Totalitarian is a imperialist nomenclature to justify fascism while keeping on attacking people's driven dictatorships.... the ones the West cannot tolerate..... so tired to hear this yet again, I was disgusted by Arendt, now ever more by Desmet who like any Westerner cannot distinguish between the benefit of people's driven dictatorships and fascist one like the ones the West always support, WEF being latest model. NB: mass formation does not occur by itself, since 1917 the West has been full blast on propaganda against people's driven govts. and 'dictatorships' ..... the approach has many blind spots..... a note: People's driven dictatorships have been under attack by empire since their emergence, so to equate Nazism pogroms which had empire support to cleansing of traitors who sided with empire ready to betray the people's will in USSR is childish at best. Desmet is trying but because he ignores all the blind spot is a poor approach. My M.Phil was a study on Western propaganda during WW2, both in the US and Europe. So propaganda is a key factor overlooked by Desmet in the normalization of mass formation, if I may say. In addition trauma bonding which he addresses only works because authoritarianism within the West has been built in via school system, as belief in authority, not belief in each other.... and working with each other to overcome challenges.
Yes, I understand how language can be manipulated, particularly by a nation as powerful as the U.S. but I don't see where or how Desmet is justifying fascism in any way. Did you listen to the full interview?
I hear you about propaganda. Two of my books are annotated studies of propaganda (particularly war-related). However, I don't see Desmet as ignoring this factor. Plus, of course, there's only so much we could cover in a 38-minute interview. His book is far more nuanced and comprehensive and I just don't hear him implying that mass formation occurs by itself.
All that said, I very much appreciate your commentary and will have to ponder more deeply on this.
Thanks..... I am not buying the book, I fear it will be another Arendt style disappointments. PS , I had to read Arendt at University and thankfully I used library instead of buying book, as it was not worth it in my list. I think Michael Parenti inventing reality is way more precise than Desmet on the issue, and also role of MSM - and propaganda, are better addressed.
I quite enjoyed listening to Desmet! He speaks eloquently on the emotional dimension of totalitarianism. I found myself a little spooked by his description of people who feel like they're working a "bullshit" job with no meaning, and the role this plays in creating "free-floating anxiety," because I certainly feel this way. It's good to be made aware of these psychological factors BEFORE they lead to mass formation psychosis. Thank you for having this wonderful guest on Post-Woke!
Thank you, Alicen, and I feel you on your response to the concept of free-floating anxiety. You also zeroed in on why I primarily wanted to have him on the show. I felt his expertise and approach could provide some solace to so many of us who are trying to figure out what's been going on -- particularly since March 2020.
It definitely provided solace! I actually commented before I was finished listening, so now that I'm done, I also want to say that I appreciate his articulation of how reality is NOT rational!!! I say this all the time on HologramPress, and it's very encouraging to hear an academic speaking on this as well. Attempting to confine reality to strict rational/material parameters is part of the reason we're in this Transhumanistic mess to begin with. We NEED to open our hearts and get in touch with our Spirit, if we want to make a real positive change in this world!
You just zeroed in on the other reason I wanted to interview him! I found the last 10 minutes or so of what he said to be so inspirational...and rare! And for anyone following this thread, the Hologram Press Alicen refers to can be found here: https://hologrampress.com
Thank you for sharing, BH. Perhaps, while residing in the present moment, we can still our part in creating a better future.
Totalitarian is a imperialist nomenclature to justify fascism while keeping on attacking people's driven dictatorships.... the ones the West cannot tolerate..... so tired to hear this yet again, I was disgusted by Arendt, now ever more by Desmet who like any Westerner cannot distinguish between the benefit of people's driven dictatorships and fascist one like the ones the West always support, WEF being latest model. NB: mass formation does not occur by itself, since 1917 the West has been full blast on propaganda against people's driven govts. and 'dictatorships' ..... the approach has many blind spots..... a note: People's driven dictatorships have been under attack by empire since their emergence, so to equate Nazism pogroms which had empire support to cleansing of traitors who sided with empire ready to betray the people's will in USSR is childish at best. Desmet is trying but because he ignores all the blind spot is a poor approach. My M.Phil was a study on Western propaganda during WW2, both in the US and Europe. So propaganda is a key factor overlooked by Desmet in the normalization of mass formation, if I may say. In addition trauma bonding which he addresses only works because authoritarianism within the West has been built in via school system, as belief in authority, not belief in each other.... and working with each other to overcome challenges.
people's republics.
Yes, I understand how language can be manipulated, particularly by a nation as powerful as the U.S. but I don't see where or how Desmet is justifying fascism in any way. Did you listen to the full interview?
listening, not impressed by him, yet......
I hear you about propaganda. Two of my books are annotated studies of propaganda (particularly war-related). However, I don't see Desmet as ignoring this factor. Plus, of course, there's only so much we could cover in a 38-minute interview. His book is far more nuanced and comprehensive and I just don't hear him implying that mass formation occurs by itself.
All that said, I very much appreciate your commentary and will have to ponder more deeply on this.
Thanks..... I am not buying the book, I fear it will be another Arendt style disappointments. PS , I had to read Arendt at University and thankfully I used library instead of buying book, as it was not worth it in my list. I think Michael Parenti inventing reality is way more precise than Desmet on the issue, and also role of MSM - and propaganda, are better addressed.
I quite enjoyed listening to Desmet! He speaks eloquently on the emotional dimension of totalitarianism. I found myself a little spooked by his description of people who feel like they're working a "bullshit" job with no meaning, and the role this plays in creating "free-floating anxiety," because I certainly feel this way. It's good to be made aware of these psychological factors BEFORE they lead to mass formation psychosis. Thank you for having this wonderful guest on Post-Woke!
Thank you, Alicen, and I feel you on your response to the concept of free-floating anxiety. You also zeroed in on why I primarily wanted to have him on the show. I felt his expertise and approach could provide some solace to so many of us who are trying to figure out what's been going on -- particularly since March 2020.
It definitely provided solace! I actually commented before I was finished listening, so now that I'm done, I also want to say that I appreciate his articulation of how reality is NOT rational!!! I say this all the time on HologramPress, and it's very encouraging to hear an academic speaking on this as well. Attempting to confine reality to strict rational/material parameters is part of the reason we're in this Transhumanistic mess to begin with. We NEED to open our hearts and get in touch with our Spirit, if we want to make a real positive change in this world!
You just zeroed in on the other reason I wanted to interview him! I found the last 10 minutes or so of what he said to be so inspirational...and rare! And for anyone following this thread, the Hologram Press Alicen refers to can be found here: https://hologrampress.com
Excellent interview. Very interesting. Thanks Mickey.
Thank you, Allyn, for listening and supporting!