Move Over Trump Derangement Syndrome, Here Comes Bernie Derangement Syndrome

There is a virus poised to sweep across our nation in the ensuing months, one which has the potential to cause untold damage. No, I’m not talking about the coronavirus, which I suspect will be forgotten about long before this one reaches critical mass. I’m talking about BDS (Bernie Derangement Syndrome), a permutation of TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome). Purported to be even more incapacitating than TDS, early cases are already popping up around the country.

Like Trump Derangement Syndrome, Bernie Derangement Syndrome is especially contagious to those who are of an advanced age or antiquated mindset. The young appear to be mostly immune to BDS, although those who are already suffering from affluenza are likely to show symptoms. Curiously, immigrants from other advanced nations such as the Nordic countries and Canada are almost entirely safe from contracting BDS, one theory being that they have been inoculated and therefore don’t fear they are going to die from it.

Early signs indicate that BDS might be every bit as harmful as the 2016 outbreak of TDS was. What’s even more disturbing is that, while only people in blue states tended to contract Trump Derangement Syndrome, people from both red and blue states are capable of catching the BDS virus. Assuredly, Republicans have been shown to react most violently to it, but Democrats are not immune. One example is a recent outbreak in the MSNBC studio, where Chris Matthews, Joy Reid, and James Carville came down with especially bad cases of it, making one wonder if they do not have some undiagnosed predisposition to BDS or a closer than suspected genetic similarity to Republicans.

This will surely be a crushing blow to those unaffected few on the Left who are no longer comfortable associating with their liberal friends for any length of time because of the unpleasant side effects of TDS (disturbing wild-eyedness, incoherent raving, inability for self-reflection or self-care, shouting RUSSIA frequently at high decibels). In the last four years, many of us who have not fallen sick from TDS have sought solace among conservatives who at least still have some capacity for humor and frank discussion.

Like many of you, I have lost a lot of friends and relatives to TDS since the initial outbreak. It had been my hope that people on the right might have developed some sort of immunity to this and similar illnesses that are spread by the corporate media. Although many on the right were themselves suffering from TAS (Trump Adoration Syndrome), it was my hope that this was merely a reaction to their withdrawal from corporate media. I, clearly naively looking back on it, believed that Republicans were capable of kicking their addiction to being told what to think by corporate media-funded authority figures, and were foolishly but earnestly taking their first steps towards seeing the world through their own eyes. Sadly, early cases of Bernie Derangement Syndrome are proving that this is clearly not the case.

At the present time, there is little that experts can tell us about how to prevent this impending outbreak of Bernie Derangement Syndrome. Corporate media and the culture that has risen from it has created a fertile breeding ground for such a virus. The best we can do for the moment is to avoid areas where likely carriers of BDS tend to congregate (FOX News, AM talk radio). As with Trump Derangement Syndrome, it is absolutely vital that you avoid corporate media, as it is a cesspool where all kinds of deadly diseases are birthed. There is little medicine available other than humor, context, and self-reflection that have been effective against TDS, and it is likely no different with BDS.

So while there is little you can do to prevent the spread of Bernie Derangement Syndrome, let me explain to you what will assuredly be coming in the next few months. Be prepared for those who were willing to give Donald Trump a pass on everything from mocking cripples and saying he could shoot someone in broad daylight and get away with it to find in every statement made by Bernie Sanders an indication that he is exposing his inner Pol Pot. Get ready for Sanders to be compared to Joseph Stalin AND Adolph Hitler in the same breath. Because if there’s one word that triggers Republicans more than “Clinton”, it’s “socialism”. It doesn’t matter that they’ve received their mail for generations through socialism, it doesn’t matter that their roads are paved and their water is supplied by socialism. It doesn’t matter if they get a check from the U.S government every month or that the government helps pay their medical expenses. Don’t ask for it to make sense, it’s part of the derangement.

Our one hope is that they, like so many Europeans, are exposed to the "radical" kind of socialism Bernie Sanders proposes and discover they like what they get. Things like healthcare that does not lead to bankruptcy, college education that does not lead to a lifetime of repayment, or paid time off when you’ve given birth to a child. If not, get ready for the cries of "PUTIN!" to be joined by cries of "LENIN!" In that case, my advice would be to forget about buying a coronavirus mask and invest in some earplugs instead.

