I agree that we all have to change because nobody will fix this mess for us. But I don't see that happening in time to save us and our planet. Today someone told me that new cars are all going to have some kind of surveillance system in them. So his solution was that we should buy old cars. Nothing about giving up cars. Christmas is on the way. Consumption season. When I talk negatively about Christmas, I am called a grinch. People are going to have to be really pressured hard to stop using fossil fuels, to stop buying buying buying, to stop wanting everything bigger so they can be better. Instead we hear about how our economy will be improved with more oil pipelines, more mines, more, more, more of everything. Until the part that they don't mention and it just disappears.
“Everyone wants change, but no one wants to change.”
That is the heart of it. We are rudderless, going wherever the winds take us. If we want to get to our destination we will have to make an effort to go in that direction. No one can do it alone. Our oppressors always band together, it’s time we do as well.
Our lives are like a movie. Or shall I say what movies taught us to expect.
Self Predictive Programming.
We are waiting for the happy ending, with no use of creative will.
We love nouns and avoid verbs.
Ever engage with Sophia? Outcomes defy cultural limits.
Covid, allowing a private central bank, making poisons legal in our food, injecting childhood vaccines ( with zero true control studies), etc, this is one long IQ Test.
As long as you are artificially protected in this cozy, comfortable false corner, being used to fund the suffering of others, make sure you are not just being fattened up for this winter's Sunday dinner.
The price of true freedom is discernment and vigilance.
The true price of the illusion of freedom, is the loss of humanity's potential.
Yes. Caitlin is so right. So rational is today's writing .......being a warning to all.
Sad to say that I do not think there is one chance in hell of seeing that which is desperately needed to be done, being done.
No, I am being negative, but the fact that we have reached this stage at all indicates quite clearly to me that we do not have the strength among all our populations to make it all stop, NOW, and to complete a 180 degree turn to start us all on the way back to a recovery. “Us”, being the world.
The once respected organisation called the United Nations this week has been yet another disgraceful confirmation of that fact, there for all to see. The fact that the UN vote at the UNSC was unamimous is a clear indication that the corrupt influence of the USA (sponsored by the genocidal Israel) is still in there, boots and all.
So off we go on yet another well planned diversion, back to 1947. In 1947, the newly formed United Nations accepted the idea to partition Palestine into a zone for the Jews (Israel) and a zone for the Arabs (Palestine). With this United Nations proposal, the British withdrew from the region on May 14th 1948.
History does repeat itself in some of the most frightening ways as Palestine, previously a British responsibility, will now become yet another US / Israel controlled military base. To the Palestinian Arabs, the area the Jews call Israel, will always be Palestine. To the Jews it is Israel. There have been very few years of peace in the region since 1948.
Now it will become a plaything for the oligarchs……with full United Nations approval.
There is a global arrangement in play based on mutual fear. The lowest denominator (Israel) threatening to use atomic weapons and low and behold the whole world falls into line. How long this status quo is going to persist depends whether we accept Zombie status or whether we feel strong enough to raise above the parapet. What or how much are we prepared to sacrifice?
Exactly. And how are Palestinians able to help themselves against an armed-and dangerous-israel when they have no way of fighting back with the same weapons as Israel has, and is given a lot of the time by American tax-payers money? Can someone tell me how they will be able like to free themselves from these leeches without outside help when the UN council has given Israel rule over Palestine? How the hell can they do it alone? I'm waiting for the answer to that question. HOW?
Dmitry Orlov's collection of essays titled "communities that abide" gives one example right in the introduction (becoming nomadic, fleeing and rebuilding somewhere safer from absolute scratch) and in that same book is another great article titled "Resilience in the face of genocide" by Jason Heppenstall.
Humans have been surviving horrific conditions and situations and rebuilding after losing everything since the beginning of our time - it's not fair, it's not right, but it's A way that individuals and some of their luckiest family members and neighbors have survived before, and will survive again.
True, but those humans were not locked in. Look what happened when some of those humans broke out - the rest have been living in hell for over two years now with no way out because israhell wants them all dead, every last man, woman and child so it can move on to takeover its other neighbours as illegal occupier - and the UN council has just opened the door for that.
