Re: <nettime> Steven Levy: Joi Ito Explains Why Donald Trump Is Like

[Morlock Elloi <morlockelloi@gmail.com>]

There is a possibility that 'we' (h. sapiens in various strains) cannot 
obtain 'true satisfaction' from long term activities which are not 
related to survival and getting ahead within a tribe (more pussy for 
me). In that sense engaging in esoteric activities is simply an 
effective status symbol (string theory is SUV for the braniacs) and not 
some abstract pursuit of happiness.

If this is correct, then in abundance of food (machines do most of the 
stuff, no work needed for most), the only motivation left is getting 
ahead, and production-enabled egalitarian society is impossible. The 
simplest way to get ahead is to push the others down. Basic income and 
other niceties would then work only if they provide ongoing satisfaction 
to the higher-ups, which excludes entitlement models, so there is a 
fundamental contradiction.

The basic difference between the left and the right appears to be that 
the left is for neutering others, while the right is for pillaging 
others. The choice is stark: the farm or the jungle. No free-range chicken.

> We generally want to have a sense that who we are and what we do is valued or will be

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