My Thoughts On Tulsi Gabbard and Bernie Sanders

As another presidential election approaches, we see the various elements involved in the democratic process taking shape. Oh, you have to look for it behind the cheating and manipulation, but it’s still there. We watch as various candidates jostle for position. Even in a perfect democracy, candidates would act like chickens at the feed trough, figuring out the pecking order in a mad rush.

As I said, this is all taking place while massive corruption and blatant power plays are trying to take the decision-making power from us, contemptuous of the democratic process. Within that democratic process, the candidates have to take on the corruption. But they have to do so in the messy process that is democracy. Many people believe that the only way to rid the process from corruption is to remove it from the messy process. They speak about politics from a theoretical position with little regard for the reality. Of course, there are those who only see the reality and are quick to bow to the manipulation and power. But those who hope to accomplish real change, real strengthening of our democratic system, must live somewhere between the drab reality and the beautiful dreamworld of the theoretical.

Which is all simply my introduction to speaking about Bernie and Tulsi. And Yang, though my personal candidates of choice are Bernie and Tulsi.

Tulsi stands up for all of the right things. She makes courageous statements even Bernie does not come near, saying she would stop the persecution of Julian Assange and forcefully condemning the attempted coup of Maduro in Venezuela. Hell, she knows all the words to John Lennon’s Imagine! It’s hard to find a reason why I wouldn’t prefer her over any other candidate, unless I was one to give credence to anything the corporate media has to say.

The unfortunate reality, however, is that the corporate media does have a great deal of influence over what the American public believes. Their attacks on Tulsi have been effective enough to kill any momentum her campaign might have had, despite the fact that her appeal reaches across the political spectrum and reaches deeply into the hearts of those who agree with her. Sadly, voting for Tulsi at this point would be a vote of protest. I am not one who's afraid of casting such a vote, (of which I shall say more later), but it is a decision not to be made lightly.

While Bernie was an amazing breath of fresh air in 2016, speaking about issues that have been ignored by other politicians, there have been more than a few moments when Bernie has failed to rise to standards we expect of him. He has repeatedly thrown supporters and allies under the bus when the media attacked them (Matt Orfalea, Cenk Uygar, etc.), has been weak on his condemnation of U.S. intervention in other countries’ politics, and has of course muttered the word Russia more times than many of us would like.

But here’s the deal: Bernie has a shot, a real shot, of becoming our next president. And the establishment media and the establishment Democrats and Republicans are going to do everything in their power to prevent that from happening. In truth, they have been for over four years now. And despite that, Bernie still has a real shot of becoming our next president. That would be a remarkable achievement and a remarkable shifting of the political narrative. I think this is a battleground that is favorable to those of us on the left who are looking for meaningful change, and I think it is one that could prove a significant moment in the war. I think this is the place where we have to throw the greatest amount of our efforts and attention right now.

I regret shifting my focus from a candidate I appreciate as much as I do Tulsie, but I realize the shift in attention is merely a short-term one. It is pretty obvious that Bernie is not the long-term future of our movement but merely the most opportune tool of the moment. Supporting Bernie does not require abandoning Tulsi, it is merely a realization that she is a MAJOR weapon that will be of immense value to us in the future but is currently not positioned to be maximally effective. And that future is not and should not be projected at any great distance. It is my hope that Tulsi will not only help Bernie’s election by supporting him and convincing many of her supporters to do the same, I also hope that she will continue to fight for the positions and values she has been addressing and forcing Bernie to address them as well.

Indeed, it is my great desire to see Bernie choose her as his Vice President. I believe it would be a great mistake for him not to. It is the perfect balance, her being both young and a female of color with a military background. This should be enough to gather votes from those separate constituencies, and as much as I dislike it personally, identity politics cannot be denied.  Further, her inclusion on the ticket would dull the edge of those on the Right who are fond of painting anything remotely smelling of socialism as being anti-American. There are many of the Libertarian bent and even many Trump supporters who like and support Tulsi Gabbard. The image of Trump voters as a bunch of goose-stepping Nazis is a little far-fetched, they are far more diverse than Democratic leaders would have you believe. The main source of dislike of Tulsi Gabbard stems from the corporate media that has never opposed war or imperialism, as well as those whose brains are seeped in the narrative the media spews.

