Democracy
“The rule of the people”
The word “democracy” comes from the Greek words “demos” (δῆμος), meaning “people,” and “kratos” (κράτος), meaning “power” or “rule.” Thus, democracy literally translates to “the rule of the people.” The concept has its roots in ancient Greece, particularly in Athens around the 5th century BCE, where it referred to a form of government in which all eligible citizens had a say in the legislative and judicial decisions of their city-state.
The decline
The democracy of ancient Athens, one of the earliest examples of democracy in human history, did eventually decline. This decline was not due to a singular event but a combination of factors over time. Here’s a brief overview:
- Peloponnesian War: The prolonged Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) between Athens and Sparta severely weakened Athens, both economically and militarily. The war ended with Athens’ defeat, which undermined its democratic institutions.
- Political Instability: Following its defeat in the Peloponnesian War, Athens faced significant political instability. There were brief periods of oligarchic rule, the most notable being the rule of the Thirty Tyrants in 404-403 BCE.
- Loss of Empire: Athens’ defeat in the Peloponnesian War also led to the loss of its empire. This reduced the wealth and power that had supported its democratic system.
- Macedonian Conquest: The rise of Macedonia under Philip II and later Alexander the Great further eroded Athenian independence. By the mid-4th century BCE, Athens, like other Greek city-states, fell under Macedonian influence and later control, which constrained its autonomy and democratic practices.
- Hellenistic Period: After the death of Alexander the Great, Athens became a part of various Hellenistic kingdoms at different times. While there were periods when the city enjoyed a form of limited democracy, it never regained the full democratic independence of its classical era.
While the democratic system of Athens did not survive in its original form, the ideals and principles of Athenian democracy have had a lasting impact on democratic thought and have influenced modern democratic systems.
Real Capital
Beef and land
As of January 2024, the United States has an estimated cattle inventory of approximately 87.2 million head. This figure represents a decrease of about 2% from the previous year oai_citation:1,United States cattle inventory down 2%. If you’re interested in more detailed statistics or specific categories within the cattle inventory, you can find the full report on the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service website oai_citation:2,www.nass.usda.gov.
Foreign ownership?
As of 2021, Chinese entities and investors own approximately 383,934 acres of U.S. land. This figure represents a small fraction of the total foreign-owned land in the United States. To put it into perspective, foreign entities overall own just over 3% of all privately held agricultural land in the U.S., which amounts to around 40 million acres. Among the foreign investors, Canada owns the largest share.
More than 80% of the Chinese-owned land in the U.S. is held by Smithfield Foods and a billionaire named Sun Guangxin through his companies. Smithfield Foods, a large meatpacker in the U.S., was acquired by the Chinese pork company WH Group in 2013. Sun Guangxin owns significant acreage in Texas, which he acquired for a wind farm project that was eventually halted by state law.
While Chinese-owned land constitutes less than 1% of the farmland in any given state where purchases have been made, the issue of foreign land ownership, particularly by Chinese entities, has drawn considerable attention and concern due to geopolitical tensions and the strategic implications of such ownership oai_citation:1,China owns 380,000 acres of land in the U.S. Here’s where | KPBS Public Media oai_citation:2,China owns 380,000 acres of land in the U.S. Here’s where | WUSF .
Current US National Debt
We are the new slaves of consumerism
The current U.S. national debt stands at approximately $34.56 trillion as of the latest update oai_citation:1,Real Time US National Debt Clock | USA Debt Clock.com. If you’re looking for a real-time update, you can always check the U.S. National Debt Clock oai_citation:2,U.S. National Debt Clock : Real Time.
Plato – The Symposium
Plato’s “Symposium” is a fascinating text that delves into the nature of love and beauty through a series of speeches delivered by various participants at a banquet. Set in ancient Athens, this philosophical work is not just a discourse on love but also an exploration of the human condition, ethics, and the pursuit of truth. In this blog post, we’ll unpack the key themes and insights from each section of “Symposium,” offering a structured overview of this timeless philosophical dialogue.
The Setting of the Symposium
- Location and Occasion: The dialogue is set at a banquet hosted by the playwright Agathon to celebrate his victory in a dramatic festival the day before.
