Of Society, Money, Power, People and Individuals
Social sciences shots
Desirability is key. It is the result of a system of personal and communitarian values defining what is suitable, respectable and alluring. And, it is the source of individual and social happiness or misery.
We should collaborate on the basis of common goals, not of common enemies.
In order to exist, rich people need lots of poor people, by the very definition of concentration of wealth in a world of limited resources.
Assuming that antagonism has been at the basis of evolution and social progress, I'd prefer antagonism to become non-conflicting, at least in human societies.
Again, to make a very rich person you'll need many poor people.
Profits should be for the people, not enterprises. It should be linked equally to time and merit. The latter should be pondered taking into consideration personal resources - capability, experience and engagement - and productivity.
Corporations should be regarded as independent kingdoms with a medieval hierarchy. National States should put more effort in protecting their people sovereignty and wellbeing.
We need techno-situationism against techno-feudalism.
Religion can be considered the opium of the people, nevertheless it is clear that drugs had and keep having their fruitfulness in the history of human development. It is also clear that drugs come with collateral effects.
How would I explain religion to my children? This is my attempt.
Faith - both related and unrelated to religion, intended as general belief in a set of knowledge and understanding - arise from the impossibility of verifying every statement and fact and of knowing how to answer to every question.
Work becomes alienating when it is too much or when you cannot significantly engage in what you are doing. Adequate rest and vacations are a must. In Italy, in the 19th Century people used to work 16 hours per day. Around the beginning of the 20th Century the hours per day were reduced to 12 and then 10. The national contracts reduced the number of hours per week to 40 at the end of the Sixties. A new reduction of the working hours is well due in the new Century's Twenties. We've got improved machines and lots of artificial tools, higher productivity and too much unemployment: we do not need to work so many hours. Also, a lot of what we produce goes directly to the dump, and this should be unacceptable.
A redistributive tax system underpins a just, peaceful, healthy and educated society. The tax rates in brackets should only be applied to capital falling on the next rung to avoid disincentives to earn a little more because you would pay more taxes. The rich should pay higher rates, even higher than 50% for the highest brackets; however, they would still pay lower rates for the lower brackets.
Reducing the number of tax brackets penalizes the poorest and rewards the richest. It is unbelievable that so-called representatives of the middle class and of the poor people are calling for a flat rate of the income tax.
A facile generalisation. For better and for worse.
The Europeans aim at unity in diversity while trying to stay at the center.
The Russian aim to be legendary while moving collectively.
The Chinese aim to follow the path while growing collectively.
The Indians aim to be visionaries while remaining open to contradictions.
The African aim to make their rhythm while trying to get rid of the exploitation-minded system.
The Americans aim to be the best while developing individually.
The Australians aim to be included while being exclusive.
People are afraid of the poors stealing their money and jobs. But in fact it is the richest who take the most from everyone.
Ethinc cleansing under our eyes. Torture, famine, violence, diseases, total dehumanisation of the opponent. When will the Israelis realise that they have become that very same horror that they have suffered?
When the reality of facts becomes irrelevant, the freedom of expression becomes a nightmare.