It all seems quite clear to me, revolutions are never won in a single battle. Bernie is the first stage in the movement, his election being an immense step forward. Tulsi being the second stage, her run for president ready to go in 2024 when Bernie’s age prohibits him from running again. One need not view support for Bernie as a betrayal of Tulsi. I believe showing support for Tulsi can go hand in hand with support for Bernie so long as we continue to express that we support Tulsi and force Bernie to acknowledge the issues she supports and the bravery she shows in supporting them.

P.S. Lest I be accused of being one of those who’s always willing to compromise when voting for president, let it be known that I voted for Ralph Nader in 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008. I also voted for Jill Stein in 2016. I did vote for Barack Obama in 2012, when the Republicans got a little too crazy. I’m not afraid to fight for an unpopular cause and believe a protest vote counts more than a vote that merely capitulates.

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The Twelve Days Of Christmas (As Sung By Donald Trump)

Sung by Donald Trump

On the first day of Christmas, the Democrats gave to me

A Russiagate Conspiracy

On the second day of Christmas the Democrats gave to me

An Iowa debacle and a Russiagate conspiracy.

On the third day of Christmas the Democrats gave to me

Money for my wall, an Iowa debacle and a Russiagate conspiracy.

On the fourth day of Christmas the Democrats gave to me

Another crappy NAFTA, Money for my wall, an Iowa debacle and a Russiagate conspiracy.

On the fifth day of Christmas the Democrats gave to me

My Own Space Force

Another crappy NAFTA, Money for my wall, an Iowa debacle and a Russiagate conspiracy.

On the sixth day of Christmas, the Democrats gave to me

Applause for my bombing, My Own Space Force

Another crappy NAFTA, Money for my wall, an Iowa debacle and a Russiagate conspiracy.

On the seventh day of Christmas the Democrats gave to me

700 billion for the military, Applause for my bombing, My Own Space Force

Another crappy NAFTA, Money for my wall, an Iowa debacle and a Russiagate conspiracy.

On the eighth day of Christmas, the Democrats gave to me

Eight hundred conservative judges, 700 billion for the military, Applause for my bombing, My Own Space Force

Another crappy NAFTA, Money for my wall, an Iowa debacle and a Russiagate conspiracy.

On the ninth day of Christmas, the Democrats gave to me

Support for my coups, Eight hundred conservative judges, 700 billion for the military, Applause for my bombing, My Own Space Force

Another crappy NAFTA, Money for my wall, an Iowa debacle and a Russiagate conspiracy.

On the tenth day of Christmas, the democrats gave to me

More spying power, Support for my coups, Eight hundred conservative judges, 700 billion for the military, Applause for my bombing, My Own Space Force

Another crappy NAFTA, Money for my wall, an Iowa debacle and a Russiagate conspiracy.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, the Democrats gave to me

A big failed impeachment, Support for my coups, Eight hundred conservative judges, 700 billion for the military, Applause for my bombing, My Own Space Force

Another crappy NAFTA, Money for my wall, an Iowa debacle and a Russiagate conspiracy.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, the Democrats gave to me

Four more years, A big failed impeachment, Support for my coups, Eight hundred conservative judges, 700 billion for the military, Applause for my bombing, My Own Space Force

Another crappy NAFTA, Money for my wall, an Iowa debacle and a Russiagate conspiracy.

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Libby Goes Car Shopping (A Political Parable)

I went with a friend the other day to help her buy a car. See if this reminds you of anyone you know.

Libby: Thanks for coming with. I just can’t stand the idea of having to drive this lemon another day. I’m embarrassed to death by it. It wastes fuel, it leaks oil, it’s loud as hell, it’s all over the road, and it annoys my neighbors. But the worst part for me is that it looks like shit. I mean, why would anybody paint a car this hideous orange color?

Me: I don’t blame you. How did you end up with such a piece of garbage vehicle in the first place?

Libby: I know, right? I had my eye on a nice little Yugo, but my husband was having none of that. He picked this car despite my protestations.

Me: Well, I guess that exp—Wait, what? You wanted a Yugo?

Libby: Yeah, well it wasn’t exactly my first choice. I only went to the dealer because they had some nicer looking models in the lot. But when I talked to the dealer, they said the Yugo was the only option they had for me. And I just couldn’t bear the thought of driving in the car my husband wanted.

Me: But you are literally driving in the car your husband wanted.

Libby: Well, that’s the fault of the other people who chose the other cars, isn’t it?

Me (exasperated): Okay, whatever. The point is, we have to find you a dealer you can trust.

Libby: Uh-uh. We’re going to Bluno’s.

