Well stated. I consider myself a fairly cynical guy, but I've been taken by surprise by the severity of the reaction to you-know-what, both in physical restrictions and in clampdowns on wrong-think. I was at UC Berkeley in the later 1960's, when antiwar and anti-racism emotions ran very high, but I can't recall even the most passionate of speakers demanding that their opponents be silenced. There was (I think) a confidence present which made silencing of others unnecessary: the truth as they saw it, they believed, would inevitably prevail. The frightened demands today for conformity of opinion bespeak some lurking awareness among the narrative pushers that their positions might be full of holes; indeed, it's hard to believe they're so dense that they don't KNOW their positions are full of holes. I've almost given up trying to predict when the whole edifice will come crashing down, as it's already gone on way past what I thought possible.
Thanks,, JdL. I agree with you but there is too the illusion of knowledge that blinds us to the limits of our understanding. Throw in totalitarian impulses and you have a toxic brew.
Unfortunately the same problem exists in the senior ranks of our military. Many say ten, just let me get to retirement. Thus those who might be in a position to influence discussion and evolve good decisions are silenced.
Incredibly worrying but very illuminating as well. My heart both sinks and soars when I see the way in which this will all eventually pan out once the pendulum swings back towards sanity - and The Good. United we stand - divided we fall.
We're in for tough times but The Light will once again, and eventually, overpower this current dark place in our history.
I am very sorry to read your report about NZ censorship.
This additional quote from Hayek seems appropriate: "If the feeling of oppression in totalitarian countries is in general much less acute than most people in liberal countries imagine, this is because the totalitarian governments succeed to a high degree in making people think as they want them to."
Thanks Barry for another thought provoking piece. My Linkedin account was restricted a few weeks ago so I decided to give it a break. Thankful to have found you here. Vince
Thanks for the kind note, Vincent. I'm glad you found me here. LinkedIn is throttling my posts by about 95%, so my large audience there has shrunk considerably.
Well stated. I consider myself a fairly cynical guy, but I've been taken by surprise by the severity of the reaction to you-know-what, both in physical restrictions and in clampdowns on wrong-think. I was at UC Berkeley in the later 1960's, when antiwar and anti-racism emotions ran very high, but I can't recall even the most passionate of speakers demanding that their opponents be silenced. There was (I think) a confidence present which made silencing of others unnecessary: the truth as they saw it, they believed, would inevitably prevail. The frightened demands today for conformity of opinion bespeak some lurking awareness among the narrative pushers that their positions might be full of holes; indeed, it's hard to believe they're so dense that they don't KNOW their positions are full of holes. I've almost given up trying to predict when the whole edifice will come crashing down, as it's already gone on way past what I thought possible.
Thanks,, JdL. I agree with you but there is too the illusion of knowledge that blinds us to the limits of our understanding. Throw in totalitarian impulses and you have a toxic brew.
Excellent post, as always!
Thank you, Carol.
Unfortunately the same problem exists in the senior ranks of our military. Many say ten, just let me get to retirement. Thus those who might be in a position to influence discussion and evolve good decisions are silenced.
Incredibly worrying but very illuminating as well. My heart both sinks and soars when I see the way in which this will all eventually pan out once the pendulum swings back towards sanity - and The Good. United we stand - divided we fall.
We're in for tough times but The Light will once again, and eventually, overpower this current dark place in our history.
I agree with you Shirleen. These dark times will last but a cosmic second. How long that "second" lasts though will impact us all greatly.
My youngest son wants to be a doctor and he’s a libertarian and contrarian like me. I advise him to keep your principals, don’t cave to the mob!
He will be challenged but the world will be better for his courage!
I find it very frustrating that the media in NZ will not allow alternative views regarding the treatment for Covid to be published or aired.
There is no opportunity for the 'science' to be debated and so the public follow like sheep with what the Govt and 'experts' trot out.
Thanks for the interesting and thought-provoking articles.
Thanks for the kind words, Allan.
I am very sorry to read your report about NZ censorship.
This additional quote from Hayek seems appropriate: "If the feeling of oppression in totalitarian countries is in general much less acute than most people in liberal countries imagine, this is because the totalitarian governments succeed to a high degree in making people think as they want them to."
Thanks Barry for another thought provoking piece. My Linkedin account was restricted a few weeks ago so I decided to give it a break. Thankful to have found you here. Vince
Thanks for the kind note, Vincent. I'm glad you found me here. LinkedIn is throttling my posts by about 95%, so my large audience there has shrunk considerably.
So true. Excellent thought-provoking commentary.
I appreciate the kind comment, Celestra. Thank you.