tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500144491563926221.post592610575094584516..comments2023-10-30T12:12:01.337+02:00Comments on Light Scrape: Putting the mind’s eye in a bookJuha Haatajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361255734892508254noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500144491563926221.post-67918632772363702002013-01-14T22:57:09.266+02:002013-01-14T22:57:09.266+02:00Juha, when trying to fit that term in what you wer...Juha, when trying to fit that term in what you were saying, it seemed to me that you had in mind a disposability of society - and this is what I feel is the threat now. That we throw away used things is only one negative behaviour, but what I see as lacking is that common conviction that we need society: That is eroding, and in my eyes the U.S. again is the leader of the pack. The advent of liberalism in Europe (I would hope so much for a decay of this meanwhile completely hollowed out idea) made everybody wish a lean administration, a lean state, and left all thoughts of community to complete disposability. Maybe it's just a sign of wealth, but the consequences are dire. At least for those who don't have.Markus Springhttp://markus-spring.infonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500144491563926221.post-39680467233154698392013-01-14T19:31:35.807+02:002013-01-14T19:31:35.807+02:00Markus, I checked whether "disposable society...Markus, I checked whether "disposable society" is in fact a term used more widely, and sure enough it is, even though it seems to have a different meaning that I was intending.<br /><br />Apparently there is discussion about disposable/throw-away society, referring to "planned obsolescence", which is altogether another thing, although related to the endless development activities in all areas of the society.<br /><br />But perhaps the opposite term, "durable society", is a more worthwhile direction to look into: in the middle of all the changes maybe there are valuable things which would be good to preserve, even for just a while.Juha Haatajahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00361255734892508254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500144491563926221.post-69900073428615923792013-01-14T12:56:38.235+02:002013-01-14T12:56:38.235+02:00I like that expression "disposable society&qu...I like that expression "disposable society". It's probably result of the terms of the elected members and their self-obligation to produce "news" - if you change something, it will make it into TV/newspaper and you improve your chances to get re-elected. Long-term effectivity is usually out of the focus.Markus Springhttp://markus-spring.info/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500144491563926221.post-71168831879400226152013-01-13T11:14:31.376+02:002013-01-13T11:14:31.376+02:00Markus, this European-American discussion can perh...Markus, this European-American discussion can perhaps never succeed, as it seems that the American politics are so messed up that there is no room for rational arguments there. On the other hand, many educated Americans seem to be rather European in their thinking and I wonder how they cope with the sentiment there.<br /><br />No to say that the European system isn't messed up somewhat, but in a different way. <br /><br />What I see worrisome is the constant urge to make changes, to put up new initiatives, to focus on new things, never making sure that what we already have is working properly. <br /><br />There might have been an oppressive class society in existence, but now we are moving towards a disposable society where nothing lasts or works properly.Juha Haatajahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00361255734892508254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3500144491563926221.post-11247506713951734122013-01-13T00:29:35.265+02:002013-01-13T00:29:35.265+02:00Ah, I read through the lengthy comments - Andreas ...Ah, I read through the lengthy comments - Andreas is certainly fighting bravely.<br /><br />For us the European perspective on reality is the most normal thing of the world, whilst for at least half of the Americans it's not. From a historic point of view, we Europeans have come quite far in shaking off oppression and developing a society along humanistic principles. And also here we are struggling for the right balance of individual responsibility and care of the society - but I would certainly see this as a quite successful state and process.<br /><br />And it seems to me, that many U.S. Americans still see mainly those oppression mechanisms when trying to understand European society and our efforts to balance market and social responsibility, seeing in every regulation only the negative effect for the first person, not the positive aspects for the whole society.<br /><br />What you tell about the Scandinavian education system is - weaker though - certainly part of a European point of view in this sector. And I certainly see it as important to give every person a similar chance to make the best of his or her abilities, regardless of class or status. In the eyes of many Americans we are most probably at least socialists.Markushttp://markus-spring.info/blognoreply@blogger.com