Me: I’ve never heard of them.

Libby: It’s short for Bluno Mattahoo. Their motto is, “All the cars someone like you will ever be able to afford.”

Me: That doesn’t sound very encouraging.

Libby: It’s the same place where I wanted to buy the Yugo. And hopefully they’ll still let me buy a car from them.

Me: What?! Why would you do that?

Libby: Well you don’t expect me to buy from the dealer that sold me this lemon, do you?

Me: Well, no. But I hardly expect you to buy a Yugo just to—

Libby: Besides, I already promised to buy a blue car.

Me: That’s your standard? So long as it’s blue, you’ll agree to buy it?

Libby: Well, it’s better than orange, isn’t it?

Me: I have to agree that I would prefer a blue car to an orange car. Nevertheless, I—

Libby: Quiet. We’re here now.

Libby (walking into the showroom): Ooh, look at all the nice sales people willing to help us.

Me: They’re sales people, don’t trust them.

Libby: Oh, don’t be like that. Look, that one’s a woman.

Me: Yes, a woman salesperson.

Libby: She’ll know what it’s like for a woman to buy a car. It’s hard, and salesmen try to take advantage of us women.

Me: Yes, she knows, and she’ll use that to her advantage. Just because she’s a woman—

Libby: Oh, look. That man—not that I make assumptions—appears to be gay. I want him to sell me a car.

Me: Don’t worry about his sexual predilections. You’re here to buy a car. Pay close attention to what he’s saying and make him back up any assertions he makes.

Libby: Honestly, I don’t know why I let a homophobe come with me to buy a car. I swear to God if I end up with another orange car, I’m going to hate your guts. (To salesperson): Excuse me.

Salesperson: Hello. I couldn’t help noticing you driving in that atrocious orange car. I am going to do everything in my power to make sure I get you a new car today.

Libby: Oh thank goodness. (Aside to me): Did you hear that? He said he’s going to do everything in his power to make sure he gets me a new car today.

Me: He’ll do everything in his power to get a big commission.

Libby (To salesman): Oh, ignore him, he just doesn’t know what it’s like to have to drive around in an orange Pinto.

Me: I’m your neighbor. I have to look at it every day. I hear it rumbling down the road, and I have to smell its exhaust when you drive it past my window. I despise your orange car as much as you do. Maybe more. It’s very important to me that you get a good--

Salesperson (Interrupting): It really is just about the most abominable looking car I’ve seen in my life.

Libby: Oh, I know.

Salesperson: And I will sell you a car that isn’t orange.

Libby: Really? You would do that for me? I can’t thank you enough.

Me (Aside, to Libby): Would you dial it down some? You can’t let him think you’re a pushover. You have to negotiate.

Libby: But I can’t stand driving that car for another day!

Salesperson: And here is the finest vehicle we have available.

Libby (Swooning): It’s blue!

Me: How many miles does it have on it?

Salesperson (condescendingly, to Libby): So you brought a real car expert with you, huh?

Libby: I’m sorry. He just doesn’t understand. He’s not a realist like I am.

Salesperson: This vehicle has a hatchback so you can easily put your groceries in it.

Me: The car she has now has a hatchback. Does this car leak oil?

Salesperson: I hardly think that her being in the situation she’s in that she can afford to worry about oil leakage right now. Perhaps she can work her way up to a car that doesn’t leak oil a few transactions from now, but it is my only priority to get her out of the orange car. (Turning to Libby) Now you’ll notice that this car has a cassette player in it.

Libby: Well, that’s certainly a step up from the 8-track player my current car has.

Me: It’s a Ford Pinto, Libby. It’s the same car you have now with minor differences. You can do better.

Libby: Do you think so?

Salesperson: No. You can’t do better.

Other Salespersons In Salesroom: Blue car or no car!

Libby (To me): I can’t do better.

Me (Aside to Libby): Listen, Libby, you can’t let them treat you this way. They will take advantage of you and give you whatever they feel like giving you until you stand up for yourself.

Salesperson (feigning great forbearance): Let me find another salesperson. I’m sure he’s someone you’ll really like and trust.

The salesperson leaves, and a moment later, an African-American man in a suit comes walking towards us.

Libby: Oh, an African American. He’ll help me for sure. He knows what it’s like to be ripped off by white men.

Me: Libby, for the last time, his skin color, his gender and his sexual preference don’t matter as much as the fact that he’s here to sell you a car. Demand proof and show him you won’t take just anything he shows you. You’re the boss, Libby. For God’s sake, stand up for yourself!

