The World We Have per Tom Matrullo
From Improprieties,
The new union was more perfect because it was to be less bloody -- to be, in fact, not based on tribal blood, hereditary bloodlines, or any precious bodily fluid whatsoever. It was all very abstract, and at this late date it's doubtful that we can make sense of what it was supposed to be, other than to say it was an experiment in some form of open society. I say "we," but in fact, because of the very nature of this experiment, there is no more "we."
Tom's reflections are so densely interlaced and so allusive that representative quotation is impossible. He ends with thoughts on the "ego" or we of corporations. Are they comprehended as human being surrogates in the "we" who want a better world? If not why are they running the world we have? (And is democracy a lily that corporate philanthropy might gild it?)
Again, as in all the World We Wants from "ordinary" (as in Wallace Steven's "ordinary evening in New Haven"), Tom offers no remedy, no plan. May this fact strike those in a position to convene. To be a we who can create a better world we need one another, solidarity, community. Without that we have diagnosis without prescription and there will be no healing. We cannot, Peter et al, scale the heights without you - but if we ordinary citizens do not prevail, your dream fails too, if it is the dream of democracy.
Tom is obviously insane.
Posted by: bmo | May 20, 2005 at 08:24 PM
Excuse me, but you Americans are beginning to sound like the English with your class divisions.
Are you serious?
Tom is bang on.
There is no we.
The 'we', it would, seem is transnational, a company of gentlemen.
Maybe this is a good thing. I'm willing to be led by the nose. Two cars and a house would do me. I am your ox. What need you hauled, plowed, or otherwise leveraged?
Posted by: brian moffatt | May 20, 2005 at 08:37 PM
The Captain gathers the sailors to make an imporatant annoucement: Starting Tuesday The World We Want will be inforce 24/7. Half rations all around. No more grog. BMO will be stripped to the waist and flogged for insubordination, and Harry will now be fed the sharks. Any comments or questions before we begin? Smile, Gentlemen, the world is now a better place. All agreed cry, "Aye, aye Captain and throw your caps in the air."
Posted by: Phil Cubeta | May 21, 2005 at 08:07 PM
Arrrrrhhh, bo'sun Phil. Stripped and flogged. Oh good. Something pleasant for a change. Give my feet and head a rest. Looking forward to it.
Posted by: brian moffatt | May 23, 2005 at 05:22 AM
As in Survivor, let us vote on who gets thrown off the island, the utopia, the world we want.
Posted by: Phil Cubeta | May 23, 2005 at 11:06 AM
The absolute rule of the ship's Captain is not meant to be a tyranny, but for the safety and protection of all. When it goes beyond that, the Captain must be removed from power for that same reason.
Of course, the precidents don't go that way, Wealth Bondage style, the more important responsibility of the Captain is the capital investment in the ship and cargo, the sailors be damned. The handling of the Cane Mutiny a case in point (among many).
Posted by: Gerry | May 23, 2005 at 04:35 PM
Mirroring the Ship of State is the Ship of Fools, whose captain is a clown. In the World We Want, cry the madmen, we cut them adrift!
Posted by: Phil Cubeta | May 23, 2005 at 07:36 PM
the world is very diferent from what the avarage person thinks.
Most knowledge besides what people can see with their eyes is false.
History is a lie.
Posted by: Tiago Lamdverb | August 02, 2007 at 03:59 AM
Hence Carnival in which the honest men and women adopt the mask of skull and bones.
Posted by: Phil | June 07, 2008 at 02:57 PM