I wish we all had foresight or at least educate ourselves on what is happening in the Country and entire world. I believe we are currently being educated on what exactly happens when fascists take over.
I use this book in my International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge class. The course teaches critical thinking. We need a lot more critical thinking these days!
One of my favorite books, I've given away three copies of it over the years and I always make sure to replace it on my shelves. It's only gotten more true and pertinent over the years.
I read this book when it came pout in 1995 and have been watching the slow creep of his predictions come into reality for 30 years. It has been agonizing.
To me, the dumbing down of America is best reflected in the fact that news is predominantly in video format vs the written word. I scour newsites for a written article....am I the only person who remembers how to read? Surely not. Why does everything need to be social media bursts or videos??????
Thank you for voicing my sentiments too. I long for essays that lead us past well-cited intellectual touchstones, towards myriad questions rather than cocksure conclusions. It’s like people prefer the peel to the orange only because it’s more accessible.
It has to do with “ are you not entertained “ ?
At a research museum/ library I worked at , the designers of exhibits were told to label at a 5th grade level. So more people would understand what they were seeing. It’s all about the buck , not the wonder of learning .
When I was a kid, this was my commentary on Jersey Shore and SpongeBob after coming from an age of moving Music Videos and shows like Rugrats and Hey, Arnold! Deep cuts replaced with glorified idiocy and fart jokes. Looks at the degradation from Teen Titans to Teen Titans Go! I rest my case.
I recently read the book because of this meme and Sagan's baloney detection kit was precisely the tool that would have prevented 45 in the first place.
I remember reading this a couple months ago for the first time. We don't have to wonder what Dr. Sagan would think, because he told us again and again and again. He spent most of his life trying his damnedest to ensure we didn't fall prey to ignorance, and here we are.
How many shows on The History Channel are actually historical, rather than "Ancient Aliens" or "The Curse of Oak Island"? Every facet of life has been dumbed down.
Lots of people like him were warning about all of this for a long time, but no one really cared to act on it. No one was allowed to rock the boat because it might make the economy sad.
“ and nobody seemed to notice. Nobody seemed to care. Good honest, hard-working Americans blue collar white collar. Doesn’t matter what color shirt you have on.” -George Carlin
A lot don't care as long as they have food in the fridge, a roof over their heads, and plenty of booze to numb them. More just don't have the time to care between their 2 or 3 jobs and raising their kids. They knew what they were doing to us. It's intentional.
Reminds me of Frank Zappa telling during a 1986 political debate on Crossfire that the US were evolving into a "facist theocracy". Some people see further than others who cannot even understand what is happening in front of their eyes.
those who voted for trump were definitely celebrating ignorance. trump is their super-hero fumbling the ball to putin, lying constantly and bragging about the shit he serves up everyday. umm-hmmm...shit pie.
I loved him and love this, but I think it should be clutching their bibles and crosses instead of crystals and horoscopes. I know a number of pagans, and they aren’t the ones leading us into fascism.
Indeed - Just finished rereading Karl Poppers "The Open Society and Its Enemies" - it's in a funny way relevant again - While I disagreed with Popper on many things it's still a worthwhile read - but putting it down - I could not help but think - who will have the patience to read that again ❤️
I just finished that book last week. I don’t know how I had never read it before. Visionary!!! Clearly not enough people paid attention when it came out 30 years ago…but it’s a clarion call to right the ship, if it’s not to late.
We need to recapture who you and I want us be, living our moral commitment to each other and promoting the voices who represent that. Let’s find the Carl Sagans amongst us and move them toward leadership roles to end this nightmare and lead us into the future for all of of humanity and our planet
this is not new
we should recognize it in history
it repeats itself in some form over and over again
Why should "man" behave any better than he has in the past when there are no consequences
because we are led to believe that history is stupid
reading it a waste of time
Hillary was mocked for saying, "It takes a village to raise our children". We've watched the decline of the family structures that used to connect us. Like the subdivisions that sprung up after WW2, everyone pretty much looked out for one another, what ever their political party.
It is time for revolution. Time to arrest all billionaires starting with the wealthiest billionaire, Musk. Time for nationwide general strikes. General strikes because these are the only actions that have ever created the middle class, worker human and civil rights in the US and world.
The exporting of manufacturing jobs, the loss of civilian sector living wage jobs with full benefits is absolutely programmatic, active, not a passive process. The destruction of job opportunities and compensations benefits is entirely intentional and is authored by the entirely criminal oligarchy.
Are you ready to protest are you ready to get out there because that's what it's going to have to take in order for them to hear our words all of us going to have to take to the streets and protest we have to make a movement
Bamboozlers!
The Bible is NOT a book it's a LIBRARY a collection of books written by holy men to make them rich, respectable and give them political power. Different authors contradict other authors. All were inspired by money. Not one word is God's word.
How did a convicted criminal get to be president?
With a lot of help from righteous criminals.
If you find it hard to think of Billy Graham and the pope being a criminals give it a few minutes and watch the lights come on.
The relationship between religion and tyranny is unmistakable.
The Vatican set up the escape routed for Nazi war criminals, for money. Hitler gave the Vatican, $300,000,000 3 times.