Libby: How did you become so cynical?

New Saleperson: I hear you want change. Am I right?

Libby: It’s like you read my mind.

New Salesperson: And you want a car that reflects your values and aspirations.

Libby: Yes! Yes!

New Salesperson: Without any of the kerfuffle and nonsense that you’re going to get from the other dealer.

Libby (aside, to me): Now here’s a man I could buy a car from!

New Salesperson: Well, you’re in luck. We just happen to have a trade-in come in today. I think you’re gonna like it.

Libby: I can’t stand the anticipation. Show it to me.

Me: Does it get good gas mileage?

New Salesperson: Well, the gas mileage varies according to the situation. Now, naturally, you’re not going to get as good of mileage driving in the city as you would on the highway. And then, it relies upon you to a certain extent, doesn’t it? If you accelerate slowly, you’re going to get better gas mileage than if you floor it. It only makes sense. And then there’s the matter of keeping your tire pressure at the recommended level. There are a lot of factors to consider.

Me: Does it get good gas mileage?

New Salesperson: You will have access to good gas mileage.

Me: C’mon, Libby, let’s get out of here.

New Salesperson: You’re names Libby? That’s a wonderful name, Libby.

Libby (Aside to me): But he’s so nice.

New Salesperson: So what do you say, Libby? Are you ready to get rid of that old clunker?

Me: Libby, no! You haven’t even seen the car yet! Don’t trust this man!

Libby: I’ll do it!

Me: Oh God, Libby, what are you getting yourself into?

New Salesperson: A wonderful choice Libby. Just sign on this line for a four-year loan.

Me: No!

Libby (Signing): I feel better already.

Me: Can we at least see the car now?

New Salesperson: Well of course. Like I said, we just got this one in today. Somebody traded it in. (Leading us outside into the lot): Here it is. Isn’t she a beaut?

Me: This is the car Libby traded in. You just spray-painted it blue.

Libby (breathtakingly elated): Oh, no it’s not, silly. This is an environmental model. Look at the tree in the window.

Me: That’s an air freshener, Libby. Someone hung an air freshener off your mirror.

Libby: It smells so fresh!

Me: Libby, you are the worst car shopper I’ve ever seen.

Libby: Oh, don’t be like that. I’m happy, and that’s all that matters.

Me: Why would you be happy getting back the same car you hated?

Libby: Well, for one thing it has this wonderful air freshener. I won’t have to notice the smell of the gas as it’s leaking.

Me: Is that it?

Libby: Heavens, no. I haven’t mentioned the best part.

Me: What’s that?

Libby: My husband’s going to absolutely hate it!

Me: Libby, I think that’s the first thing you said today that I agree with.

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Science Will Not Stop Capitalism's War Against Nature

The scientific study of reality is one of detached observation. And that is a beautiful thing, it really is. The problem, however, is that the corporate capitalist approach to defining reality is influenced by self-interest and unafraid of narrative manipulation. It’s approach to facts is “How can they be spun?”

The rational, detached mind will never be able to defend nature from corporate capitalism. In fact, its track record has been to be a servant to corporate capitalism in its destruction of our environment.

In the abstract, science has a much greater love for nature than capital.. But in the real world, science has served corporate interests at every turn. The capitalists who desire to turn trees into profit have terrifyingly sophisticated tools--created by cutting edge scientific technology--at their disposal. Corporations that seek oil have at their call all the geologists they require. Nuclear power and the threat it poses to our planet makes billions for the capitalists though it required the brightest scientific brains to bring it about.

Time and again, the scientific mind that sees the truth of the physical world is somehow nevertheless enchained by the economic one. The narrative that should come to light from the study of nature becomes buried by the artificial narrative of dollars and cents.

The scientist is by definition neutral because he is trained to be objective. He is not swayed by his emotions or desires, so that he may view the natural world free from prejudice. The capitalist has no such concerns. Truth is always secondary to getting his way, (i.e. increasing profits). The scientist, too, gets his way, in that the scientist’s primary goal is to see things as they are rather than as he’d like them to be. The scientist will watch as the world dies and call it regrettable. The scientist is a determinist, the capitalist is an indeterminist. The scientist places himself above the fray, the capitalist is in the thick of it. And what the capitalist fights for is always his own profit, regardless of its effect on the planet we all share. People with average intelligence who work with all their energy towards their goal will always get the better of those with superior minds who expect others to see things as plainly as they do.