I would disagree with you on your assertion that 'Canada is working to save itself'. If you observe Canadian politics, Carney is following along in Trump's footsteps bringing MORE neoliberal capitalism and 'his form of austerity' to Canada.
There has not been a SINGLE good act by Carney (who is a BANKER) that works in favor of the working class. He works for the Capitalist class - and if you don't realize this, I don't know what to tell you.
I’m Canadian and Chang is right, but it’s worse. Carney is attacking immigrants and giving police more power to spy on us and arrest us for opinions contrary to the empire. Carney is a fascist just like most western leaders.
Ron and Chang, I agree with you. I will add that most western countries are following Trump's agenda for their kind of a brave new world. The moment Trump got a nazi like ICE to strut up so called immigrants and deport them to an off shore prison, to a puppet regime, Europe was not far behind in following. The new 'bravery' is not even being covert about their racism.
Canada might be working to save itself, but then Carney steps in and puts more roadblocks in the way. More pipelines. More mines. More connections to countries that aid and abet genocide. Education would help a lot more if people were willing to be educated.
My grandmother had the recipe back in the 50s ,a backyard garden, bicycle to the market place,grandad would bring home the fish from the bay . Didn't spend what you didn't have.Now capitalism wants you to buy more,more more. Every one wants to blame someone else but not except any responsibility for there own behaviours. The old CSNY song. Teach Your Children Well.
Consumption is driving the bus over the cliff. I went to a big discount store today with my daughter and it was packed with Christmas crap — cute cups, gift sets, stocking stuffers, you name it - they had it. It’s got to stop but I don’t know how.
So what exactly do we we need to do and how are we going to do it with the madmen who own everything? How do the people get to a socialist government without getting killed?
Why do you assume it will NOT involve people getting killed? People are killed every second all around the globe for the simplest or most non-sensical of reasons. No worthwhile change in history has happened without the sacrifice of lives (unless you believe in some kind of utopia). Lenin has some good works in this regard.
Exactly. I respect Caitlin Johnson. I send funds to her monthly. I will forever do so, but she isn't the one stuck in the US. I am. And if I go out on the street attempting real change, I'm going to be six feet under in five minutes. So, I'll wait for China. Or at least better direction than the constant reminder that we are going to have to do something.
I think in the end, these articles are to serve as guides for the freshly woken.
Sad part, those of us who are awake and those of us who will wake, will always be left to toil in this way. Without substantial power backing us, we, the people, can not in fact rise up. There is literally nothing left for us to do besides expat and move to an opposing country, and then assist that country in its own empowerment. Which is literally the only thing we (proletariats) can do, because there is not legitimate elections here. There is no representation of the working class.
Anyway, Portugal seems nice this time of year. Maybe they need an English teacher.
Here's something YOU can do DIFFERENTLY to make a change -> change your CONSUMPTION habits, change your lifestyle, change WHAT you spend your money on and WHO (i.e. which corporations/organizations/etc.) you spend your money on.
There are some things that are 'out of your control', but there are ALSO some things that you have a certain amount of 'control over'.
There are many more things that one can do to impact positive change ->
(1) Think CONSCIOUSLY about HOW you use AI technologies
(2) Think about how you interact on Social Media and especially HOW MUCH TIME is lost through such networks
(3) Think about HOW your interaction on the Internet (Social Media, etc.) impacts the collection of 'behavioural data' by behavioral surveillance companies (like Google, Meta, Microsoft, etc.) to SELL your 'behavioral data' that can be exploited to either SELL you more stuff or change your behavior in ways that benefit others.
(4) Think about the environmental impacts of your lifestyle, etc.
There is much more on this list, as this is just a starting point (that I have PERSONALLY used to make changes in my lifestyle and spending habits). I try to make the most of ANY opportunity to 'stick it to the man' (i.e. corporations, levers of Capitalism, Govts., etc.).
And the keyword here is "we." We--humanity--can only pull this off if we set aside the "us versus them" pattern, which I suspect is hardwired in humans--stop fighting the other team and unite against the existential threats and--realistically--against the oligarchs who keep making things worse.
