221–230 of 340 posts
Koyaanisqatsi (1982) - made me realize the degree to which society has been mechanized, how our alienation to nature and each other is almost guaranteed if we give ourselves over to technology.
Snowpiercer Most people see this movie as a very on-the-nose example of class struggle. But I see it as a commentary on how we humans build and interact with the very system that we collectively create to sustain ourselves as a species. The system always has its apologists, supporters and opposition, but deep down all but the most extreme zealots understand that the system has to change with time or fail, and the lon…
Snowpiercer Most people see this movie as a very on-the-nose example of class struggle. But I see it as a commentary on how we humans build and interact with the very system that we collectively create to sustain ourselves as a species. The system always has its apologists, supporters and opposition, but deep down all but the most extreme zealots understand that the system has to change with time or fail, and the lon…
Maybe this is more than what people usually understand when they hear the term "class struggle" but this is actually exactly what Marx is talking about when he describes the "system" of capitalism and how all of the classes are dependent on it even though they are in conflict. This is related to the "inherent contradictions" built into the system which he also discusses. One word you mention though -- "Hypernormalisa…
Another alternative would be: 1 million people start a union, virtual nation, online commune - whatever you want to call it. They donate 5% of their income. That's used for rental property investments, until we have a decent monthly recurring income from rentals.
Then we invest in other things like members startup ideas (as long as they use a worker-coop business structure).
Eventually we pay healthcare costs for all members, and ubi. 100% of money coming back going back out to the people who created it.
We could eventually buy hospitals, drug companies etc and get a stronger hold on the medical costs as well. Flip the script so self-pay and union members get discounts, and insurance carriers pay higher premiums. Maybe we even startup our own insurance companies in all 50 states. All worker-coops. All with CEO capped pay of 10x worker average.
Essentially using a tactic called 'dual power' to wrest power away from the insurance cartel.
In the sketch, the Python gang presents a culture that values silly walks and their development and a government that sponsors their study and development. There's even a critical discussion of what constitutes an "interesting silly walk".
Mind blown.
It offered a fresh perspective where I thought, what if we look at music (ex: singing) as "silly talk". Pretty much the entire sketch would hold. I started taking art stuff less seriously which had a lightening effect on my life .. coming from a family of musicians.
Growing up, I was always pro-death penalty and never thought much about it. My parents were pro-death penalty, after all, and I always assumed their political positions were well reasoned.
Dead Man Walking depicted the horrors of the death penalty, and how it can sentence an innocent man to an irreversible punishment. And, even if the man is guilty, it is barbaric for the state to put someone to death.
I never thought deeply about the death penalty before that movie. After watching it, I understood that the only real reason for the death penalty to be inflicted is vengeance, an instinct a just society should not indulge.
My answer might sound like a joke, but I'm being sincere -- the Adam Sandler movie "Click" had a profound impact on me. I saw that movie in theatres on a total whim when I was a teenager. After watching the movie, I felt extremely emotionally affected -- I literally spent the drive home sobbing. I felt so moved by how the movie showed time passing by, especially as the main character started to lose control of how qu…
* Jiang Wen - Keep Cool https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_Cool_(film)
* Malle - My Dinner with Andre https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Dinner_with_Andre
* Jarmusch - Coffe and Cigarettes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_and_Cigarettes
Koyaanisqatsi (1982) - made me realize the degree to which society has been mechanized, how our alienation to nature and each other is almost guaranteed if we give ourselves over to technology.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Maybe this is more than what people usually understand when they hear the term "class struggle" but this is actually exactly what Marx is talking about when he describes the "system" of capitalism and how all of the classes are dependent on it even though they are in conflict. This is related to the "inherent contradictions" built into the system which he also discusses. One word you mention though -- "Hypernormalisa…
I've been going some anarch-communist rabbit holes lately. I feel I'm leaning more and more libertarian socialist. I'd accept government medicare for all, but I'm losing hope govt will ever do anything for people. Another alternative would be: 1 million people start a union, virtual nation, online commune - whatever you want to call it. They donate 5% of their income. That's used for rental property investments, unti…