“The so-called consumer society and the politics of corporate capitalism have created a second nature of man which ties him libidinally and aggressively to the commodity form. The need for possessing, consuming, handling and constantly renewing the gadgets, devices, instruments, engines, offered to and imposed upon the people, for using these wares even at the danger of one’s own destruction, has become a “biological” need." Herbert Marcuse "One-Dimensional Man"
Herbert Marcuse is a German philosopher who was of jewsih ancestry born in Berlin in 1898. During World War 1, he was drafted into the German army, but never fought only worked in horse stables. He received his Ph. D at the university of Freiburg and eventually went on to join the School of Frankfurt. which he cofounded alongside Theodore Adorno and Max Horkheimer. Here they created a new model of Critical Theory which was influenced by Psychoanalysis and Existentialism, and which sought to critique Capitalism and German Facism.During Hitler's rise to power the School of Frankfurt was shutdown and most of its philosophers fleed from the country and established themselves in Nyc. During the 1950's is when he published most of his literary achievements including:"One-Dimensional Man, Eros and Civilization, and Reason and Revolution" Herbert Marcus died in 1979 at the age of 81 on a trip back to Germany.
In the quote above, Herbert Marcuse underlines that Capitalism has "imposed" a "biological" need of wanting unto itsmembers. This "need" of wanting the newest product out in the market, slaves the people into a consumerism frenzy. Making society a slave to its production. Technology allows for faster output while Capitalism imposes a need to purchase these products in order to feel "happy." Current times prove that Marcuse was right. In today's world, we have become zombies to the newest and latest fad. We are always in a hurry to buy the newest high definition T.V. or the latest Ipad or Iphone. It seems as if we are living a repetitive never ending cycle of consumerism. Worst of all, we are unhappy when we do not buy these latest fads. Thus, leaving us with an unsatisfied want.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
"Cabinet of Dr. Caligari"
The scene: Dr. Caligari is on stage telling his audience that he will awaken the somnambulist Cesare who is completely under his control. Within seconds Dr. Caligari, orders Cesare to awaken, at which point there is a close-up on Cesare's face. A halo of light engulfs the moment in which Cesare rouses from his slumber. Cesare's facial expression is of fear and shock. He takes a few small steps, guided by Dr. Caligari's cane, and eventually stops at the edge of the stage. At which point Alan ask Cesare how long will he live, Cesare replies: "The time is short. You die at dawn"
I chose this scene because it exemplifies Karl Marx's philosophy on the Dialectic class struggle, between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. For example, Dr. Caligari's personifies the bourgeoisie class with his top hat, dark cloak and cane. All symbols of a wealthy and ruling class. On the other hand there is Cesare, a subjugated individual living in an enclosed coffin like cabinet. Cesare represents the proletariat class, always subordinates to the ruling class, and living in poverty like conditions.
Another important concept that is manifested in this scene is that of Vesica Pisces. The synthesis between two opposing forces: Dr. Caligari and Cesare. The result of this synthesis is a foreboding of a tragedy. In other words the constant struggle between both classes would result in a tragic event leading to the death of one of them, if not both.
I chose this scene because it exemplifies Karl Marx's philosophy on the Dialectic class struggle, between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. For example, Dr. Caligari's personifies the bourgeoisie class with his top hat, dark cloak and cane. All symbols of a wealthy and ruling class. On the other hand there is Cesare, a subjugated individual living in an enclosed coffin like cabinet. Cesare represents the proletariat class, always subordinates to the ruling class, and living in poverty like conditions.
Another important concept that is manifested in this scene is that of Vesica Pisces. The synthesis between two opposing forces: Dr. Caligari and Cesare. The result of this synthesis is a foreboding of a tragedy. In other words the constant struggle between both classes would result in a tragic event leading to the death of one of them, if not both.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
"Siddartha 2/20"
Qoute: "Siddhartha learned a lot when he was with the Samanas, many ways leading away from the self he learned to go. He went the way of self-denial by means of pain, through voluntarily suffering and overcoming pain, hunger, thirst, tiredness. He went the way of self-denial by means of meditation, through imagining the mind to be void of all conceptions. These and other ways he learned to go, a thousand times he left his self, for hours and days he remained in the non-self. But though the ways led away from the self, their end nevertheless always led back to the self. Though Siddhartha fled from the self a thousand times, stayed in nothingness, stayed in the animal, in the stone, the return was inevitable, inescapable was the hour, when he found himself back in the sunshine or in the moonlight, in the shade or in the rain, and was once again his self and Siddhartha, and again felt the agony of the cycle which had been forced upon him."
Displeased with all previous teachings, Siddhartha learned the ways of the Samanas, diving into deep meditation. He sought to liberate the "self" and become an empty vessel, which would recieve enlightenment and ultimately set him free from the meaninglessness of the world. In deep meditation, he learned to empty his mind of what was, is and would be. As the seasons passed and time kept going, he realized that there was no elightenment, that mediation was just a form of escape, that would inevitably lead him back to the cruel reality that he lived in.
I chose this passage because I disagree with Siddhartha on the effectiveness of mediation. I believe that meditation is not a form of escape, but, rather, a tool used to achieve the "oneness" that Siddhartha always desired. I believe that deep meditation can help calm the senses to allow a freeflow of consciouness. It also allows the practitioner to be aware of the present moment and to feel a deeper sense of unity with the universe. I have practice meditation and yoga for two years now and it has completely changed my life around. At first, I found it almost impossible to close my eyes and think of nothing, because your mind flows constantly with ideas, thoughts and memories. Then I learned to focus on my breathing, to imagine the circulation of airflow within my body. It was in that cycle, in that darkness, that I understood, that time did not exist, that the present and future were just thoughts. That nothing mattered except what I was experiencing at that moment. I felt no pain, fear or discomfort, all that was felt was peace and spiritual fufillness. Like Siddhartha, I, too came back to my reality but the "I" does not come back the same, it has changed. Perhaps, even transcended in its way of thinking.