Us vs. Them is unavoidable - it seems to be a part of human nature. But what can (and should be) done is to change WHO belongs in 'us' and who belongs in 'them'.
According to me, at least 95% of humans belong in the 'us' category (the workers, proletariats, peasants, etc. - using marxist terms), while the top 1% (and the 4% that 'support' this 1%) belong in the 'them' category/group.
Either dystopia or rescue is a false choice easy to claim will never happen. Here is what does happen: change. Radical change. It starts with people, small groups, is mocked, denounced, marginalied, and finally it becomes a mass movement and succeeds. In 1989, 7 dictatorships in Eastern Europe collapsed in the face of mass protests and strikes, without bloodshed. Most said it could never happen: it happened.
And of course if you refuse to believe it can happen, it will either not happen or happen without you. So as I like to say: if you can't lend a hand, perhaps support those in Congress voting to end arms shipments to Israel, those who refuse to take Pac or corporate money, those promoting democratic socialism and you are pure to do that, get the fuck out of the way...for the times they are a changing, both on the grass roots level and on the political level.
What the examples you name--color revolutions--and also the other winners of the last 30 years in the US, mostly gays, maybe women and blacks though note all are now losing ground--is that they were not fighting against the power structure of the empire. The empire supported the color revolutions, and didn't care about stuff like gay rights. But workers' rights, or environmental defense would cost them money so THOSE could make no gains. Actually in the last few years workers have made some gains, because the grassroots, rank and file rose up and forced change.
CJ>>"Nobody's Coming To Humanity's Rescue; We've Got To Save Ourselves"
🎯💯🙏 Very True!
To add to that, Gods (of any religion) are NOT going to save us, Capitalism (in any form) is NOT going to save us, BRICS+ is NOT going to save us, crypto-currencies is NOT going to save us, solitary 'heroes' are NOT going to save us, politicians are NOT going to save us, and yes, AI technologies are definitely NOT going to save us (though they will cause considerable change, both good, bad, and everything inbetween).
Anyone that is looking towards external 'helpers-saviors' has - IMHO - either not read enough history, is a non-practical/realistic dreamer, or a moron (and I mean this factually, not derogatively).
For anyone who wants to delve deeper into this concept (modern political applications of the deus ex machina plot device), James Corbett expounds upon it in this excellent documentary: https://corbettreport.com/hopium/
The West is at war with itself and the rest of the world and sinking fast. We are facing a long dark age. The West will be a boondock spectator to the rest of the world.
Trump is pissing on a roaring fire he can't put it out-- no matter how many Cokes he drinks in a day.
Of course the "aliens" aren't coming to rescue us. Would you come to this hell hole of a planet destroyed by humans, let alone think about rescuing its inhabitants? Probably not. We don't appreciate what we have, let alone feel grateful for what we could be if we had empathy for each other.
It's time to wake up and smell the coffee of REVOLUTION and start working together on bringing about positive changes in our world. Let the "aliens" deal with their own problems!
I agree that we all have to change because nobody will fix this mess for us. But I don't see that happening in time to save us and our planet. Today someone told me that new cars are all going to have some kind of surveillance system in them. So his solution was that we should buy old cars. Nothing about giving up cars. Christmas is on the way. Consumption season. When I talk negatively about Christmas, I am called a grinch. People are going to have to be really pressured hard to stop using fossil fuels, to stop buying buying buying, to stop wanting everything bigger so they can be better. Instead we hear about how our economy will be improved with more oil pipelines, more mines, more, more, more of everything. Until the part that they don't mention and it just disappears.
“Everyone wants change, but no one wants to change.”
That is the heart of it. We are rudderless, going wherever the winds take us. If we want to get to our destination we will have to make an effort to go in that direction. No one can do it alone. Our oppressors always band together, it’s time we do as well.
The people, united, can never be defeated. But they have to put in the work. Together. Not too hopeful but never giving up.
united is the key. That does not seem to be happening
In small places at small times. But not enough
True.
Let's take direction of this Ship of Fools.
