Self-destruction of Free Enterprise

 How long will Capitalism last?

If you read the title or heading of this post and then Google any similar phrase you will find how difficult it is for a blog like this to compete for readers. The search engine(s) discover hundreds of millions and sometimes billions of hits on similar topics.

It seems safe to conclude however that there is a clear divide here. You are either a pure unfettered Capitalist who exists to attain as much wealth as possible with zero regard for consequences, or you are a "Socialist" - especially in America. 

Later I will reference an interesting and eye opening article by John Horgan in Scientific American on the same topic. Although it and the documentary it features are frightening, they also require some reading. That is a big problem which I continually face. Today's average citizen no longer wants to read more than a Tweet. They want funny entertaining platforms like TikTok or Instagram. This topic is too big for a Tweet. Most will probably leave this post before the end but I hope you read on.

Trends are indicating that Free Enterprise Capitalism as we know it will self-destruct. It will happen right under our noses because those who are most negatively affected are too apathetic to take action. As well the very wealthy who control politicians will use all of their wealth to preserve the status quo. They will be long dead when any apocalypse occurs. Remember the phrase "History repeats itself!"

There have been many great revolutions depending upon how you define them:
Russia 1917 - 1923; French 1789 - 1799; American 1785 - 1783; Mexican 1910 - 1920; Spanish 1936 - 1939; Chinese 1949 - present day; Greek 1821 - 1829; Cuba 1953 - 1959. Some empires like the Roman and Greek and many dynasties lasted for centuries. Look at those dates - this has been happening for a very long time, not one or two generations.

One thing to notice with all of these is that the common people - the workers and have nots finally had enough. Death became a risk worth taking for their descendants and to finally punish those who had all the wealth and kept it for themselves. Another thing to note is that none of this happened overnight - it took many years of battle and carnage. Today I fear that those years are not far away .

I could cite the Industrial Revolution as the worst of all. Despite the comforts it has given many modern societies, others still struggle to merely survive. Once more, a few at the top have learned how to use industrialization to become obscenely rich, despite what it has done to our physical world and its environment. Also remember that after the environment declines to the point that most of us will not survive - and it will - the rich will prevail. They can afford to move and to buy or simply take the necessities of life from the rest of us.

So is there any hope? We have two choices.

1) Some will attempt to repeat history through a violent revolution. In America, why do you think so many want to keep their assault rifles - to shoot ducks?

2) The rest of us have to get off our asses, do the research, and vote. Start watching and reading something meaningful for a change. TikTok and Instagram are not going to fix this. YOU have to vote out the bad guys and vote in the good ones. This is the one thing missing in most of those eras mentioned above - the people didn't HAVE a vote.

Stop wasting yours.

#thebrewserblock

PS: Here is a link to that article, It mentions a documentary on Netflix that I will certainly watch. You should as well. 

Big Tech, Out-of-Control Capitalism and the End of  Civilization - Scientific American

Fascination with Other Peoples' Problems

Cameras in Courtrooms and Dr. Phil.

Why do we have such a fascination with the lives of others? Celebrities; Judge Judy and clones; Dr. Phil? If we spent an equal amount of time on bettering our own lives we wouldn't have time to bother with other people. Maybe that is the key. Being entertained is much easier than spending time improving oneself. I have no time whatsoever for celebrity gossip, Hollywood's latest, Kardashians, or who's zoomin who. Obviously I am in the minority or maybe I AM the minority.

In this post I highlight two outstanding examples of this obsession. The first is courtroom drama. The second is doctors airing their patients' problems - most notably Dr. Phil.

As stated in previous posts, I am against cameras in a courtroom. Here in Canada it is not permitted which I strongly support. With soap operas like Judge Judy (is she still on?) and Hot Bench, courtroom officials end up performing for the camera. Why? Because it is a TV show and they have to compete for ratings. More drama - higher ratings.

In more serious cases Like OJ, George Floyd's killers, Ahmaud Arbery, the same thing applies. How can a judge focus on the intricacies of the law, the case, the evidence, the jury, (if there is one), the testimony etc. knowing full well his/her every word is being heard by millions? It is like singing in the shower vs. singing at Carnegie Hall. Americans love the cameras and think this is true democracy and transparency. I think it would be like preaching from a pulpit knowing that the Pope and every Cardinal are just out of site listening to every word you say. Observation is the job of the jury, not the public and social media.

But in America the almighty dollar (maybe not so almighty anymore) still rules and boy does it generate jobs and employment! Is that really what true justice should be about? Should the trial of the century be motivated by book sales and the big chance to be a star?

I think not but please comment below.

The second focus is on shows which feature airing one's most intimate and profound problems in front of hundreds of millions of people. I am using Dr. Phil as an example because I just don't like that show or quite frankly its stars.

Obviously the show, the good doctor and his wife, the network, and the whole gang are covered legally upside down an backwards. I assume guests must sign something akin to the Magna Carta to be on the show. That also begs the question "Why do they do it?" Is the driving force financial? To me it is fundamentally wrong to have people - who might or might not be the host's patients - baring their souls to the world. How can this be medically ethical? Almost every type of doctor with which I am familiar, who has met rigorous standards to earn his/her certificate to practice, swears to keep their patients' conditions and problems confidential. Period.

I am sure those profiting from the show (note that word - show) will argue that transparency is good. It helps people to relate to symptoms and situations from which they might suffer themselves. Surely this can be done anonymously using actors rather than real people. Why not? Because the old advertising slogan "Tiny Tears cries REAL Tears" is still alive and well. Just as journalists want to get real tears in a tragic situation (the public has a "right to know") these shows make millions on other peoples' misery.

Shame on them all.

Disagree? Please comment below.

#thebrewsterblock

Gun Target Practice in your Yard

Letting off Steam by Firing Guns?

This will be brief. No-brainers usually are.

After a recent killing of family members by a man who is now being sought by hundreds of police, a startling statement was made by people being interviewed. The incident occurred after neighbour 1 asked neighbour 2 to move his target practice to the opposite side of his yard. The noise was upsetting babies in the house 1. Result? Take one of your weapons to house 1 and slaughter the complainants.

Only in America. I don't even bother ending that phrase with an explanation mark any more.

The statement that was startling to me was that it is quite common to hear people firing weapons including automatic ones in their back yard. This often happens Friday evening after a week of work. Here is the kicker - frequently they are drinking and "Just letting off steam!" Now THAT deserved and exclamation.

Let's get this straight. In America if you are drunk and drive a vehicle I presume you can be charged. But apparently you can fire off your automatic weapon in your yard while drinking. Are there ANY restrictions? Does it require a shooting range that meets some basic codes? Are there any time restrictions? Was he drinking in this case?

How about Federal laws that prohibit use of any firearm with the same amount of alcohol in your system that would be illegal while driving? Certainly enforcement might be difficult but it would be one more restriction that might save lives. I would go so far as to say that the guns should be confiscated just like cars can be and repeat offenders should suffer consequences including the forfeit and prohibition of guns

Take it one step at a time. No guns while drunk. No guns for mentally disturbed. No guns for minors. No firing after dark.

Please comment below. This should be good!

#thebrewsterblock