Do Our Political Candidates Credentials Matter?
“There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” — William Shakespeare, Hamlet
Understanding the backgrounds, educational experiences, credentials, and professional histories of political figures like Kamala Harris and Donald J. Trump is crucial. It equips us with the knowledge to comprehend their roles as serious, professional support players in the system I refer to as The Great Game.
In my opinion, former President Donald J. Trump is an entitled con artist and entertainer whose performances are revered and appreciated by many Americans who believe he represents their interests.
Former President Trump's credentials are far from as grand as Vice President Harris's.
I don't think former President Trump has any particular political ideology or agenda. He works for the applause. He's already wealthy, famous, and influential. He's a man who has everything and is mainly concerned with staying center stage and bathing in his admirers' attention.
One can find their political campaign platforms here and here.
All politicians in 'The West' work for the same special interests, such as private interests, national interests, and corporate persons. These groups often influence policy decisions, creating conflicts of interest between what the demos want (the populous of a country as a political unit) and what powerful, profit-seeking, globally engaged organizations want. Recognizing this difference in quality and kind of power is crucial for an informed and engaged citizenry.
One example of an immensely influential special interests organization is The Israel Lobby, also known as AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee.)
AIPAC is a prominent pro-Israel lobbying group in the United States. It advocates for policies that strengthen the U.S./Israel relationship and support Israel's security and interests. I will not go into the history of Israel's creation, but it is an important topic worth understanding in depth, as are the creations of many modern nation-states.
AIPAC's activities include:
Lobbying Congress and the Executive Branch: AIPAC engages with lawmakers and officials to influence legislation and policy decisions related to Israel.
Educating the Public: The group organizes conferences, events, and publications to inform and mobilize public support for its agenda.
Campaigning for Candidates: Although AIPAC itself is bipartisan, it supports candidates who align with its pro-Israel stance through its affiliated political action committees.
AIPAC is considered one of the most influential lobbying groups in Washington, D.C., and its impact on U.S. foreign policy regarding Israel is significant. However, it also faces criticism for its perceived role in promoting policies that some view as detrimental to Palestinian rights and regional peace efforts.
Another powerful corporate interest group is the conglomeration of corporations and their related supply chain businesses, often called The Military Industrial Complex.
The military-industrial complex is a well-established concept with significant historical and contemporary relevance.
The military-industrial complex (MIC) refers to the interconnected network of relationships between a nation's armed forces, the government, and the defense industry that supplies it. This network significantly influences public policy, particularly defense spending and foreign intervention.
The MIC's dynamics can lead to a self-perpetuating cycle. Defense contractors lobby for increased military spending, which fuels their growth and profits. This relationship can incentivize policymakers to prioritize military solutions even when diplomatic or other approaches might be more appropriate.
Some notable quotes that capture different perspectives on the MIC:
President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1961 Farewell Address): "We must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist."
C. Wright Mills (The Power Elite, 1956): "The military-industrial complex is not a conspiracy, it's a coalition... and it's up to us to make sure that coalition serves the interests of the people, not just the interests of the powerful."
Noam Chomsky (Understanding Power, 2002): "The military-industrial complex is a major driving force in the economy and a major factor in setting social policy and foreign policy."
The concept of the MIC has been subject to extensive debate and analysis. Critics argue that it can lead to excessive militarization, wasteful spending, and a focus on war over peace. Proponents contend that it is necessary for national security and provides economic benefits through job creation and technological innovation.
The influence of the Military-Industrial Complex (MIC) remains a significant factor in contemporary politics and international relations. Engaging in informed discussions about defense policy, military spending, and the defense industry's role in society is essential and a responsibility for all citizens.
Candidates are all indoctrinated in basically the same suite of ideological algorithms. This is uncontroversial; Americans, like people in other countries, come from a culture with values and stories that support it. These 'ideological algorithms' refer to the set of beliefs, values, and narratives that shape our political and economic systems. Global, legally coded, and rules-based business has its tenants, dogmas, and ideological belief systems. Power and control over socioeconomic conditions and resources is a core concern of our leaders within the modern techno-industrial market system.
