[MD] What's missing

[Khaled Alkotob]

> [Laird]
> Khaled, I hope you're right. I'd like to think that the social level is

> stabilizing, much like the other levels did before. We certainly don't 
> see a lot of biological revolution going on these days either (aside 
> from our poking and prodding at stems cells in the lab). As the 
> social  level increases its stability, hopefully people will start
thinking 
> more  abstractly as the norm rather than the exception. Then we'll be 
> ready  for some real fireworks in the intellectual level.
> 
[Khaled]
Laird, Arlo & al.

I don't know if you call it stability or complacency. I think most people
are so busy keeping their head above water, that there is no time for
either a revolt or intellectual advancement.

brings to mind the son Sixteen tons by Ernie Ford

Some people say a man is made outta mud
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong

You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said "Well, a-bless my soul"

Arlo was right in describing the US as the aristocracy of the world, and
within our own system we have our own aristocracy.

Bill Moyers described recently as the plantation mentality 

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/011807B.shtml

that is running this country. Nothing much has changed since our civil
war in the U.S., the only difference is that then you could own your
slaves out right. Today you still own their soul but make them think they
are free. 

The discovery chancel had a documentary of how casino operate their
gaming room. The lights, the smell, the color of the carpet, the noise,
the conveniences. Everything they do to make youy unaware of time, space,
and your own self.  That's what life has become. Work, spend and pretend
to be happy.

Khaled