As the war was ending a German soldier said, "I'm beginning to wonder if God is on our side." Religion was.
I am now a senior citizen and while no Einstein, I have a modicum of smarts. I see proof of dumbing down every time I do errands or go to a restaurant, etc. This is what scares me - people who don't *know* they are dumb because they are dumb are making decisions for the rest of us.
People throw around “critical thinking” like they use it…they may have been taught it in school (hopefully) but what’s a equal component is being objective about what being done and I can tell many are missing it these days.
Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death made the same analysis a decade earlier. Cable tv began dumbing down America 40 years ago. Social media just finished us off.
Integral consciousness is actually pretty badass. Holding paradox is the way to ride the waves of the future. I can science AND I can read my horoscope. I'm cognizant of the limitations of both modalities. I'm wary of all dogma-- including scientific dogma.
Thank you for this, I've looked up the book, there are many different passages from this book available online. The amount of Truths covered in this passage alone should be clear to anyone.
The Rep's are beyond loyal. I have noticed for many years. I don't believe in blind loyalty, but now is the time for loyalty to Democratic party. Yes, more noise needs to be made daily by all Dem's in congress. We cannot give into this diabolical admin. Let's not let them divide us. Unite Together💙
Weren’t we led to believe that Russian armed forces were in tatters with the lowest of low morale? What is the truth about Russian defensive or offensive capabilities?
This is why I’ve been screaming that we need a return to truth in this country. Then, there won’t be any need for ‘believing’. Beliefs, in my opinion are the problem here. I’d rather be Knowing.
Much of what Sagan said is true (and agrees with my own assessment), but only an atheist would miss the glaring blinders he wears (it is a character flaw to say anything more as a purported scientist than "I personally don't know about souls or God").
I appreciate this quote, but instead of crystals and horoscopes, I wish he would have called out the major Abrahamic religions. I don't begrudge someone trying to make sense of the unfathomable, but religious massacres and pep rallies for a literal apocalypse are a bit much for me.
True. There's a lot of talk about bringing manufacturing back to the U.S., with protecting tariffs. What goes unmentioned, however, is who will be willing AND able to buy them at those prices.
I do not understand your point or suggestion, if that's what it is. We have thousands of businesses that are not publicly traded. And all share the same profit motive. There are non-profit charities and foundations but they aren't in the business of making products for nothing.
Comments
So many prophecies coming true these days.
At a research museum/ library I worked at , the designers of exhibits were told to label at a 5th grade level. So more people would understand what they were seeing. It’s all about the buck , not the wonder of learning .
Witchcraft, magic, the paranormal, 'Aliens from space', to name a few.
And yes, he talks with that looong, drawl. Father used to say he wanted him to speed up the point!🙂
https://time.com/5888024/50-trillion-income-inequality-america/
@bundesrat.bsky.social @spdde.bsky.social @spdfraktion.de @cducsueuropa.bsky.social @gruene.de @gruene-bundestag.de @fdpbt.de @die-linke.de
@zeit.de @fr-zeitung.bsky.social @faznet.bsky.social @sz-dossier.de @tagesspiegel.de @hib.bundestag.de @bundestag.de
The truth can be terrifying when it manifests as reality.
But hopefully we can get our country back before it’s too late.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXumIjRH8_g&list=OLAK5uy_mjLkQLN6kMNw0aPt_6Cd3t3Y39UwkNXj8
we should recognize it in history
it repeats itself in some form over and over again
Why should "man" behave any better than he has in the past when there are no consequences
because we are led to believe that history is stupid
reading it a waste of time
The stuff of life.
https://youtu.be/xG-XUbXg_TU?si=6TpKEg5_BfDmX6Z3
Have you heard that the world's gone crazy?
Can you name the song?
The Bible is NOT a book it's a LIBRARY a collection of books written by holy men to make them rich, respectable and give them political power. Different authors contradict other authors. All were inspired by money. Not one word is God's word.
Religion is the mafia's protection racket.
With a lot of help from righteous criminals.
If you find it hard to think of Billy Graham and the pope being a criminals give it a few minutes and watch the lights come on.
What contribution to society does religion make?
He crowned kings.
"We got the cheap rubber doll from Santa because mommy and daddy had us put the money for a nice ones on the preacher's plate."
The Vatican set up the escape routed for Nazi war criminals, for money. Hitler gave the Vatican, $300,000,000 3 times.
As the war was ending a German soldier said, "I'm beginning to wonder if God is on our side." Religion was.
Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death published in 1985
There is no documented evidence outside of religious institutions and the mentally ill that proclaim or show evidence of gods or a god.
-From an ex-Catholic with a Catholic education
14 hr audiobook,..free on Youtube..
If it had been written yesterday we'd just think he watched the news, or turned on the TV, or walked outside for thirty seconds.
We now have two choices. Live free or kneel to your MAGA king like a slave.
Color? Gender? Race? Immigrant? Rural? Urban? Worker? Boss? Poor? Rich? Red? Blue? Your flag is one of these.
I know which one is mine.
A lot of those young men were conned by Trump and Musk.
The depressing thing is he would probably be ignored now, just as he was then.