John, Thanks for the gift of Hoffer. I don't remember which of his books I read 50 years ago as a farm laborerer. Hoffer described his experience as a pea picker. It left a lasting impression on me.
John, thank you for this. Hoffer strikes at the truth that belies the facade that we see. He is piercing in a succinct way, hit the target before you realize. This will challenge me to seek more wisdom and perhaps couple that with a bit of wit! Thank you! I will certainly pass this post along.
Some of these concepts remind me of Peter W Wood's book 'Wrath America Enraged'. There are many quotable quotes. We, who do not see anger as a virtue, try to make sense of those who appear to thrive on it and can be easily recruited by it. I think it is self-righteous godlessness, but the rage fulfills some "spiritual" need in their empty souls.
“There are many who find a good alibi far more attractive than an achievement.”
Just think about that. Doesn’t that succinctly describe the entitlement mentality?
This is exactly what humanity is up against! There’s no stopping people, who believe in this “misguided-maligned” thought process!
I believe this is why, three different peer reviewed psychological studies showed that, 2.5% of people who align with, what I’ve learned are “Leftist-Lunatics” always finding someone else to blame.
When society feels they’re the victim’s, while taking zero accountability, responsibility, this is where society falls apart.
One major example was how, Biden was “illegitimately”installed as President in 2020. Regardless of obvious amounts of evidence indicating voter fraud, etc. these same people continued to believe in 2016, President Trump was an
“illegitimate President.”
There’s overwhelming evidence to support how far off the rails of society people will go. We’ve been, as a country and as a society, torn to shreds by these same people. Anything illogical is logical in their minds. Anything wrong is right, in their minds.
How disturbing is this? Well simply put, America has never been so divided, so broken and so corrupt!
“Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.” Welcome to America. It’s safe to say “Fundamentally Transform America” is exactly what’s happening. “We the People”
Overwhelmingly voted against this. Now we must fight to “right this ship” in the correct direction and silence those who have silenced us!
Human society has an intrinsic oscillation, embodied by my observation:
Hard times make strong men.
Strong men make good times.
Good times make weak men.
Weak men make hard times.
The only way to avoid this oscillation is for men to remain strong in good times. That's the origin of the dictum "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."
I’ve not heard an explanation so well constructed before Van Snyder,
Certainly what’s happening to society I would expect for more people to rebut / rebel against. Unfortunately so much deep dark money has been thrown into the mix, forcing so many people to “stand-down” against such social “destructiveness.”
Thank you very much for such a perfect response for a critical turning point in society today.
AJR: Regretfully, most of what you say is accurate. IMO a major underlying problem is that these citizens are not Critical Thinkers. As such they are easily swayed by self-serving parties promoting anti-American political agendas. The solution is that we MUST quickly fix this in K-12, and strat teaching Critical Thinking to children.
Thank you John and regrettably I am dismayed why there’s so many people who can’t think or have been lead incorrectly, to become critical thinkers.
In a rush to get ready for work I realized I didn’t explain why, 2.5% of people who align with the leftist agenda are more likely to suffer from narcissistic tendencies, personality disorders, etc.
IMO, these studies made perfect sense. Simply because over the past few years many people have been saying things like “what are they nuts” or “these people are insane.”
It’s sad IMO, so many people suffer from any kind of illness, mentally as well. But these studies point a much larger problem. This problem is, as you’ve said, “K-12.”
The road back to some kind of social normative / equilibrium may or may not happen. Unless more people get involved locally. David Webb speaks of this necessity often.
Thank you John. As always I look forward to your response, insights and understandings. Most important we help each other understand.
AJR: K-12 education is like the foundation of a house. No matter how elaborate an edifice is constructed, if the foundation is inadequate, it is all for naught.
Also, John, I blame both political sides of the aisle because nobody stopping it. They’re taking society and destroying it. Nobody stepping up. I refuse to call Bob because Bob decides he wants to be a woman I will not comply and society has to stop complying with this this ideology that’s used to destroy us. It’s being done to destroy our civilization. Covid shots are killing people And they keep saying they safe and effective so there’s a bigger picture to this whole thing I want to explain. Have a great day thank you.
This song, title mainly explains in my mind, how disconnected a big part of society is today.
Nobody can convince me that, a 14 year old can process “Gender Politics.” Moreover, the simple fact that society has now become OK if a 14 year old decides he or she doesn’t like their sexuality and go ahead with the gender mutilation / puberty blocking, lifelong altercation of their bodies.
This is only one example. There’s plenty more, which is why the title song above is so important for people to understand.
There’s “nefarious intentions” unfortunately running roughshod around society which in general can cause, is causing “great-divide” across all Western Countries, not only in America.
Maybe, just maybe if people understand what “good intentions” actually means then maybe we can turn this insanely dangerous situation around? Maybe?
I’m convinced the psychological peer reviewed studies provide an insight well beyond the initial “feel-good” mentality we’re all being forced to go along with.
“Good Intentions” should be promoted, taught, discussed so we can have an open dialogue. If we don’t start somewhere, nefarious behavior will continue to escalate and divide societies further and further apart.
Which is exactly why this is happening, primarily from “left-leaning” Marxist ideologies. Higher Education all the way to kindergarteners are being subjected to these “Marxist ideologies” for a specific purpose.
Not the wellbeing of a “confused 14 year old” that’s for sure.
Thank you again John. I believe you’ve touched on a topic which must be elevated to the highest levels.
John, Thanks for the gift of Hoffer. I don't remember which of his books I read 50 years ago as a farm laborerer. Hoffer described his experience as a pea picker. It left a lasting impression on me.
Mark: It's interesting to reflect what things left a lasting impression on us...
