I was looking over some stuff I wrote ages ago (I was looking for the explanation of this blog's title and found a few other things that I figured I'd post as well.
A thought or two on Marxism: As far as Marxism goes, well, it's a step above having the Jehovah's Witnesses knock on my door, but not much. I've heard enough noise about people exploiting other people by dozens of snivelly little whiners who couldn't scrape a life together to save themselves (as well as by kids of really rich parents who wanted to Make A Statement) to last me several lifetimes.
The bottom line is that life isn't fair. The ones that it's been more generous to have a moral obligation to the others to even things out. But Marxism misses the point. I'm a successful author and an independent consultant, who works at home in a high-tech office and makes a good living doing so. I'm proud of that; it's a lot of money for someone to make without a college degree. I earn it because I'm very good at what I do, and I enjoy doing it. It's not something everyone can do, and that makes me feel good, also. And yes, I donate a lot of time, energy, and bucks to helping out those who need a hand. I'm even up to 10-1/2 gallons of blood donations.
Marxism (and Marxists) talk about the bourgeoisie, the ruling class, and the working class, none of which are the class that I belong to. Marxism just doesn't address this: a large group of independent information workers simply didn't exist when Marx was alive. The thing is that Marx may have had something intelligent to say for an industrial economy, but we aren't an industrial economy anymore; we're an information economy. The ground rules have changed.
Where this blog's name comes from: Okay, in the first Indiana Jones movie, "Eaters of the Roast Lark," there's a scene where he's pursuing the Ark in a truck and has told John Rhys-Davies and Karen Allen to drive into town and find a boat. They ask him what he's going to do and he says in that tired voice "Don't ask me; I'm making this up as I go." I always misremember it as "...go along" so that's what it is. :)
A thought of two on what I'm posting: I have opnions. They are my opinions and are therefore, by definition, Very True. They may not be your opinions, however, and you might even be offended by something I say. (Hey, it happens.) I'd like to offer the following generic disclaimer for whatever you see and read here:
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This product is meant for educational purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. Batteries not included. Contents may settle during shipment. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Postage will be paid by addressee. This is not an offer to sell securities. Apply only to affected area. May be too intense for some viewers. Do not stamp. For recreational use only. All models over 18 years of age. No user-serviceable parts inside. Freshest if eaten before date on carton. Subject to change without notice. Times approximate. Simulated picture. No postage necessary if mailed in the United States. Breaking seal constitutes acceptance of agreement. For off-road use only. As seen on TV. One size fits all. Contains a substantial amount of non-tobacco ingredients. Colors may, in time, fade. We have sent the forms which seem to be right for you. Slippery when wet. For official use only. Edited for television. Keep in a cool, dry place. Post office will not deliver without postage. Not responsible for direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect, error or failure to perform. At participating locations only. Not the Beatles. Penalty for private use. Substantial penalty for early withdrawal. Do not write below this line. Lost ticket pays maximum rate. Avoid contact with skin. Sanitized for your protection. Employees and their families are not eligible. Contestants have been briefed on some questions before the show. Limited time offer, call now to insure prompt delivery. You must be present to win. No passes accepted for this engagement. No purchase necessary. Processed at location stamped in code at top of carton. Use only in well-ventilated area. Keep away from fire or flame. Replace with same type. Approved for veterans. Some equipment shown is optional. Price does not include taxes. No Canadian coins. Not recommended for children. Reproduction strictly prohibited. No solicitors. No alcohol, dogs or horses. Restaurant package, not for resale. Call toll free before digging. Driver does not carry cash. This supersedes all previous notices.
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There's a wonderful quatrain from (of all places) the final episode of the old Carol Burnett show: "When confronted by a foe, bless her, praise her, let her go."
I think I'll close with a really optimistic thought. It's a line out of an otherwise undistinguished movie called "Rollover," starring Jane Fonda and Kris Kristofferson. Kristofferson is a financial genius who's been called in to look at a bank that's failing. The president is sloughing and says "Well, it's the system. You can't beat the system." Kristofferson replies by saying "That's your problem. You and everybody else keeps thinking it's a system. It's not. It's a game. You can't beat the system... but you can win a game."
It's all a game.
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