Studying influential economists of the twentieth century, among other domains related to society and social systems, can help one learn how these belief systems arose. For example, one can read books like Quin Slobodian's Globalists, The End of Empire, and The Birth of Neoliberalism.
There are hundreds of books, papers, and articles about our global socioeconomic structures and belief systems, so if one wants to know about critical aspects of one's thinking, it's easy to find information on the relevant subjects.
However, sociology and economics are only two facets of our world we can explore. There are many more.
Interrogating our thought processes and beliefs is crucial to understanding how the world works and our place in it.
One could, for example, analyze socioeconomics from a thermodynamic frame, a perspective that considers the dynamic and complex energy flows/cascades unique to life. This approach views economic systems as energy systems, where resources and wealth are constantly in flux, and can provide a new context for understanding socioeconomic structures.
Thermodynamics in a Nutshell:
Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that deals with the relationships between heat and other forms of energy. It describes how thermal energy is converted to and from other forms of energy and how thermal energy affects matter.
Key Concepts:
Energy: The capacity to do work or cause change. It exists in various forms like heat, light, mechanical, chemical, etc.
Heat is a form of energy transferred between objects or systems due to a temperature difference. Heat always flows from a hotter object to a colder one.
Work: The transfer of energy that causes a change in the motion or configuration of a system.
System: The specific part of the universe being studied. It can be as simple as a container of gas or as complex as a power plant.
Surroundings: Everything outside the system.
The Laws of Thermodynamics:
These are fundamental principles governing how energy behaves in systems:
Zeroth Law: If two systems are each in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in thermal equilibrium with each other. (Basically, it establishes the concept of temperature.)
First Law: Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transferred or transformed. This is also known as the law of conservation of energy.
Second Law: The entropy (disorder) of an isolated system tends to increase over time. It explains why some processes are irreversible and why heat naturally flows from hot to cold.
Third Law: The entropy of a system approaches a constant value as the temperature approaches absolute zero. It's impossible to reach a temperature of absolute zero.
Before we continue with applications of thermodynamics, let's explore how modern techno-industrial market economies' critical energy source came to be. Without it, our current world and way of doing things could not exist.
Fossil Fuels
The transformation of organic matter into oil is a complex process that spans millions of years and involves a combination of geological and chemical factors:
1. Accumulation of Organic Matter:
Primarily, marine organisms like plankton and algae die and sink to the ocean floor.
They accumulate along with other organic debris, forming layers of sediment rich in organic material.
This process occurs in low-oxygen environments, preventing the complete decomposition of the organic matter.
2. Burial and Compaction:
Over vast periods, additional layers of sediment bury the organic-rich layers deeper into the Earth's crust.
The increasing weight and pressure compact the sediment, squeezing out water and other fluids.
3. Heat and Pressure Transformation:
As the buried organic matter descends further into the Earth's crust, it is subjected to increasing temperatures and pressures.
This intense heat and pressure initiates chemical reactions that break down the complex organic molecules into simpler hydrocarbons.
This process, known as catagenesis, transforms the organic matter into a waxy substance called kerogen.
4. Formation of Oil and Gas:
Continued heat and pressure (between 60°C and 150°C) over millions of years further break down the kerogen, generating liquid hydrocarbons (oil) and gaseous hydrocarbons (natural gas).
The type of hydrocarbon formed depends on the temperature and duration of the process. Higher temperatures and longer durations tend to produce more gas than oil.
5. Migration and Trapping:
The newly formed oil and gas are less dense than the surrounding rock and tend to migrate upwards through porous and permeable rock layers.
They continue to migrate until they encounter an impermeable layer (cap rock) that traps them, forming an oil or gas reservoir.
Important Considerations:
The entire process of oil formation takes millions of years, making it a non-renewable resource.
The quality and type of oil formed depend on the original organic matter, the temperature and pressure conditions, and the duration of the process.
The presence of suitable geological structures, such as traps, is essential for the accumulation and preservation of oil and gas deposits.
The transformation of organic matter into oil is a remarkable geological process that showcases the power of time, pressure, and heat to transform the remains of ancient organisms into a vital energy source for modern society.
Back to thermodynamics.
The biosphere is a dynamic heat pump.