Displeased with all previous teachings, Siddhartha learned the ways of the Samanas, diving into deep meditation. He sought to liberate the "self" and become an empty vessel, which would recieve enlightenment and ultimately set him free from the meaninglessness of the world. In deep meditation, he learned to empty his mind of what was, is and would be. As the seasons passed and time kept going, he realized that there was no elightenment, that mediation was just a form of escape, that would inevitably lead him back to the cruel reality that he lived in.
I chose this passage because I disagree with Siddhartha on the effectiveness of mediation. I believe that meditation is not a form of escape, but, rather, a tool used to achieve the "oneness" that Siddhartha always desired. I believe that deep meditation can help calm the senses to allow a freeflow of consciouness. It also allows the practitioner to be aware of the present moment and to feel a deeper sense of unity with the universe. I have practice meditation and yoga for two years now and it has completely changed my life around. At first, I found it almost impossible to close my eyes and think of nothing, because your mind flows constantly with ideas, thoughts and memories. Then I learned to focus on my breathing, to imagine the circulation of airflow within my body. It was in that cycle, in that darkness, that I understood, that time did not exist, that the present and future were just thoughts. That nothing mattered except what I was experiencing at that moment. I felt no pain, fear or discomfort, all that was felt was peace and spiritual fufillness. Like Siddhartha, I, too came back to my reality but the "I" does not come back the same, it has changed. Perhaps, even transcended in its way of thinking.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Monkey See Monkey Do
Quote:
Blind pupils. -- As long as a man knows very well the strength and weaknesses of his teaching, his art, his religion, its power is still slight. The pupil and apostle who, blinded by the authority of the master and by the piety he feels toward him, pays no attention to the weaknesses of a teaching, a religion, and soon usually has for that reason more power than the master. The influence of a man has never yet grown great without his blind pupils. To help a perception to achieve victory often means merely to unite it with stupidity so intimately that the weight of the latter also enforce the victory of the former.
I definitely agree. People in power can definitely become very influential to the extent of imposing their own beliefs unto others without questioning. Whether this is due to the gullibity of people, to the influence of the "teacher" or a combination of both, seems to bring about the notion of "monkey see monkey do." To believe in something without prior valid research, is to jump into an unknown with many vairables. Perhaps, Nietzsche highlighted the fact that religious dogmas had been too easily accepted by the multitude and that this act hindered the possibility of achieving scientific enlightenment.
In todays world, all the technological and scientific advancements that have occurred were brought about by the age of Enlightenement, the age of reasoning, and questioning. It is because of the curiosity of inquisitive minds and the adaptability for them to change that has sprout this increase in scientific advancement. Had it not been for these curious minds, maybe we'd still be stuck in the middle ages.
German Economy
Given the fact that Germany has the fourth largest nominal GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in the world and is the biggest contributer to the EU budget, one can surmise that Germany has grown into a world power becasue of it's economy. Thanks to it's highly skilled labor force and it's low unemployment rate, Germany has managed to become a leading exporter of goods including prestigious companies such as: BMW, Mercedez Benz, Addidas, Audi etc...
On January 1, 2002 Germany introduced the famous euro currency. This intergration of the Euro allowed Germany to form part of the European Union, which in turn developed a single market that abided by a standarized system of law that applied to all member states. The euro notes and currency has since replaced all national currencies. Unfortunately, the EU market is destablizing due to the budget deficits that have plagued countries such as: Greece, Spain, Portugal,and Italy. Although the introduction of the euro has allowed Germany to maintain a steadily surplus, the financial crises suffered by neighboring member states, can undermine this growth. In retalitaion to such crises, Germany has said that it will not carry the burden of another country's woes and is willing to withdraw itself from the European Union
Furthermore, in the upcoming years Germany seeks to close down all its nuclear power plants, and in turn seeks to become more energy effiecient. This is because Germany is the sixth largest consumer of Energy with 60% of it being imported. The government has also sought to lower its levels of emissions. Overall, Germany has rebounded from the post-war era, and now enjoys a stable econmic state.
German Economy
Given the fact that Germany has the fourth largest nominal GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in the world and is the biggest contributer to the EU budget, one can surmise that Germany has grown into a world power becasue of it's economy. Thanks to it's highly skilled labor force and it's low unemployment rate, Germany has managed to become a leading exporter of goods including prestigious companies such as: BMW, Mercedez Benz, Addidas, Audi etc...
On January 1, 2002 Germany introduced the famous euro currency. This intergration of the Euro allowed Germany to form part of the European Union, which in turn developed a single market that abided by a standarized system of law that applied to all member states. The euro notes and currency has since replaced all national currencies. Unfortunately, the EU market is destablizing due to the budget deficits that have plagued countries such as: Greece, Spain, Portugal,and Italy. Although the introduction of the euro has allowed Germany to maintain a steadily surplus, the financial crises suffered by neighboring member states, can undermine this growth. In retalitaion to such crises, Germany has said that it will not carry the burden of another country's woes and is willing to withdraw itself from the European Union
Furthermore, in the upcoming years Germany seeks to close down all its nuclear power plants, and in turn seeks to become more energy effiecient. This is because Germany is the sixth largest consumer of Energy with 60% of it being imported. The government has also sought to lower its levels of emissions. Overall, Germany has rebounded from the post-war era, and now enjoys a stable econmic state.
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