Noam Chomsky on the cruelty of American imperialism

Re:Noam Chomsky on the cruelty of American imperialism by readonthegoapp on Sunday September 26, 2021 @09:22AM (#28660675)

i think some very small contingent of often-extraordinarily rich and powerful -- and, therefore, comparatively-loud -- people either believe or claim to believe that humans are selfish/evil.

the fact that someone would have to write a book to countervail that claim shows the incredible power of those few people.

then again, we have folks like Steven Pinker, who - i don't know what his actual views on human nature are - but he definitely seems to be convinced that everything is getting better all the time - despite what seems to me to be at best a mixed record, and from here on out is going to be...challenging.

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Re:Noam Chomsky on the cruelty of American imperialism by raxxorrax on Monday September 27, 2021 @04:56AM (#28668525)

There are reasons why you believe this if you disproportionally own more than thousands combined. Even just for yourself you need some justification. What better than to declare humanity evil, constrained by its nature? Makes you sleep better at night and can justify anything you have done. It was just your nature.

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Re:Noam Chomsky on the cruelty of American imperialism by tapgnid on Wednesday September 29, 2021 @01:52AM (#28690685)

Thanks for Pinker, I'll add it to my list. Would the primary book be: The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined?

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Re:Noam Chomsky on the cruelty of American imperialism by readonthegoapp on Wednesday September 29, 2021 @05:09AM (#28691685)

i actually don't know his primary book - but that one sounds reasonable enough - that was definitely one of his reasons why he said the world was getting better.

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Re:Noam Chomsky on the cruelty of American imperialism by browningstreet on Tuesday September 28, 2021 @11:37PM (#28690053)

Honest question: did you read Pinker’s book?

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Re:Noam Chomsky on the cruelty of American imperialism by readonthegoapp on Wednesday September 29, 2021 @06:31AM (#28692028)

no.

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