Everyday Applications:
Thermodynamics is all around us! It helps us understand:
How engines work (converting heat into mechanical work)
Refrigerators and air conditioners (transferring heat from a cold space to a warmer one)
Weather patterns (driven by heat transfer in the atmosphere)
Chemical reactions (involving energy changes)
Even the behavior of the universe as a whole!
In a nutshell, Thermodynamics is about understanding how energy, especially heat, moves and changes things. It provides a framework for explaining many natural phenomena and technological processes.
Here are some excellent books on thermodynamics for the layperson, balancing accessibility and depth:
"Four Laws That Drive the Universe" by Peter Atkins
A clear and engaging introduction to the fundamental laws of thermodynamics, emphasizing their conceptual beauty and universal significance.
"An Introduction to Thermal Physics" by Daniel V. Schroeder
A well-written textbook with a focus on conceptual understanding and real-world examples. It starts from the basics and gradually introduces more advanced topics.
"The Second Law" by P.W. Atkins
A fascinating exploration of the Second Law of Thermodynamics, its implications for the universe, and its role in shaping our understanding of time and change.
"A Student's Guide to Entropy" by Don S. Lemons
An approachable guide to the often-misunderstood concept of entropy, demystifying its connection to disorder, information, and the arrow of time.
"Thermodynamics: A Very Short Introduction" by Peter Atkins
A concise and accessible overview of thermodynamics, ideal for those seeking a quick introduction to the key concepts and their implications.
The biosphere, governed by the laws of BIG NATURE, is the most vital energy system. Most politicians never consider this fact.
It's essential to define what we mean by energy. I am not discussing unsubstantial, supernatural, mythical, or magical energy concepts.
In the realm of science, energy is a fundamental concept that encompasses various forms and manifestations. Here are some prominent definitions that capture its essence:
Physics:
The capacity to do work: This is the most widely accepted and general definition of energy. It highlights the functional aspect of energy, emphasizing its ability to cause changes or bring about effects.
The ability to cause change: This definition expands on the concept of work, acknowledging that energy can also transform matter or systems, such as changes in temperature, phase, or chemical composition.
A conserved quantity underscores a fundamental principle in physics—the law of conservation of energy. It states that energy can be transformed from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed.
Living systems, ecosystems and our biosphere are energy systems that our species is part of and dependent on. We cannot separate our species from BIG NATURE's energy flows.
Quotes from influential scientists:
Richard Feynman: "It is important to realize that in physics today, we have no knowledge of what energy is." This quote emphasizes the elusive nature of energy, even as we understand its manifestations and laws governing its behavior.
Albert Einstein: "Energy and matter are interchangeable; they are different forms of the same thing." This profound statement encapsulates Einstein's famous equation E=mc², demonstrating the equivalence of mass and energy.
James Prescott Joule: "I shall lose no time in repeating and extending these experiments, being satisfied that the grand agents of nature are, by the Creator's fiat, indestructible; and that whatever mechanical force is expended, an exact equivalent heat is always obtained." This quote reflects Joule's contribution to establishing the conservation of energy, particularly the relationship between mechanical work and heat.
Additional scientific perspectives concerning energy:
Chemistry: Energy is often viewed in terms of its storage and release in chemical bonds. Reactions involve changes in energy levels, with energy being absorbed (endothermic) or released (exothermic).
Biology: Energy is crucial for sustaining life. Organisms acquire and utilize energy through various processes, such as photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Thermodynamics: This field focuses on the relationships between heat, work, and energy, including the concept of entropy, which describes the tendency for energy to disperse and systems to become more disordered.
A single, all-encompassing definition of energy remains elusive, but its significance in various scientific domains is undeniable. It is the driving force behind change, the fuel for life, and the foundation of our understanding of the universe.
Here are examples of energy flows within the biosphere from various scientific domains:
Ecology:
Food webs: Energy flows through ecosystems as organisms consume one another. Producers like plants capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis. This energy is transferred to consumers like herbivores when they eat plants and further transferred to carnivores when they eat herbivores. Decomposers break down dead organisms, releasing energy back into the ecosystem.
Nutrient cycling: Energy is involved in the movement and transformation of nutrients within ecosystems. For example, energy is required for plants to absorb nutrients from the soil and for bacteria to decompose organic matter and release nutrients back into the environment.