John, thank you for this. Hoffer strikes at the truth that belies the facade that we see. He is piercing in a succinct way, hit the target before you realize. This will challenge me to seek more wisdom and perhaps couple that with a bit of wit! Thank you! I will certainly pass this post along.
Kathy: Excellent!
H. L. Mencken and Ambrose Bierce wrote many wise things as well, but couched more as sarcasm or insults.
John:
Thank you for this exciting and helpful message.
Eric Hoffer is truly a genius.
We see examples of the things he says every day.
Best regards,
Doug
Dr. Lightfoot: Yes, for a simple person (a longshoreman without much education), Eric had an amazing ability to cut to the chase...
Not a simple person. Rather a deep and insightful person who led a simple life.
Van: TY for the clarification.
Some of these concepts remind me of Peter W Wood's book 'Wrath America Enraged'. There are many quotable quotes. We, who do not see anger as a virtue, try to make sense of those who appear to thrive on it and can be easily recruited by it. I think it is self-righteous godlessness, but the rage fulfills some "spiritual" need in their empty souls.
“There are many who find a good alibi far more attractive than an achievement.”
Just think about that. Doesn’t that succinctly describe the entitlement mentality?
This is exactly what humanity is up against! There’s no stopping people, who believe in this “misguided-maligned” thought process!
I believe this is why, three different peer reviewed psychological studies showed that, 2.5% of people who align with, what I’ve learned are “Leftist-Lunatics” always finding someone else to blame.
When society feels they’re the victim’s, while taking zero accountability, responsibility, this is where society falls apart.
One major example was how, Biden was “illegitimately”installed as President in 2020. Regardless of obvious amounts of evidence indicating voter fraud, etc. these same people continued to believe in 2016, President Trump was an
“illegitimate President.”
There’s overwhelming evidence to support how far off the rails of society people will go. We’ve been, as a country and as a society, torn to shreds by these same people. Anything illogical is logical in their minds. Anything wrong is right, in their minds.
How disturbing is this? Well simply put, America has never been so divided, so broken and so corrupt!
“Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.” Welcome to America. It’s safe to say “Fundamentally Transform America” is exactly what’s happening. “We the People”
Overwhelmingly voted against this. Now we must fight to “right this ship” in the correct direction and silence those who have silenced us!
May God Bless America and The Entire World!
AJR
Human society has an intrinsic oscillation, embodied by my observation:
Hard times make strong men.
Strong men make good times.
Good times make weak men.
Weak men make hard times.
The only way to avoid this oscillation is for men to remain strong in good times. That's the origin of the dictum "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."
I’ve not heard an explanation so well constructed before Van Snyder,
Certainly what’s happening to society I would expect for more people to rebut / rebel against. Unfortunately so much deep dark money has been thrown into the mix, forcing so many people to “stand-down” against such social “destructiveness.”
Thank you very much for such a perfect response for a critical turning point in society today.
AJR
AJR: Regretfully, most of what you say is accurate. IMO a major underlying problem is that these citizens are not Critical Thinkers. As such they are easily swayed by self-serving parties promoting anti-American political agendas. The solution is that we MUST quickly fix this in K-12, and strat teaching Critical Thinking to children.
Thank you John and regrettably I am dismayed why there’s so many people who can’t think or have been lead incorrectly, to become critical thinkers.
In a rush to get ready for work I realized I didn’t explain why, 2.5% of people who align with the leftist agenda are more likely to suffer from narcissistic tendencies, personality disorders, etc.
IMO, these studies made perfect sense. Simply because over the past few years many people have been saying things like “what are they nuts” or “these people are insane.”
It’s sad IMO, so many people suffer from any kind of illness, mentally as well. But these studies point a much larger problem. This problem is, as you’ve said, “K-12.”
The road back to some kind of social normative / equilibrium may or may not happen. Unless more people get involved locally. David Webb speaks of this necessity often.
Thank you John. As always I look forward to your response, insights and understandings. Most important we help each other understand.
AJR
AJR: K-12 education is like the foundation of a house. No matter how elaborate an edifice is constructed, if the foundation is inadequate, it is all for naught.
Also, John, I blame both political sides of the aisle because nobody stopping it. They’re taking society and destroying it. Nobody stepping up. I refuse to call Bob because Bob decides he wants to be a woman I will not comply and society has to stop complying with this this ideology that’s used to destroy us. It’s being done to destroy our civilization. Covid shots are killing people And they keep saying they safe and effective so there’s a bigger picture to this whole thing I want to explain. Have a great day thank you.
AJR
“Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood”
Song by The Animals
This song, title mainly explains in my mind, how disconnected a big part of society is today.
Nobody can convince me that, a 14 year old can process “Gender Politics.” Moreover, the simple fact that society has now become OK if a 14 year old decides he or she doesn’t like their sexuality and go ahead with the gender mutilation / puberty blocking, lifelong altercation of their bodies.
This is only one example. There’s plenty more, which is why the title song above is so important for people to understand.
There’s “nefarious intentions” unfortunately running roughshod around society which in general can cause, is causing “great-divide” across all Western Countries, not only in America.
Maybe, just maybe if people understand what “good intentions” actually means then maybe we can turn this insanely dangerous situation around? Maybe?
I’m convinced the psychological peer reviewed studies provide an insight well beyond the initial “feel-good” mentality we’re all being forced to go along with.
“Good Intentions” should be promoted, taught, discussed so we can have an open dialogue. If we don’t start somewhere, nefarious behavior will continue to escalate and divide societies further and further apart.
Which is exactly why this is happening, primarily from “left-leaning” Marxist ideologies. Higher Education all the way to kindergarteners are being subjected to these “Marxist ideologies” for a specific purpose.
Not the wellbeing of a “confused 14 year old” that’s for sure.
Thank you again John. I believe you’ve touched on a topic which must be elevated to the highest levels.
AJR