05 FEB 2016 by ideonexus
Anarchism Extends from Socialism
Rudolf Rocker describes modern anarchism as “the confluence of the two great currents which during and since the French revolution have found such characteristic expression in the intellectual life of Europe: Socialism and Liberalism.” The classical liberal ideals, he argues, were wrecked on the realities of capitalist economic forms. Anarchism is necessarily anticapitalist in that it “opposes the exploitation of man by man.” But anarchism also opposes “the dominion of man over man....29 JAN 2015 by ideonexus
Encyclopedia Galactica
A. I do not say now that we can prevent the fall. But it is not yet too
late to shorten the interregnum which will follow. It is possible,
gentlemen, to reduce the duration of anarchy to a single millennium, if my
group is allowed to act now. We are at a delicate moment in history. The
huge, onrushing mass of events must be deflected just a little, – just a
little – It cannot be much, but it may be enough to remove twenty-nine
thousand years of misery from human h...30 DEC 2013 by ideonexus
The Printing Press is the Messiah
The printing press has come like a true Messiah to emancipate the great family of mankind from this double yoke. This Messiah is immortal, and its saving powers must be universal and perpetual. By this, and by no other Messiah, can man be saved from ignorance and misery; the only hell that he has to fear. It will prove the true Messiah of the Jew, of the Christian, of the Mahometan, and of the Pagan. It is a Messiah for all, and it will go on to unite under the name and title of Man and Citiz...It serves all religions and one should exist in every home.
11 JUN 2012 by ideonexus
Disease is the Rule of Existence
Is not disease the rule of existence? There is not a lily pad floating on the river but has been riddled by insects. Almost every shrub and tree has its gall, oftentimes esteemed its chief ornament and hardly to be distinguished from the fruit. If misery loves company, misery has company enough. Now, at midsummer, find me a perfect leaf or fruit. Find Thoreau a perfect leaf or fruit in midsummer.
14 JAN 2012 by ideonexus
A Early Definition of Human Social Progress
Disease is largely a removable evil. It continues to afflict humanity, not only because of incomplete knowledge of its causes and lack of individual and public hygiene, but also because it is extensively fostered by harsh economic and industrial conditions and by wretched housing in congested communities. ... The reduction of the death rate is the principal statistical expression and index of human social progress. It means the saving and lengthening of lives of thousands of citizens, the ext...That emphasizes a reduction in the death rate and argues that this is something we can do through education and improving the quality of life.
22 MAY 2011 by ideonexus
Misery Under Religion
The Fabrick of Superstition has in this our Age and Nation received much ruder Shocks than it had ever felt before; and through the Chinks and Breaches of our Prison, we see such Glimmerings of Light, and feel such refreshing Airs of Liberty, as daily raise our Ardor for more. The Miseries derived to Mankind from Superstition, under the Name of Religion, and of ecclesiastical Tyranny under the Name of Church Government, have been clearly and usefully exposed.Folksonomies: enlightenment
Folksonomies: enlightenment
Exposed by the enlightenment.
20 MAY 2011 by ideonexus
Predators Prevent Their Prey from Suffering
The appointment of death by the agency of carnivora, as the ordinary termination of animal
existence, appears therefore in its main results to be a dispensation of benevolence; it deducts much
from the aggregate amount of the pain of universal death; it abridges, and almost annihilates,
throughout the brute creation, the misery of disease, and accidental injuries, and lingering decay;
and imposes such salutary restraint upon excessive increase of numbers, that the supply of food
maintains per...Stephen Jay Gould quoting the Reverend William Buckland.