- Participants: Notable figures including Socrates, Aristophanes, Alcibiades, and Agathon themselves engage in a series of speeches on the topic of love.
Eryximachus’s Proposal
- A New Discussion Theme: Instead of indulging in drinking, Eryximachus suggests that each guest should give a speech in praise of the god of Love, Eros.
- Order of Speeches: The participants agree, and a sequence is decided for the speeches.
Phaedrus’s Speech: The Primacy of Love
- Love as the Oldest God: Phaedrus argues that Love is the oldest of the gods and the most honorable.
- Influence on Honor and Virtue: He suggests that love inspires individuals to act honorably and virtuously, especially in the context of the lover-beloved relationship in Greek culture.
Pausanias’s Speech: The Dual Nature of Love
- Two Forms of Love: Pausanias introduces the concept of two Eros: the Common and the Heavenly.
- Elevation of Heavenly Love: He argues that while Common Love is purely physical and lacks a higher purpose, Heavenly Love transcends the physical and aims at the intellectual and the good.
Eryximachus’s Speech: Love in the Universe
- Love Beyond Human Relationships: Eryximachus extends the concept of love to the natural world, suggesting that it governs harmony and balance in the universe.
- Love as a Cosmic Force: He portrays love as a universal principle that contributes to health and order in both the human body and the cosmos.
Aristophanes’s Speech: The Quest for Our Other Half
- The Origin of Love: Aristophanes provides a humorous yet poignant myth explaining that humans were originally spherical beings, split in half by Zeus, and love is our quest to find our other half.
- Love as Completion and Wholeness: This myth underscores the idea of love as a force that drives us towards unity and completeness.
Agathon’s Speech: The Virtues of Love
- Love as a Beautiful and Virtuous God: Agathon celebrates Love as the youngest of the gods and lauds its virtues, including gentleness, beauty, and kindness.
- Love’s Influence on Creativity and Courage: He highlights how Love fosters creativity and courage, enriching both individual lives and society.
Socrates’s Speech: Love as a Pursuit of Beauty
- Challenging the Conventional Praise: Socrates, through a dialectical conversation with Agathon, questions the traditional praises of Love, suggesting that one desires what one lacks.
- The Ascent to the Form of Beauty: Through his recounting of Diotima’s teachings, Socrates presents a philosophical vision where Love is the desire for eternal beauty, leading one on a path from physical attractions to the appreciation of the Form of Beauty itself.
Alcibiades’s Entrance: Love and Socrates
- The Drama of Unrequited Love: Alcibiades, in a state of drunkenness, crashes the party and delivers a passionate and personal speech about his unrequited love for Socrates.
- Socrates’s Character: Alcibiades praises Socrates’s virtues, comparing him to a statue that conceals divine wisdom under a rough exterior, and highlights Socrates’s indifference to physical beauty and his pursuit of the beauty of the soul.
Conclusion: The Enduring Quest for Love and Wisdom
“Symposium” is not merely a discussion about love but an intricate exploration of how love relates to beauty, virtue, knowledge, and the essence of being human. Plato, through this engaging dialogue, invites readers to reflect on the nature and purpose of love, urging us to consider how love can lead us toward truth and the good life.
In your journey through “Symposium,” consider how these ancient perspectives resonate with your understanding of love and how they might illuminate your path toward self-discovery and intellectual fulfillment.
The climate will be fine.
Everything changes and nothing stays the same forever. Of course the temperatures will be in slight flux over time, it doesn’t take a rocket science to understand this!
Why are there people on the streets with iPads constantly trying to get suckers to give them their credit card information?
I told one of these guys on the street that I was skeptical that this is a pressing issue. He responded,
“But what happened to the dinosaurs?”
The doom and gloom becomes insanity. Wokism is our new religion, a social contagion, or a disease that will trickle through the minds of the many…
“Who and what is that?”
Almost every time somebody mentions somebody or something from popular culture that they’ve seen on TV, the news, or on the internet, I have no idea what they are talking about.
Dis-ease
Modern people are sick and unwell. Because of this, modern culture is on decline. This is bad but artists can thrive amongst the ruins!
People that are trying to make “good” photos still have not accomplished this base level goal yet
Once you accomplish this goal, it’s time to commit photographic suicide!