Thursday, December 12, 2019

barbarians and civilization


BARBARIANS AND CIVILIZATION
There are basically two types of people, economically and culturally. Barbarians, and civilized folk. You could also think of them as City or Country. Of course, since civilization has all the surplus and luxury, time to fritter away on the backs of slaves, they write all the books and “civilized” folks are always portrayed ( well, for the most part. There are always books on “the noble savage”, vicariously allowing young boys and frustrated men a fantasy outlet ) as Super! To be civilized, in civilization, is part of the civic reward for being better than filthy scum out in the boonies.
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Of course, this smacks on propaganda. It isn't just the normal good natured rivalry opposing groups always have. Jocks look at band nerds as geeks and freaks, and the goobers look down their nose at unintelligent and unrefined cavemen in sports attire. The Army looks at the Navy as a bunch of marshmallow men in orange juice squeezer hats, and the Jarheads look at the grunts as posers ( real men are issued rectal rods, one each, from our Glorious Corps, oo-rah ). No, city folk go out of their way to assure themselves how superior they are, almost to the point of me-thinks they protest too much.
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City folks are overcompensating, giving virtue to vice, as they celebrate their sloth and luxury. Today, the “metro-sexuals” bask in their feminine grooming habits. In Rome, the norm was to be clean shaven and there was a stigma attached to oral sex ( it was thought that men were acting feminine if they performed oral sex on females. Contrast this with the modern biker gang member earning his Red Wings after he performed the act on his girlfriend while she was menstruating-of course, I had to try that after reading up on it. No biggie, just a bit salty ).
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The attitude that a females pleasure wasn't important, and the extraordinary grooming strike me as unnecessary machismo. A man comfortable in his role as warrior and protector need not put up such false airs. And before you say it, my beautiful hair is not excessive grooming. I cut it once a week, and then there is no extra cleaning products or incessant combing. My sleek perfect hair is LESS maintenance, not more. Shaving my face is also less, rather than more. Three times a week shaving and there is no liquid or food to constantly remove from a beard. Plus, those suckers itch!
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Don't take the above as me assuming I am a barbarian. I know better, having had a soft life, at least physically. I only make the distinction from city slickers in my attitude. I know I'm a pussy, and hate it. They love being squishy in body and mind. They want to kowtow to their women and former slaves ( and imported farm implements ). As much as I do not share in their attitudes, the celebration of weakness as a virtue, is simply what citizens do. That is how they were raised, and cannot help it. On the other hand, barbarians are raised to be savages ( to the mind of the civilized ones ).
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Each group is raised in a culture that works for the group, making it stronger. City dwellers, which I include farmers in the hinterlands as part of, as they live in the agricultural system supporting those of the city, are civilized because of centralized agriculture. Barbarians may or may not farm, but they are of a decentralized system. The main difference is not in what they eat, but in their government and military structure assuring HOW they eat. Cities have standing armies, and permanent farmers. Country folk are all in the military, both fighting and farming.
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Barbarians belong to a tribe, all men warriors ( NO! A thousand times, NO!, Natural Geographic and Hollywood, bitches were NOT warriors. Amazons were a myth, unless they are companies sending you books ) who followed the most qualified warrior to lead them. Citizens belong to a state, being whatever profession the king decides ( barbarian kings proved themselves, civilized kings were born to rule ). By force of arms, barbarians had a vote. By lack of arms, the majority of civilized men were almost slaves.
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Now, clearly, even as I'm being critical of citified, centralized, unfree society, I know there isn't much choice in the matter. If you seize the low ground that comprises the best agricultural land, you have to have standing armies ready to protect that land from other standing armies ( and, it shouldn't have to be said, also go to seize other peoples land once you ruin your soil, which you will, as you must feed the army even in times of failing crops ). You cannot feed excess people unless you have a division of labor, and that leads to class and hierarchical rule.
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Barbarians, by definition, are relegated to marginal land. They don't have the numbers to fight large standing armies. Being on marginal land, you cannot feed excess people. Which means the farmers ( or hunters or herders ) must also be fighters. Which means there cannot be extra mouths to feed such as miners, or full time craftsmen. The women do some of the crafts, on a cottage level ( city tradesmen can work on a more industrial level, with slave/apprentice labor ). Those already farming and practicing for war must also be craftsmen, largely in war material.
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As with everything, it comes down to food. Civilized societies must be subservient and compliant, as they are part of a large machine designed to farm big and fight big. Barbarians must do everything themselves, and a large machine would hinder them. The restrictions and freedoms have nothing to do with politics or choice but with how they have to be fed. Neither group is right or wrong, but following necessity.
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And before anyone gets stupid on me, no, you can't have the choice farmland AND be free. You want to be a freeman and retain the right to be armed, you'll need to go to the marginal land in the hills. Flatlanders are serfs, not because of right but because of might. Do NOT be where the good farm land is if you want to be free. Just because you could do so during the Carbon Fuel Age doesn't mean it is feasible in any other era. Tomorrow, I'll cover the trends underway in breaking up the country along urban civilization and rural barbarians. It isn't a perfect analogy, because Oil Age, but it is the start of the trend.
( .Y. )
( today's related Amazon link click HERE )
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note: free for today books, YA PA HERE 
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note: if you have Amazon Prime, I would recommend the movie "E.M.P. 333 Days".  Very low budget ( for instance, sounds of a crowd outside without showing any ), but done with great talent.  Not a lot happens, but it moves along and it sticks with you after.  
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note: if you are a fracking fanboy, or refuse to think the Earth is anything other than a hollow sphere full of petroleum, do not read this.  But if you understand that we have finite resources, and Dark Ages do happen after civilization collapse, this article should scare the holy crap out of you.  Reputable source, in my opinion.  The NET Hubbert curve spells trouble immediately ahead click HERE 
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18 comments:

  1. I watched this movie E.M.P. 333 Days and found it just as you described. Worth the time.

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  2. I learned recently that medieval serfs actually had a pretty good life. Well, not as bad as the media makes out (The media tells lies? *shocked face*). One version (reputable source) said 2 days work for your local lord. Those two days were hard work *BUT* also kinda not hard. You'd have a beer and a snooze at lunch. You had time off for religious days, for weddings, for lots of things really. Fresh Salmon and beer were what's for lunch.

    Sure, your House had a dirt floor and maybe two rooms. You slept on straw and your animals were kept inside during winter. But come on guys. 2 days a week work! You can have my iPhonetflix device and I'll go from 55 hours a week.

    I'm interested in their football games they had. From the snippets I've heard it was pretty much just an all in brawl with the neighbouring village with getting a ball to the other side as a side quest. LOL

    Before I go - the first man in recorded history to fly was a Medieval monk. He made the first wing suit and leapt off a church tower and flew the length of two football fields. He messed up the landing however and broke both of his legs, crippling him for life. No-one else was keen to try his modified suit. LOL

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    1. Plus, if you actually flew, would the church burn you at the stake? Just saying :)

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    2. That sounds more like falling, with style.

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    3. Ha! Yeah, I didn't think about it like that.

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Honest mistake, since they go right back to bitching, satisfied or not :)

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  4. Pretty interesting post. A lot of truth.

    Been busy with my "step son". Jack ass the caused the wreck only had minimum coverage and hospitals have already put leans on that. He may get $3-4000 for his bike and that is it. His money he spent. Paralyzed and lost a leg and more hardware in him than a Toyota Tacoma. Life is ruined.

    And medicare/medicaid doesn't pay for home mods, the ramps, wider doorways, bathroom mods, all out of pocket.

    Spud knows alot of this. Through his accident. Be safe out there minions. I'm selling my bike after this most likely.

    Hair is excellent Lord Bison

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    1. A motorcycle USED to be the perfect transportation. Anyone, anywhere, has always been able to get a drivers license. They hand them out in Crackerjacks. The problem now is that there are four times as many of the idiots behind the wheel. I know, a bicycle or moped still present SOME risk. Walking on the sidewalk has some risk. It is just minimizing The Suck. You couldn't GIVE me a motorcycle. And I grew up on them. Good luck, this gal most really be worth it ( but, that's a good thing )

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    2. These days , even bicycles are off limits for me.
      Paid the price just last week for all the digging I've been doing. Guess I overdid it and haven't been able to walk , sleep or anything without major pain ! We're talking worse pain than giving birth out your ass caliber pain. Had to resort to the emergency stash of narcotics chased with whiskey to get any relief !!
      Nope, no more two wheel anything for this boy...