Our lives are like a movie. Or shall I say what movies taught us to expect.
Self Predictive Programming.
We are waiting for the happy ending, with no use of creative will.
We love nouns and avoid verbs.
Ever engage with Sophia? Outcomes defy cultural limits.
Covid, allowing a private central bank, making poisons legal in our food, injecting childhood vaccines ( with zero true control studies), etc, this is one long IQ Test.
As long as you are artificially protected in this cozy, comfortable false corner, being used to fund the suffering of others, make sure you are not just being fattened up for this winter's Sunday dinner.
The price of true freedom is discernment and vigilance.
The true price of the illusion of freedom, is the loss of humanity's potential.
Yes - right on all counts Caitlin.
Ant7.
Yes. Caitlin is so right. So rational is today's writing .......being a warning to all.
Sad to say that I do not think there is one chance in hell of seeing that which is desperately needed to be done, being done.
No, I am being negative, but the fact that we have reached this stage at all indicates quite clearly to me that we do not have the strength among all our populations to make it all stop, NOW, and to complete a 180 degree turn to start us all on the way back to a recovery. “Us”, being the world.
The once respected organisation called the United Nations this week has been yet another disgraceful confirmation of that fact, there for all to see. The fact that the UN vote at the UNSC was unamimous is a clear indication that the corrupt influence of the USA (sponsored by the genocidal Israel) is still in there, boots and all.
So off we go on yet another well planned diversion, back to 1947. In 1947, the newly formed United Nations accepted the idea to partition Palestine into a zone for the Jews (Israel) and a zone for the Arabs (Palestine). With this United Nations proposal, the British withdrew from the region on May 14th 1948.
History does repeat itself in some of the most frightening ways as Palestine, previously a British responsibility, will now become yet another US / Israel controlled military base. To the Palestinian Arabs, the area the Jews call Israel, will always be Palestine. To the Jews it is Israel. There have been very few years of peace in the region since 1948.
Now it will become a plaything for the oligarchs……with full United Nations approval.
Progress, over 78 long years...... zero.
There is a global arrangement in play based on mutual fear. The lowest denominator (Israel) threatening to use atomic weapons and low and behold the whole world falls into line. How long this status quo is going to persist depends whether we accept Zombie status or whether we feel strong enough to raise above the parapet. What or how much are we prepared to sacrifice?
Exactly. And how are Palestinians able to help themselves against an armed-and dangerous-israel when they have no way of fighting back with the same weapons as Israel has, and is given a lot of the time by American tax-payers money? Can someone tell me how they will be able like to free themselves from these leeches without outside help when the UN council has given Israel rule over Palestine? How the hell can they do it alone? I'm waiting for the answer to that question. HOW?
Dmitry Orlov's collection of essays titled "communities that abide" gives one example right in the introduction (becoming nomadic, fleeing and rebuilding somewhere safer from absolute scratch) and in that same book is another great article titled "Resilience in the face of genocide" by Jason Heppenstall.
Humans have been surviving horrific conditions and situations and rebuilding after losing everything since the beginning of our time - it's not fair, it's not right, but it's A way that individuals and some of their luckiest family members and neighbors have survived before, and will survive again.
True, but those humans were not locked in. Look what happened when some of those humans broke out - the rest have been living in hell for over two years now with no way out because israhell wants them all dead, every last man, woman and child so it can move on to takeover its other neighbours as illegal occupier - and the UN council has just opened the door for that.
Canada is working to save itself. More and more we realize that Russia is not our enemy! Education and understanding history are the keys!
I would disagree with you on your assertion that 'Canada is working to save itself'. If you observe Canadian politics, Carney is following along in Trump's footsteps bringing MORE neoliberal capitalism and 'his form of austerity' to Canada.
There has not been a SINGLE good act by Carney (who is a BANKER) that works in favor of the working class. He works for the Capitalist class - and if you don't realize this, I don't know what to tell you.
I’m Canadian and Chang is right, but it’s worse. Carney is attacking immigrants and giving police more power to spy on us and arrest us for opinions contrary to the empire. Carney is a fascist just like most western leaders.
