Sometimes I try to figure out for myself what motivates people to hold "jobs" like this, and get all depressed. If it's about the money, why don't they just rob banks?
Hmm, as in 'if you dream, dream big'? Nah, these are small, insignificant nobodies, way out of proportion to the consequences of their deeds as history will testify. The banality of evil. Here's to hoping some will live long enough to suffer the contempt of their offspring.
Actually 'the banality of evil' is from Hannah Ahrendt, who to her surprise found that Eichmann wasn't really a bad guy, but just a perfect civil servant unlucky with his assigned job description.
That sort of thing is causing some confusion in the U.S. with Snowden and Manning. On the one hand, we want them to be good civil or military servants, and follow the chain of command.
But when they saw unethical conduct, and followed the chain of command to no avail, they were compelled to speak out and let the rest of us know what's going on.
Then they were labeled as traitors by those in charge.
In the bigger picture, if you understand there is no free will....that we are all victims of our DNA and environment, then no one is really a bad guy. Some of us are just luckier than others. Which is why I don't blame the Manhattan Institute "expert". She's a victim too. Her behavior still pisses me off though.
Sometimes I try to figure out for myself what motivates people to hold "jobs" like this, and get all depressed. If it's about the money, why don't they just rob banks?
ReplyDeleteMaybe they figure robbing banks hurts few people, but by aiding global warming they can hurt billions.
ReplyDeleteHmm, as in 'if you dream, dream big'? Nah, these are small, insignificant nobodies, way out of proportion to the consequences of their deeds as history will testify. The banality of evil. Here's to hoping some will live long enough to suffer the contempt of their offspring.
ReplyDeleteHear! Hear!
ReplyDelete(applause)
Actually 'the banality of evil' is from Hannah Ahrendt, who to her surprise found that Eichmann wasn't really a bad guy, but just a perfect civil servant unlucky with his assigned job description.
ReplyDeleteIt explains some things if true.
That sort of thing is causing some confusion in the U.S. with Snowden and Manning. On the one hand, we want them to be good civil or military servants, and follow the chain of command.
ReplyDeleteBut when they saw unethical conduct, and followed the chain of command to no avail, they were compelled to speak out and let the rest of us know what's going on.
Then they were labeled as traitors by those in charge.
In the bigger picture, if you understand there is no free will....that we are all victims of our DNA and environment, then no one is really a bad guy. Some of us are just luckier than others. Which is why I don't blame the Manhattan Institute "expert". She's a victim too. Her behavior still pisses me off though.