder what the fucking retarded Hillary detractors think now. Thanks to you bitches, we are stuck with the fucking Dumpster.