Bestest picture thread evaar! (The trilogy)

[AuH20]

Last men are the ones who give lip service to universal equality but are satisfied to work little further once they achieve their own minimal dignity and material security.

Fukuyama claims that the reason neoliberal democracy is a satisfactory End of History, so Marxist Communism is unnecessary, is that men without chests on the way to becoming last men are not so offended by economic inequality that they really want further revolution. So long as their basic needs for food and flattery are taken care of. Add to that the apparent superiority of market economies over command economies for actually putting food on the table and entertainment on the eyeballs, and neoliberalism makes a fine end point for history.

The CIA bet large on this by sponsoring pet literary publications and modern art projects in the wake of Word War II. The gamble is vindicated. The American state maintained its power through every decade of the Cold War, and when an occasional outbreak of revolutionary thymos occurs today, it seems easy enough to discharge into whatever identity politics purity spiral du jour is convenient. The struggle to achieve prominence in these will rarely interfere with the deepest power structures in our society. Though many on the right assume that foundation funding of the left shows support, perhaps just as often it indicates an effort to tame.

This strategy of manipulation belies the essential tragedy of thymos in neoliberal society: for a man with the greatest desire for glory, the best way to achieve it is often to help others be satisfied in complacency.

Consumer goods manufacturers prove their genius by improving processes to lower prices, making modest life more satisfying for the less driven. Politicians drum up support by seeding resentment or entitlement when they already have a role in mind to focus and channel the public’s new desires towards their own advancement. Our most famous artists are our greatest crowd entertainers; our most famous comedians are masters of snark and self-satisfaction.

Though ever fewer remain ambitious, these few still amass power. If fewer try to consciously order their own lives, more control of their lives will come from elsewhere. Perhaps it will be a paternalistic mayor forbidding smoking and large sodas, perhaps it will be EU regulation of what had been traditional cheesemaking. Vain thymos will interfere anywhere it finds no resistance.

Therefore, far from being a path to a truly equal society, “one herd and no shepherd,” the progressive path leads again and again to oligarchy. The sheep do not mind the shepherd, really, so long as he does not herd them too clumsily. They are content to forget he exists. At worst, a red cape will suffice.

 

[Danke]

daily doge

You should not leave your bf alone with your dog.

 

[heavenlyboy34]

You should not leave your bf alone with your dog.

I was being nice to suz, danke. No need to get jealous. That doge's owner wouldn't let you near it anyway.

 

[Suzanimal]

 

[AuH20]

 

[Origanalist]

 

[Origanalist]

 

[Origanalist]

 

[Origanalist]

Is it still doge day?

 

[Suzanimal]

He seems totally legit...

 

[Carlybee]

 

[Suzanimal]

Is it still doge day?

Even though my doge has retired from dogging, I gave him a treat. I laid next to his butt hole and figured it would be a welcome surprise when he wakes up to do his bizness.

 

[Origanalist]

 

[AuH20]

 

[AuH20]

 

[AuH20]

We are to be culturally enriched with scimitars and C-4 vests.

 

[Suzanimal]

Looks like the crazy old hag staggered out of her house in her moo-moo.

 

[Origanalist]

Looks like the crazy old hag staggered out of her house in her moo-moo.

Huma needs to keep a closer eye on the crazy old bat.

 

[Suzanimal]

 

[Origanalist]

Petar?