I basically agree with you—The U.S. has certainly been headed in the direction of a winner-take-all society over the last few decades.
I think some of this is measurable. The Gini coefficient certainly captures some of the economic aspects,
and it has gotten higher over time
“the underclass has been dehumanized to a degree barely precedented in human history” seem too strong. History includes slavery, including practices such as “seasoning”
History includes slavery, including practices such as “seasoning”
I agree that was probably a too hyperbolic statement. History certainly records much more extreme instances of domineering and oppression. However, “dehumanized” was not a very good choice of term for the exact attitudes I had in mind, which I think indeed have little historical precedent and, and which don’t really correspond to the traditional patterns of exercising crude power by higher-status groups and individuals, being a rather peculiar aspect of the present situation. But yes, in any case, I agree I exaggerated with the rhetoric on that point.
However, “dehumanized” was not a very good choice of term for the exact attitudes I had in mind, which I think indeed have little historical precedent and, and which don’t really correspond to the traditional patterns of exercising crude power by higher-status groups and individuals, being a rather peculiar aspect of the present situation.
Dear Vladimir, must as I hesitate to offer you any assistance in your presumably shady-looking intellectual enterprise (as frankly I’ve grown to dislike you quite a bit, period).… the term you might’ve been looking for is “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biopower”. Foucault, Arendt and Agamben have all pondered its significance in the 20th century.
I basically agree with you—The U.S. has certainly been headed in the direction of a winner-take-all society over the last few decades.
I think some of this is measurable. The Gini coefficient certainly captures some of the economic aspects, and it has gotten higher over time
“the underclass has been dehumanized to a degree barely precedented in human history” seem too strong. History includes slavery, including practices such as “seasoning”
I agree that was probably a too hyperbolic statement. History certainly records much more extreme instances of domineering and oppression. However, “dehumanized” was not a very good choice of term for the exact attitudes I had in mind, which I think indeed have little historical precedent and, and which don’t really correspond to the traditional patterns of exercising crude power by higher-status groups and individuals, being a rather peculiar aspect of the present situation. But yes, in any case, I agree I exaggerated with the rhetoric on that point.
Dear Vladimir, must as I hesitate to offer you any assistance in your presumably shady-looking intellectual enterprise (as frankly I’ve grown to dislike you quite a bit, period).… the term you might’ve been looking for is “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biopower”. Foucault, Arendt and Agamben have all pondered its significance in the 20th century.