Physics:
Solar radiation: The sun is the primary source of energy for the biosphere. Sunlight reaches Earth and is absorbed by plants, water, and land. This energy drives many processes, including photosynthesis, weather patterns, and ocean currents.
Heat transfer: Energy is transferred within the biosphere through various mechanisms, including conduction (direct contact), convection (movement of fluids), and radiation (electromagnetic waves). These processes play a crucial role in regulating the temperature of the Earth and its various ecosystems.
Chemistry:
Photosynthesis: During photosynthesis, plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create glucose (a sugar) and oxygen. This process converts solar energy into chemical energy stored in the bonds of glucose.
Cellular respiration: Organisms break down glucose and other molecules during cellular respiration to release energy for their activities. This process converts chemical energy into usable forms like ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
Geology:
Geothermal energy: Heat from the EarEarth'sterior is released through volcanic activity, hot springs, and geysers. This energy can support unique ecosystems like those found around deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
Fossil fuels: The energy stored in fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) originated from ancient organisms that captured solar energy millions of years ago. When these fuels are burned, that stored energy is released.
Other domains:
Meteorology: Energy flows are crucial in understanding weather patterns. Solar radiation drives atmospheric circulation, evaporation, and cloud formation.
Oceanography: Ocean currents are driven by differences in temperature and salinity, which are influenced by energy flows from the sun and the Earth's interior.
These examples showcase the interconnectedness of energy flows within the biosphere across different scientific domains. Understanding these processes helps us appreciate life's complexity and delicate balance.
I included these examples to emphasize that we are part of a complex, emergent, evolving, dynamic living energy system that exists above our ideological belief systems, which have been constructed and developed over time by communities of people to exercise the expansion of our power over people and the domination of every aspect of nature.
The Players of The Great Game, in particular, are not wise to BIG NATURE.
For tens of thousands of years, our species has expanded across the Earth. For over ten thousand years, organized human societies at larger and larger scales have competed for control over vital resources needed to maintain their power and "win" The Great Game. The Great Game game never ends, so there can be no winners, only temporary victors in an ongoing, often violent, and tragic saga.
Our politicians work for the BIG PLAYERS of The Great Game. These people with immense ambition have learned from their education, environment, and circumstances how to play The Great Game and care foremost about being dominant players. Money and things and control over resources are their way of keeping score.
The Players of The Great Game feign concern for ordinary people; their primary concern is being recognized as important Players. Players want to be seen as winners.
The Great Game is fundamentally energy-blind and posterity-blind; it is blind to the workings of Big Nature, and because of this, it is doomed.
The Great Game is in its most dangerous period, and technology, energy, and ambition are important factors.
Fossil Fuels are a limited resource.
Technology is a double-edged sword used for The Great Game, not for developing a sustainable future in harmony with the laws of nature.
Modernity is omnicidal.
Modern techno-industrial market-based civilization depends on limited material resources.
People are programmed to eschew knowledge and wisdom in favor of simplistic belief systems that feel good.
People are easily conditioned and programmed by stories that support feel-good belief systems.
A global revolution is the only way out of "The Polycrisis," our unique and dangerous predicament. Unfortunately, The Great Game does not produce a population of enlightened revolutionaries committed to the stewardship of BIG NATURE in favor of our precious living systems upon which we all depend.
Our leader's primary commitment is to The Great Game.
BIG NATURE operates under its own set of laws and is not concerned; it can not, in fact, care about one invasive species that has been the apex predator for the past seventy-five thousand years.
It does not help us to anthropomorphize BIG NATURE.
There is a high probability that The Great Game will only end when our species is extinct.
It's easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of The Great Game.
But life will likely go on and thrive without our species.
The things I referred to above do not begin to address all of the qualitative aspects of human communities and the many possible ways of life yet unimagined and experienced.
In the face of a long and gruesome fate, I can only imagine and hope for people to organize and create a more peaceful, equitable, healthy, sustainable, and loving way of life.
I can not live without hope.
We can not share this miraculous system of life without sacrifice.
Go vote, but don't expect our leaders to make the changes we need to create a better world. Expecting The Players to do that is the definition of insanity.
