Channeling George Carlin in these difficult times.

I'm feeling down in the dumps these days, and much of my mood is caused by following "the news." When I do this, I see that on the national level we are represented by a people functioning as psychopathic ignoramuses, with very few exceptions. That’s what our political system does to virtually every person who goes to Washington. We've designed an electoral system almost guaranteed to repulse any honest and decent human being. I don't like to think these thoughts, because letting these ideas soak into much will cause one to stop trying, and I truly despise the idea of not trying. As I battle my own dark thoughts about America and its political "leaders," I'm almost finished reading a 900-page collection of George Carlin's writings titled An Orgy of George. I’m thinking that it might be healthier to let Carlin articulate my dark thoughts so that I can move on to more positive ideas (Carlin can also be upbeat and playful--If you've enjoyed his stand-up routines, you'll enjoy much of this book). In other words, I have recently been engaging in a Carlin catharsis, and here are some of Carlin's thoughts that seem the most sardonically vivid to me in these difficult times (the following passages, tiny passages from a huge book, are quotes): If you want to know how fucked up the people in this country are, just look at television. Not the programs, not the news. The commercials. Just watch only the commercials for about a week, and you'll see how fucked up the people in this country really are. [Page 225] Think of how it all started: America was founded by slave owners who informed us, "All men are created equal." All "men," except Indians, niggers, and women. Remember, the Founders were a small group of unelected, white, male, land-holding slave owners who also, by the way, suggested their class be the only one allowed to vote. To my mind, that is what's known as being stunningly--and embarrassingly--full of shit. And everybody bought it. All Americans bought it. [Page 304] And those same Americans continue to show their ignorance with all this nonsense about wanting their politicians to be honest. What are these cretins thinking? Do they realize what they're wishing for? If honesty were suddenly introduced into American life, everything would collapse. It would destroy this country, because our system is based on an intricate and delicately balanced system of lies. [Page 304] When the United States is not invading some sovereign nation--or setting it on fire from the air, which is more fun for our simple-minded pilots-we're usually busy "declaring war" on something here at home. Anything we don't like about ourselves, we declare war on. We don't do anything about it, we just declare war. "Declaring war" is our only public metaphor for problem solving. We have a war on crime, a war on poverty, a war on hate, a war on litter, a war on cancer, a war on violence, and Ronald Reagan's ultimate joke, the war on drugs. More accurately, the war on the Constitution. [Page 386] [More . . . ]

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It’s time for Amazon to start paying sales tax

America has a long track record or the dangers of monopolies. With the closing of Borders, Amazon is one step closer to becoming a monopoly. At Mother Jones, Kevin Drum makes a strong case that Amazon maintains its position of strength thanks to the fact that it doesn't collect sales tax.

For all its talk of technology and convenience and selection, Amazon basically stays in business because it can charge slightly lower prices than brick-and-mortar stores. A level playing field might be good for state coffers and the schools and police officers they support, but to Amazon that doesn't matter. It's nothing personal, mind you. Just business.
Local bookstores are more than commercial enterprises. They are social institutions, where people meet, share ideas and organize. This pertains especially to independent book sellers, but it occurs at all bookstores because they tend to attract open-minded socially responsible people. If we don't stop the current trend, the market will be completely dominated by a cyber-bookshop, leaving local communities in the lurch.

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About high school misfits

A couple of years ago, I raised the topic of high school misfits. As I recall more than a few authors of this site commented that they had been high school misfits, or “outsiders.” The June 20, 2011 issue of Time Magazine includes an article titled “Life After High School,” that has some interesting things to say about high school misfits. Before getting to the misfits, what do long term studies say about the kids who were popular in high school?

[R]ecent research suggests that popularity isn't entirely positive. Belonging to the cool crowd is associated with higher rates of drinking, drug use, sexual activity and minor delinquency during adolescence.
What can you say about the kids who are academically successful in high school?
[P]revious analyses have overstated the role of intelligence in economic success. Hard work and the development of capacities like conscientiousness and cooperation also matter for success--not to mention personal satisfaction and fulfillment.
Finally, what is the current thinking about high school “outsiders”?  Alexandra Robbins, author of the new book, The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth, argues that high school students

“will be well served in adult life by the same characteristics that made them unpopular in high school. She calls this premise "quirk theory" and describes it this way: "Many of the differences that cause a student to be excluded in school are the identical traits or real-world skills that others will value, love, respect or find compelling about that person in adulthood and outside the school setting."

There.  Doesn't that make you feel better?  While your popular classmates were playing around, you were getting ready for the real world.   And further, as suggested by this same article, outsiders often avoided social activities (or they were excluded), leaving them more time for serious study.

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