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enfanterribleidiotsavantgarden's avatar

Man is an end in itself, not means Kant said long ago. The other is supposed to be a mistery, a surprise to celebrate.

But in this modern environment where the beast Man - and women too - are domesticated they become so boringly predictable and unchallenging (Everyone also start judging accordingly and treat & examines the other like objects, this is why there's a popularity of so many different kinds of typology, from psychological/scientifical to the occult).

Internet only accelerates that, when you transmit what's in your skull to the screen.. and both become one.

By the way:

"Capitalism

Views all existence in the form

Of commodities. Nothing

Is valuable except to

The extent it will bring a

Profit on the market. Again,

The human being is reduced

To a special commodity,

Labor power, his potential

To make other commodities.

Labor power on the market,

Firepower on the battlefield,

It is all one, merely two

Aspects of the same monster."

Kenneth Rexroth

https://www.bopsecrets.org/rexroth/poems/1940s.dragon.htm#Italy

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Caleb Caudell's avatar

Ah, Kant, the stringent moralist, setting a bar none of us can possibly reach. Still respect it, though. I do feel a stirring in my soul when I think of his edicts. But here we are, treating ourselves and each other like tools. I usually tune out when I hear people talking about psychological types, quizzes and tests that determine their profiles. Such dull prattle

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enfanterribleidiotsavantgarden's avatar

I'm not a fan of Kant too, not all quotations means an approbation of the person quoted.

Well, anyway, to be honest, I love his What is Enlightenment? A beautiful call for psychological independence.

And yeah here we are.

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A.P. Murphy's avatar

Woke up one morning to the realization that the commodity I was stacking into cardboard boxes and despatching for delivery was actually my own life's precious hours.

"It's hateful, and it's paid for, and I'm so grateful... to be nowhere"

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Caleb Caudell's avatar

That's the trade, isn't it? Dispiriting how money justifies the most asinine activities and interests. If someone will pay for it, it's technically "worth" doing.

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plermpt's avatar

those last 2 lines hit me hard

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