BS: why nations are dividing? A thought

Subject: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 03:52 AM

Just a thought but

In rich countries where there is plenty, we get choice. eg:

Food supply less tied to the seasons.
Plethora of radio and TV channels.
Mobility of labour - the motor car.
etc

Along with all the benefits of these we have lost the sense of community. When we had a couple of radio/TV channels we conversed on the same subjects. We went to work on the same buses. Down to the village/community hall for entertainment. Knew and cared about each others' woes.

I know from my own interests - my tribe is based more on genre than geography, despite regularly singing and dancing what would once have been good fare for the local pub or hop.

In short, this is the thin end of the wedge that at the thick end we would call hedonism. No wonder rich nations are more divided than ever. I don't see it changing without some catastrophe to rally the troops.

And I don't perceive what the catastrophe will be, or when.

Your predictions ............?

Subject: RE: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 04:02 AM

The internet will fail and that will be the end of civilisation as we know it :-)

Subject: RE: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: Senoufou
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 04:13 AM

That's so true Mr Red. I've been thinking along the same lines for many years. Too many choices, too much 'diversity' and no corporate identity. No social cohesion.

Most Africans on the other hand lead simple lives with few possessions and hardly any 'choices'. They have a rock-solid community spirit and family solidarity. Everyone knows 'who they are' and are familiar with their own culture, and no other.

It makes for insular attitudes and conformity, but the benefits are many. Nobody has to bear loneliness. Old, bereaved or frail folk are tenderly cared-for by everyone. No-one doubts their role or place. Children are far calmer and better-behaved (not demanding the latest trainers or technology!)

Of course the deprivation is appalling and we'd probably die within a week if forced to live as they do. But I've seriously considered going 'out there' to end my days in Africa.

Subject: RE: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 04:35 AM

I sometimes think we in California would be better off as a separate nation, apart from all those horrible people who elected Trump. And then I remember that I live in a county that overwhelmingly voted for Trump, and I wonder where I'd be if their power weren't diluted by a nation. Most likely, my county would Bremain, and I'd be in the State of Jefferson.
So, I dunno. Guess I'll stay in the U.S., instead of in the Sovereign Republic of California.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: Senoufou
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 05:07 AM

Ah Joe, that's a very good point. Africa suffers badly from dictatorships and lack of political diversity and freedom. It makes for corruption, and their leaders go unchallenged (until civil war breaks out, as in Ivory Coast fairly recently!)

Political totalitarianism is a different kettle of fish to social/cultural cohesion isn't it?

Subject: RE: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: Donuel
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 06:02 AM

Joe your economy is the largest in the nation so it does speak with a big stick.

I first noticed a silence in the car when my wife got connected to her phone. Then I noticed a silence in the neighborhood. All the bile of social media came next. Here we are

Mr Red the US shut down shows vividly what a collapse will look like.

The Russia plan to divide countries/NATO is such a success I am shocked.

Subject: RE: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: Donuel
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 07:25 AM

After a long and detailed post went pfft I'll just say thiw.

hitler never did better than when unemployment was highest.

Subject: RE: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: Mrrzy
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 08:38 AM

Also the Internet. Brought people's differences together. Polarizing.

Subject: RE: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 08:39 AM

I think we can learn a lot from kangaroos.

Subject: RE: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: Thompson
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 08:47 AM

Most people who want to wall out their country (or my country, anyway) think the immigrants are going to dilute our nationhood. Why these great red-faced, thick-necked blobs imagine they're so attractive that they'd be irresistible to those golden-skinned, sleek people they fear is a mystery to me.

Subject: RE: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: Mossback
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 10:25 AM

I live in a county that overwhelmingly voted for Trump

Belongs in the "fake news" thread. In point of fact, the country voted overwhelmingly (by several millions) for Clinton.

Subject: RE: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 11:56 AM

But Placer COUNTY California voted overwhelmingly for Trump, and seems to have significant support for secession from California.

Subject: RE: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: keberoxu
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 03:59 PM

More specifically, Mr. Red, the "choice" to which you refer
favors "convenience"
and so, when convenience is one of the options,
convenience becomes one of the primary considerations
even when it is unintentionally chosen.

Subject: RE: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: Mossback
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 08:10 PM

But Placer COUNTY...

Sorry, I mis-read.

If those clowns still support the POS in the White House after the last two years, my advice is MOVE and the sooner the better. You don't want to be caught dead in Placer County when the son of a bitch is impeached.

As for secession,that was taken care of in 1861-1865 & it can be dealt with the same way today.

Subject: RE: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Jan 19 - 08:44 PM

Marshall McLuhan and others had such high hopes for a time when global communications would unite people in a "global village." None of them foresaw the division and enmity a culture of anonymity would cause, or how easily it could be exploited. Farewell, global village! Farewell, Omega Point! Hello, Balkanization of the world!

Subject: RE: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: keberoxu
Date: 20 Jan 19 - 07:52 PM

What I suspect will really happen,
is that the global village will form outside of the US,
and the US will have to follow somebody else's example.

There is, after all, a whole wide world out there.

Subject: RE: BS: why nations are dividing? A thought
From: keberoxu
Date: 23 Jan 19 - 10:45 AM

It won't surprise me if
the continental 48 states of the USA
go through a permanent division at some point.
Population growth has much to do with it.
There are just too many people,
too many centers of industry,
too much darned traffic ...

Our part of North America has always had polar opposites and conflict,
there is nothing remotely new in that.
What is more to the point is the sad opinion
of Yeats about his Ireland:

"Great hatred, little room,
Maimed us from the start.
I carry from my mother's womb
A fanatic heart."

A single centralized power/government can do so much,
and no more, while the population grows and grows.
I don't know if I'll be here to see it,
but at some point,
the continental 48 will have more than one government,
and the border will be,
not only at Mexico,
but within the 48 somewhere.