      Hope I'm doing better tomorrow. Going down to that charity concert in Stuart. Guaranteed gonna require copius adult beverages lol.
      It's being called the Caribbean Woodstock here locally.
      Supposed to have several big names there. Like the Barefoot Man , Stone Mccuen , Jimmy Buffet , Lenny Kravitz, The world famous Jamaican steel drum band and many others.
      Gonna be a drunken sailor wild party...
      Scares the shit outta me to attend such a huge gathering. Not often I break the rules of avoiding large crowds ! But it's for a very good cause all proceeds going to the Bahamian people who lost their homes. Estimated 75,000 homeless and that's just the legal Bahamian citizens not counting all the Haitian illegals too... Bye, hopefully back Sunday...

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    3. Nice knowing you, dude! Kidding! Enjoy.

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    4. His mom, my girlfriend is alright, but over 5 years i have grown to really care about 2 of her kids and several grand kids. Its tough to turn your back in tough times.

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    5. Pretty damn funny-I usually just tolerate the kids as part of the package. I suspect you are a better person than I. What can I say? Being a dick is part of my charm

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  5. Thank you for the recommendation of:
    Net Energy Cliff Will Lead to Collapse by 2030

    http://energyskeptic.com/2019/net-energy-cliff-collapse-by-2030/

    It is scary. And the data is from the experts. We are already starting to fall off the cliff. Buy wheat and ammo!

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    1. Got wheat?
      https://amzn.to/35jP9rd
      Got ammo?
      https://www.sgammo.com/product/223-556mm-ammo/1000-round-case-223-rem-55-grain-fmj-steel-case-tula-ammo
      ( $15 less than when I was buying the cases! X-Mas special! BUY, BUY, BUY!!! )

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  6. A 6 year old reprint from "Oil Drum"? FFS, Jim! That energy skeptic article is exactly why OD stopped publishing years ago.

    From Wiki.."In 2013, The Oil Drum announced that it would stop publishing new content and would turn into an archive resource". Hmmm! Why stop publishing?


    First sentence is all I had to read..."The remaining oil is poor quality, and the energy to get this often remote..."

    Please tell me this ass hat has a couple of degrees in PE (petro engineering) and chemistry.
    What the Hell..."poor quality". Just such bullshit hyperbole. Gawd Almighty!
    Is a lot of fracked oil different...yes, just as various conventional oils differ. WTI and Brent measurably different from Ghawar Field or Indonesian. Big damn deal. Does pine burn differently than hickory? Duh, yeah!


    Then the fool goes on..."...running-dry aquifers like the Ogallala which grows 1/4 of our food...". Yes Ogallala is draining but ask yourself...what else was that water to be used for? Huh? What metropolis sit above it...barely one.
    The aquifer is being used (wastefully, imo) to grow corn & feedgrains for confined animal feeding. Farmers aren't growing wheat under irrigation for human consumption. Your pails of hard red winter#1 is dry land grown.
    In the future, when the wells run dry the corn will shift back east to 35+ inch rainfall areas. No one in America will starve when the pumps dry off.

    Such crap. Please think.

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    1. OD probably closed from lack of fear, doom, or gloom, exactly as you yourself exhibit. Everyone is optimistic and fat and sassy, glad that the economy didn't collapse ten years ago. And because it didn't collapse, why, it can never happen again, DESPITE the derivatives shenanigans only getting worse and despite the petrodollar being rejected by major countries and despite the fact we have nothing to replace fracking with. O. M. Motherhumping G! Look at net energy! It friggin matters, dude. If you are putting extra energy into drilling, that doesn't go to occupying the mideast or building businesses, just getting more go juice for buttheads to engage in Happy Motoring. Which is a consumption, not an investment. I'm stopping now, my BP needs to lower.

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