Monday, April 1, 2019

castles in ruins


CASTLES IN RUINS
I ran across a movie ( on Amazon Prime ) I hadn’t seen in thirty years, “Flesh & Blood”, with Rutger Hauer ( I liked all of his early films, but actually never cared for him in Blade Runner [ still one of the best ever sci-fi films ] as I thought he was a bit too Nicolas Cage over-the-top ).  Overall a rather good movie, with no more than the usual amount of embarrassing Hollywood Fictitious Facts.  I thought the portrayal of how women coped in a war environment was pretty good ( at first viewing, of course, I only paid attention to the nudity ).
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What I noticed, more than anything, was the seeming overabundance of gunpowder and some cannon, and yet almost no damage to the castles.  Obviously, one doesn’t rely on Hollywood to teach history worth a damn, but you can view their version of history to figure out how people view history already.  In this case, I think the common misconception is that castles were invincible.  They touched on a few facts, accidentally, such as the biological warfare ( plague infected meat hurled over the walls ), yet never on siege and starvation. 
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But movies simply cannot duplicate history, can they?  They would be boring.  Our fables are supposed to be allegories, though, and you must view movies ( at least, those done well ) as our modern fables, not as a substitution for research.  The PC’ers understand this, even if you don’t.  But getting back to castles, or the myth thereof, one of the first sieges of a castle by cannon clearly spelled out the newly arrived paradigm.  Nobody of sound mind looked at that lesson and ignored it.  Castles cannot withstand cannon as they could catapults.  Rather quickly, earthworks took over from rock walls, as defenses.
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Not everybody was willing to completely abandon the old paradigm, of course.  Cannon required centralization, as did the defenses against it.  Feudalism was more of a decentralized way of organization, even as kingdoms did eventually start growing into larger areas.  Obviously, proto-nations were forming, and gunpowder was a niche weapon for some time.  Military doctrine was in extreme flux.  Things mixed and matched and took time to evolve.  But those quicker and more flexible had the advantage.  Those that identified the trend and moved WITH it, rather than those who fought it, won.
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The Darwin Award was given to those buried under the piles of rubble where castles used to stand.  Can you guess where this is going next?  Suburbia is the castles we used to live to defend ourselves.  They are still useful, but they are not the future.  The War Of Federal Usurpation was won by consuming the most energy.  One could argue, the first carbon fuel war.  World War Two was won the same way.  The Great Depression was “won” by wasting the most resources, which was probably the whole point of the war, more so than global colonialization.
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Suburbia was a continuation of the same economic principles.  Money was made by consuming the largest amount of resources possible, rather than husbanding them.  Not that this is anything new in history.  He who grows fastest, wins.  He who is “sustainable”, loses.  He who is pacifist, loses.  He who values money over violence, loses.  The Oil Age is different from history not in that resources are consumed as quickly as possible, but because so many resources were misused.  Instead of maximizing population, and military advantage, consumer consumption alone was encouraged.  Go back to centralization to see how the resources used to be focused.
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Since the Agricultural Revolution completely changed society, growth alone was what mattered.  You had to grow more crops to have more population to seize more land to grow more crops.  Ignore that, and someone else following that would defeat you.  The Dark Ages were the result of lack of resources after the fall of trade allowed by Rome’s military might ( coupled with the previous overpopulation stripping soil fertility ).  No one COULD grow.  Nomads gained the military advantage to a degree because their military was not tied to fertile land.
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When there are resources, he who uses them to gain trade advantage, population advantage ( domestically, better farming always gave the French a military advantage over her neighbors ) and military advantage generally wins.  When the rulers piss away those resources to only enrich themselves and give nothing back to feed that trifecta, collapse is baked into the cake.  American Empire, which closely followed the Oil Age in timing, spent its first half enriching its position by intelligently using its resources, and the second half wasting every bit to enrich the very few at the top ( allowing, gleefully it seems, all previous investments to implode ).
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The suburbs might have been a huge misallocation of resources ( to paraphrase Kunstler https://amzn.to/2OCgFJ0 ), but they were both an investment in cultural/social capital and an economic stimulus.  They were, basically, a reward to those that fought to secure half the globe as American Empire.  It was too late to live in the country, as most would prefer, and centralized manufacturing wouldn’t allow that, so suburbia was a stylized “country retreat” and a vastly superior living arrangement to cities ( immigrants arrived and lived in ghettos.  Those already established displayed their peacock feathers by living in suburbia ).
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I think we all forget that those of The Greatest Generation had to endure a Depression, starvation wages, and a senseless imperial war ( no matter how well they lied to themselves about it ), and even if they then pissed away the seed corn it wasn’t like it was really all that unjustified.  We would have done the same.  Plus, no matter how many of them joined the politicians in allocating that waste, ultimately it wasn’t their decision.  Blame the elites, as always.  Generational Conflict is just another arrow in their quiver.
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Only during the decline phase of the empire ( 1963 on.  1913 to start the growth cycle.  One could quibble 1863 was more like the beginning of empire, but I think oil and credit did more to start true empire than mere colonialization ) did suburbs go from reward and luxury to defensive works, as the Blacks were purposely allowed to revolt and burn the cities and White Flight commenced.  Don’t think OtherColor Fear was anything new.  It is ingrained in our psyche.  It has been for centuries, first from clearing Indians from the land and later from controlling immigration.
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Black Revolt was always feared, and not just from slave owners.  Many northern states had anti-residency laws to keep Blacks out.  The elites used that against us, herded us into the suburbs and turned that into a profit center for themselves.  Then they evicted most of us in 2009 and made us rent what we used to own.  We no longer owned the castle.  Not to mention that the new landlord was letting rooms out to those we had fled from ( Section 8 housing ).  No, the suburbs are certainly no longer a defensive structure.  Do you REALLY believe that? 
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Continued tomorrow.
( .Y. )
( today's related Amazon link click here )
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note: most excellent news!  Low-Tech Magazine, an insanely useful resource ( you might know it best from the article on the Chinese Wheelbarrow ), is offering a paper book on the last six years of articles ( the first four years will be offered later this year ).  It is selling for $25 plus shipping.  To me, a bargain.  I'll be ordering a copy.  Here is the announcement click here .
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note: monthly earnings report.  Another insanely generous minion month ( good thing this isn't every month or I'd be liable for taxes-and I'm NOT being sarcastic ).  $511 donations and $195 in Amazon commissions.  $706 total.  I think that was more than I took home my last month at my "real" job.  Everyone, you are truly great.  Thank you so very much.
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note: free today book offer.  Not PA, but I love this kind of fiction.  Warriors from today time travel back and must fight/survive here.  Like the book by Michael Z Williamson, but he never continued the series.  A shame, as I liked that one ( A Long Time Until Now-not free but here is the link ) even better than "Freehold".
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28 comments:

  1. “Flesh & Blood”, with Rutger Hauer”


    Oh right. What the hell ever happened to that dude? Actually, I just looked him up, and it appears that he’s still rather busy, even though I haven’t seen him in anything since Christ was a Corporal.

    I miss the 1980’s. At least back then, we still had believable terrorists, in the form of the Soviets or East Germans (Sorry elitist dudes, but Aabdar, the double digit IQ goat banger, isn’t very convincing :D ).

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  2. Yeah Jim. Most suburbs are goung to become contested territory and no man's land come collapse. They generally do not have any in territory natural resources, priority manufacturing, or hold value other than housing and shopping enclaves. They generally will be stripped clean by city raiding parties and rural scavenger bands. If it is a suburbed assed up against a bigger city and within striking distance of rural forces then those formally pretty suburbs will have the frilly dress ripped off and be ravaged by savages of many opposing sides like a bad movie rape scene. Get out now.

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    Replies
    1. Does the movie have to be bad, to depict a worse rape scene? Look at the original Death Wish. Well, some would call that a bad movie. Not I. The equals, yes. Or at least #3 on. We could argue about the second one.

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    2. Yes your correct. Something about a mental imagery of the innocent wimmin folk being rudely victimized beyond me too levels of inconveinance is priamordially stirring. Expect much barbarism and such hooliganism post collpase, the view and follow on scenery will be spectacular.

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  3. I have to laugh at those who move just 20 miles away from the city and think their safe.
    I mean how long does it take to drive 20 miles.

    2:48

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    Replies
    1. To be fair, a good case could be made that during the economic collapse prior to the social collapse, gasoline will be wasted and then run out. Then, 20 miles become more significant. Today's fat bastards cannot walk two blocks, let along two miles. Let alone twenty.

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    2. But 20 miles out would effectively cut your location from any city assistance too. Cause you ain't worthy if you aren't paying city taxes (and even then you are ignored).

      20 miles out, if your location is hidden and out of the wind where odors won't give you away, you should be pretty much left alone, at least in short term. Except for the 'tweakers' though, those folks don't miss a thing.

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    3. They are some rodent like devious, aren't they? They actually will steal something worth $5.

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  4. Which was that Rutger Hauer movie WEDLOCK. Remember that one ? The prison inmates had an explosive necklace that blew your head off if the other inmate (you were supposed to not know who it was, but Hauer's character was somehow tipped off) if you were separated by a certain distance. I remember thinking that is one helluva way to keep everybody from escaping. If such units were supplied to illegal aliens, only to be removed after their immigration hearing occurred . . .

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    1. Waste of explosives, given illegal immigration. Instead, let's raze all college campuses.

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    2. But if the students are killed, who is going to pay all of those college professors ? Oh da humanity !!

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    3. They can take their tenure, roll it up in a tiny little ball and shove it up their asses. Quisling Qunts.

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  5. re:
    Darwin

    From the first time I heard the phrase 'survival of the fittest', I questioned its validity.

    Growing-up on a farm, I was constantly immersed in plants and animals == including humans == while directly observing them.