Capitalism cannot exist without nature. Nature, however, can and has done quite well without capitalism. Capitalism has always been a parasite upon the planet, deriving its sustenance by draining its host. Primitive people who have encountered capitalism have seen this quite clearly over centuries, but now it takes an indoctrinated fool to deny it. Sadly, fools are often in the majority.

Capitalism is destroying our planet. Capitalists would tell you that it is progress and that it is inevitable. They will tell you no matter what damage capitalism causes, the absence of capitalism would be worse. Capitalists will also tell you that the only thing that can save us from the damage capitalism has wrought is capitalism. They allow themselves to believe that--because capitalism has been an answer to some of humanity’s problems at a given stage in its development--it will be the answer for all of humanity’s problems for ever and ever. But there is no technological miracle brought into being by the market that will aid in combating the ecological damage that capitalism causes, because capitalism has always been in a fight against nature. It’s like hoping a virus will protect a body from the effects of that virus.

Capitalism is not the answer to the damage capitalism has caused. Nor has the scientist shown himself capable of saving us from capitalism’s destruction of our planet. It is not enough to merely observe the planet upon which we live, we must connect with it. We need to step beyond the artificial identity that has been constructed for us—that of consumers of product and accumulators of capital—and rediscover what we once understood ourselves to be before the advent of capitalism. We currently view ourselves as economic beings, our existence meaningless beyond the market. But we have far deeper relationships to the planet and the ecosystem. We must come to understand that. Science can aid in our understanding of our connection to nature, but the kind of understanding science gives is an intellectual one. We must come to feel our connection to nature in a primitive and atavistic way. So that we do not speak for nature but allow nature to speak through us. Because we are nature, not its observer.

To reconnect with nature at this point in time is fearful, like visiting our mother in a hospital ward, her hair falling out, her skin pale, her breathing irregular. It will be painful, because we will have to face reality and come to grips with how OUR behavior has impacted HER health. But, for God's sake, it is the only human, natural, loving thing to do. It is unnatural to continue to avoid providing whatever support we can to she who gave and continues to give life to us. Opening up your heart to such fear and pain will be difficult, but it will be the beginning of a healing that will make us so much stronger and joyful in the end.

To reconnect with nature at this point in time is to realize we can no longer afford to be predators. We fell asleep within our economic bubble as creatures living in a harsh environment, but must awake to realize we live in a much more fragile one. Capitalism helped us in dealing with a cruel and uncompromising world, but since capitalism was born in such a world, it bears all the worst traits of it. Capitalism was a response to a world that no longer is.

We now live in a new environment, shaped by capitalism and driven near to extinction by it. We no longer need to protect ourselves from other predators. The greatest predator on the planet is us, and we have become the prey of our own predatory behavior. Like any other too-successful predator, we now run the risk of destroying ourselves.

Our job now is no longer to make war against the outside world but to find ways to preserve it. Capitalism was a wonderful tool to achieve dominance, but it is a horrible one to achieve co-existence. Co-existence might be muttered by some who preach from the capitalist gospel, but it stands in contrast to capitalism’s central tenets. Capitalism states that the strong survive and the weak perish. This idea has been supported by nature, but only in a simplistic model. The strong survives until it has eaten all the weak it feeds on, then it too dies.

The capitalists, in their primitive understanding of their relation to nature, tend to view it in the same way as an ignorant and vain predator does. They like to see themselves as lions, who through strength of tooth and claw rise to dominance over all other creatures. In fact, humans are rather frail and vulnerable evolutionary specimens. We have not survived as long as we have because of traits similar to the lion. We have survived first because we have intelligence and can see beyond the present, and second because we have been able to cooperate in groups in order to achieve goals that have benefited us all. Humanity would not have survived if it were not for those who sacrificed personal gain in order to work for the common good. As much as a capitalist mindset has shaped our perception of reality, we still thrill to any story that shows such traits in our heroes. Hacksaw Ridge will always do better at the box office than a movie about the life of Jeff Bezos.

There are human traits, wound deep in our DNA, that will allow the human species to survive. The illusion that we are predators who must take all we can from each other and from our environment will pretty clearly be the end of our existence on Earth. Get in touch with nature, because you are nature. Elevate beyond the capitalist mindset, because there is more to reality than that.

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