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tama

(9,137 posts)
8. Guilt trips are your problem not mine
Tue Sep 11, 2012, 06:14 PM
Sep 2012

1) I find the whole exercise futile. If a plain statement of fact, e.g. that Western (or any other) consumerism is dependent from neocolonialist exploitation of so called 3rd and 4rh worlds associates with guilt trip and produces emotional discomfort, that is not a reason to stop speaking truth (and feeling empathy with the emotional discomfort). We know the crimes past and present and believe in the power of forgiving, not least for our own health, the issue is to stop the crimes from continuing so that we can go on living - on this planet.

2) - Fair trade as a whole is positive step, but not without problems. Nigeria producing "fair trade" flowers to European market (to get cash to pay interests on the neocolonialist debts) instead of food for local people is just one example of the problems.
- Been very closely involved in the local food movement so yes, it rings a bell.
- What about my computer? I'm not anti-technology, just anti-technocracy and hopefully you and others soon find way to make internet hardware production and upkeep sustainable material cycle. And by sustainable I don't mean bunch of poor Chinese people in extreme poverty recycling the waste from West with the risk for their health and life.
- I've mentioned also Terra Preta, but the main point is not to try to fix the problem by creating new problems but to stop causing it.

3) Liberal middle class is welcome to join but not to take over. What they choose to do is of course for them to decide.

4) Speaking in the frame of reference you brought up, European philosophy (phenomenology of Heidegger, Derrida etc. etc.) self-criticizing European metaphysics. I've read and discussed them and lost deeper interest and moved on when I found out that the core of their criticism and search has been expressed much more clearly e.g. in Buddhist philosophy.








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Really? Spivak? a geek named Bob Sep 2012 #1
You guys? tama Sep 2012 #2
okay... here we go... a geek named Bob Sep 2012 #3
New name for me tama Sep 2012 #4
One of Spivak's favorite phrases a geek named Bob Sep 2012 #5
Yes we do tama Sep 2012 #6
right... a geek named Bob Sep 2012 #7
Guilt trips are your problem not mine tama Sep 2012 #8
Tama... a geek named Bob Sep 2012 #9
Don't remember? tama Sep 2012 #10
My apologies for forgetting about Finland. a geek named Bob Sep 2012 #11
This sounded like nurturing wounds: tama Sep 2012 #12
unfortunately... a geek named Bob Sep 2012 #13
It's a sad game tama Sep 2012 #14
Tama... a geek named Bob Sep 2012 #15
I don't know Spivak (yet). Fire Walk With Me Sep 2012 #16
Spivak's a glib huckster a geek named Bob Sep 2012 #17
Hey Fire, I suggest we become managers of this forum U4ikLefty Sep 2012 #18
I don't have the time or energy to do so but if anyone would, it would be appreciated. Fire Walk With Me Sep 2012 #19
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Occupy Underground»RESIST. INSIST. STAND TOG...»Reply #8