    Based on my experience, 'survival of the fittest' is incorrect to the point of misdirection.

    Instead, try this:
    Survival of the quickest to adapt.

    * * * * *

    In addition to questioning pretty much everything else, I noticed the utter worthlessness of government schools to educate children to succeed in business... or life.

    A couple decades ago, my librarian friend Rita recommended UNDERGROUND HISTORY OF AMERICAN EDUCATION by John Gatto. This mighty tome echoes my experience:
    *** Show a kid some basics in learning.
    *** Then... stand back and watch magic happen.

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    1. Are you sure this isn't a quibble, survival of the FITTEST versus QUICKEST TO ADAPT? The fittest could be construed as the quickest, anyway. It doesn't have to mean "strongest", which to my mind was the more incorrect.

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  6. Not to be that guy. However the debt that ended French monarchy was incurred by them when they funded the American revolution.

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    1. I like it when folks "be that guy". Keeps everyone honest. Okay, the French weren't exactly our buddies because they loved us as much as they hated the British. Not sure how much we owe them past the two world war bailouts. What exactly was your point, BTW?

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  7. re:
    Fatties

    YouTube has a 1986 movie:
    HEAVY METAL PARKING LOT

    Two hours of interviews with attendees prior to a Judas Priest concert.

    Not one chunker in sight.
    Nobody waddles.
    Nobody waggles multiple chins.

    And the topping on the cherry?
    Law Enforcement Officials wear khaki instead of black ninja costumes.

    1986. Try explaining that to a 2019 inflammation-oinker merely passing time until retirement and its next-day funeral.

    I'm a gardener. I weed and prune ruthlessly.
    My friend 'Lindsay' went from 160# at 5'8" to nearly 400# in five years. Lindsay no longer has permission to contact me.

    As I look around at my companions and role-models, I am delighted to see them focus on their health. Coincidentally, I pull the plug on mental-ills, drunks, commonists, and other goofballs. Do you suspect there could be some overlap in those categories?

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    1. Not that I enjoy Judas Priest, but I'd take that over rap. Not sure why the fatties went exponential. That might be something different to ponder.

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    2. “but I'd take that over rap”


      Well, on the bright side, you now have one less rapper to have to listen to from now on. Okay, sorry everyone. Even I realize that was in bad taste. After all, a loss of human life is always tragic. But someone had to be “that guy” (Not to be confused with the previous “that guy” :D )

      https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Nipsey+Hussle&t=lm&atb=v1-1&ia=news

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    3. I for one think it is funny as hell. No one is going to be sad I'm dead, so I just return the favor. Carry on, being That Guy!

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    4. Hey, I resemble that - I was actually at a JP concert in 86, and had hair to boot!

      I think we are seeing a lot of things going on, but all of them add up to too much food and too little effort. I read a story of a local cardiac unit that used to have beds good for 300 pounds, but now have to have beds for 600 pounds.

      I wonder if any enemy could plan it better?

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    5. I'm guessing we can't be friends then Large Marge? I'm a bit of a fatty with a BMI of 33.8. No idea how that happened. Well, I do but sheesh.

      Whenever I watch old videos I'm like a broken record. "No-one is fat! and none of them have gym memberships or are on diets!". The issue for me is that it's everyone. Everyone back then were lean, everyone now is a fatty fat fat.

      True story - I was talking to some bloke who worked as an engineer at a junk drink factory. I told him that his product is the reason I'm a porker. He said to me "I'll say this once, and I'll deny ever saying it. We changed the recipe recently with the express goal of making it more addictive".

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    6. Cool! Are they putting cocaine back in?!

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    7. John-I wonder if it is more carbs, less meat, more Netflix. Seems meat used to be more affordable and eaten all meals, rather than the one or one half serving a day now. And, TV was a lot worse so you found something else to do. Perhaps getting people to walk around a video store wasn't the worst idea either.

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    8. Portion size doesn't help either. Free refills of beverages - more sugar 'n carbs to inject into veins. Then go home to a vigorous exercise of texting and looking at the internet.

      You need to get off your ass and move it move it MOVE IT. You don't need a gym - there is plenty of things to do and use. Doing PLANKS for exercise doesn't require anything - keeps you toned up and if you want, you can continue listening to music or TV.

      And cut down the portions of food, just a little bit until you reach a personal sweet spot. Shrink that stomach, drink more water and exercise - that is bottom line.

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    9. The only good side of heartburn is that my diet is healthier. Less cooking oil, no cola and only occasionally a fruit soda. Almost no processed crap like bakery.

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  8. Back on the farm in Illinois (1950's) my father used to say were were in big trouble because we were 1/2 a tank of gas from Chicago.

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    1. And he wasn't wrong. Now? Traffic jams have got to be so much worse, plus the JIT inventory ( stations have always been such, but we also didn't rely on imported oil back then ). I'd say you MIGHT have better odds today. Obviously there are many variables. Do I know enough to do an article? Probably not.

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