Ron and Chang, I agree with you. I will add that most western countries are following Trump's agenda for their kind of a brave new world. The moment Trump got a nazi like ICE to strut up so called immigrants and deport them to an off shore prison, to a puppet regime, Europe was not far behind in following. The new 'bravery' is not even being covert about their racism.
Canada might be working to save itself, but then Carney steps in and puts more roadblocks in the way. More pipelines. More mines. More connections to countries that aid and abet genocide. Education would help a lot more if people were willing to be educated.
Lol. The Ukrainian diaspora plays a similar role in Canada that Miami Cubans do in the US.
My grandmother had the recipe back in the 50s ,a backyard garden, bicycle to the market place,grandad would bring home the fish from the bay . Didn't spend what you didn't have.Now capitalism wants you to buy more,more more. Every one wants to blame someone else but not except any responsibility for there own behaviours. The old CSNY song. Teach Your Children Well.
Consumption is driving the bus over the cliff. I went to a big discount store today with my daughter and it was packed with Christmas crap — cute cups, gift sets, stocking stuffers, you name it - they had it. It’s got to stop but I don’t know how.
So what exactly do we we need to do and how are we going to do it with the madmen who own everything? How do the people get to a socialist government without getting killed?
Step one is to do everything we can to help foment a revolutionary zeitgeist:
https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/revolution-is-now
Thank you for that. Everyone needs to read this!!!
Why do you assume it will NOT involve people getting killed? People are killed every second all around the globe for the simplest or most non-sensical of reasons. No worthwhile change in history has happened without the sacrifice of lives (unless you believe in some kind of utopia). Lenin has some good works in this regard.
Exactly. I respect Caitlin Johnson. I send funds to her monthly. I will forever do so, but she isn't the one stuck in the US. I am. And if I go out on the street attempting real change, I'm going to be six feet under in five minutes. So, I'll wait for China. Or at least better direction than the constant reminder that we are going to have to do something.
I think in the end, these articles are to serve as guides for the freshly woken.
Sad part, those of us who are awake and those of us who will wake, will always be left to toil in this way. Without substantial power backing us, we, the people, can not in fact rise up. There is literally nothing left for us to do besides expat and move to an opposing country, and then assist that country in its own empowerment. Which is literally the only thing we (proletariats) can do, because there is not legitimate elections here. There is no representation of the working class.
Anyway, Portugal seems nice this time of year. Maybe they need an English teacher.
Here's something YOU can do DIFFERENTLY to make a change -> change your CONSUMPTION habits, change your lifestyle, change WHAT you spend your money on and WHO (i.e. which corporations/organizations/etc.) you spend your money on.
There are some things that are 'out of your control', but there are ALSO some things that you have a certain amount of 'control over'.
There are many more things that one can do to impact positive change ->
(1) Think CONSCIOUSLY about HOW you use AI technologies
(2) Think about how you interact on Social Media and especially HOW MUCH TIME is lost through such networks
(3) Think about HOW your interaction on the Internet (Social Media, etc.) impacts the collection of 'behavioural data' by behavioral surveillance companies (like Google, Meta, Microsoft, etc.) to SELL your 'behavioral data' that can be exploited to either SELL you more stuff or change your behavior in ways that benefit others.
(4) Think about the environmental impacts of your lifestyle, etc.
There is much more on this list, as this is just a starting point (that I have PERSONALLY used to make changes in my lifestyle and spending habits). I try to make the most of ANY opportunity to 'stick it to the man' (i.e. corporations, levers of Capitalism, Govts., etc.).
Agreed.
I encourage spending 30-60mins/day reclaiming the locus of control (prefrontal cortex)
from those human voices feeding us a diet of hate, fear, and despair.
We become what we think and do most: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases
We can develop better thinking patterns, better behavior patterns, and better external influences.
If we want more compassion, law-abiding, and good health in our lives,
then I recommend we think about, and put into practice, what we want to believe in and be.
Less mindless thinking about hate, status, sloth, and greed, and more growing mindfulness.
Inspiration on how to do this better might come from quotes from someone you admire.
Just be aware that even the most quotable person will also make their share of mistakes (quoted).
👏👍 Thank you Niemoller's Ghost! 🙏
And the keyword here is "we." We--humanity--can only pull this off if we set aside the "us versus them" pattern, which I suspect is hardwired in humans--stop fighting the other team and unite against the existential threats and--realistically--against the oligarchs who keep making things worse.
Us vs. Them is unavoidable - it seems to be a part of human nature. But what can (and should be) done is to change WHO belongs in 'us' and who belongs in 'them'.
According to me, at least 95% of humans belong in the 'us' category (the workers, proletariats, peasants, etc. - using marxist terms), while the top 1% (and the 4% that 'support' this 1%) belong in the 'them' category/group.
Who is "we", human?
Either dystopia or rescue is a false choice easy to claim will never happen. Here is what does happen: change. Radical change. It starts with people, small groups, is mocked, denounced, marginalied, and finally it becomes a mass movement and succeeds. In 1989, 7 dictatorships in Eastern Europe collapsed in the face of mass protests and strikes, without bloodshed. Most said it could never happen: it happened.
And of course if you refuse to believe it can happen, it will either not happen or happen without you. So as I like to say: if you can't lend a hand, perhaps support those in Congress voting to end arms shipments to Israel, those who refuse to take Pac or corporate money, those promoting democratic socialism and you are pure to do that, get the fuck out of the way...for the times they are a changing, both on the grass roots level and on the political level.
dale ruff, You state that "In 1989, 7 dictatorships in Eastern Europe collapsed in the face of mass protests and strikes, without bloodshed".
Are you totally unaware that they collapsed with a little/big help from the US empire?
And in the end Russia got screwed by Putin and the Oligarchs.
What the examples you name--color revolutions--and also the other winners of the last 30 years in the US, mostly gays, maybe women and blacks though note all are now losing ground--is that they were not fighting against the power structure of the empire. The empire supported the color revolutions, and didn't care about stuff like gay rights. But workers' rights, or environmental defense would cost them money so THOSE could make no gains. Actually in the last few years workers have made some gains, because the grassroots, rank and file rose up and forced change.
CJ>>"Nobody's Coming To Humanity's Rescue; We've Got To Save Ourselves"
🎯💯🙏 Very True!
To add to that, Gods (of any religion) are NOT going to save us, Capitalism (in any form) is NOT going to save us, BRICS+ is NOT going to save us, crypto-currencies is NOT going to save us, solitary 'heroes' are NOT going to save us, politicians are NOT going to save us, and yes, AI technologies are definitely NOT going to save us (though they will cause considerable change, both good, bad, and everything inbetween).
Anyone that is looking towards external 'helpers-saviors' has - IMHO - either not read enough history, is a non-practical/realistic dreamer, or a moron (and I mean this factually, not derogatively).
Thank you Caitlin! ❤️🙏
Very well said, Caitlin—thank you.
For anyone who wants to delve deeper into this concept (modern political applications of the deus ex machina plot device), James Corbett expounds upon it in this excellent documentary: https://corbettreport.com/hopium/
See here for a clip from the intro: https://substack.com/@decensorednews/note/c-179558962
The West is at war with itself and the rest of the world and sinking fast. We are facing a long dark age. The West will be a boondock spectator to the rest of the world.
Trump is pissing on a roaring fire he can't put it out-- no matter how many Cokes he drinks in a day.
The west is in the Dark Ages and the Renaissance will be midwifed by Muslims, again.
Sorry Caitlin. The bridge has been washed out, the train is going at full open throttle, and there's no one in the cab.
Of course the "aliens" aren't coming to rescue us. Would you come to this hell hole of a planet destroyed by humans, let alone think about rescuing its inhabitants? Probably not. We don't appreciate what we have, let alone feel grateful for what we could be if we had empathy for each other.
It's time to wake up and smell the coffee of REVOLUTION and start working together on bringing about positive changes in our world. Let the "aliens" deal with their own problems!
100% AGREE with you TRC!
we need to maintain the cycle of life. Nature…..Earth should have its own, but humans may preserve, they are responsible for the damages?