"The ideology may start out as altogether wholesome and moral, at least on the surface, but over time and with continued influence and warping by pathological leadership, the ideology departs from those beginnings toward a utility for evil."
Well said. This is exactly what we have seen happen over the past 50 years or so. Think of the beliefs and values of the average person who identified as being a 'liberal' in the 1960's and compare them to those of the average person who currently identifies as 'liberal.' Way different.
As bad as things seem in the current historical era it may not be so much that totalitarianism will last way into the future. We may be witnessing death throes. Sort of like when a chicken has it's head cut off and runs about exerting great energy before it dies.
The establishment politicians et al seem to be in a state of hysterics over Ukraine. There must be a great deal more to it than even the most crazed tinfoil hats have suspected.
"This new edition has been extensively revised and expanded, the translation improved and annotated with the latest supporting research, examples, and new material previously unavailable in English."
given those details I might get this latest edition and continue the conversation from it - as I find the translation in the edition I have rather poor and there are no references to current science (which has advanced a lot).
"The ideology may start out as altogether wholesome and moral, at least on the surface, but over time and with continued influence and warping by pathological leadership, the ideology departs from those beginnings toward a utility for evil."
Well said. This is exactly what we have seen happen over the past 50 years or so. Think of the beliefs and values of the average person who identified as being a 'liberal' in the 1960's and compare them to those of the average person who currently identifies as 'liberal.' Way different.
As bad as things seem in the current historical era it may not be so much that totalitarianism will last way into the future. We may be witnessing death throes. Sort of like when a chicken has it's head cut off and runs about exerting great energy before it dies.
The establishment politicians et al seem to be in a state of hysterics over Ukraine. There must be a great deal more to it than even the most crazed tinfoil hats have suspected.
Just a heads up that there's a new edition of Ponerology out: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734907452/
Oh great - thanks for the heads up!
"This new edition has been extensively revised and expanded, the translation improved and annotated with the latest supporting research, examples, and new material previously unavailable in English."
given those details I might get this latest edition and continue the conversation from it - as I find the translation in the edition I have rather poor and there are no references to current science (which has advanced a lot).
I just found your substack. Otherwise I would have cited it in the new edition. Looking forward to reading more of your thoughts on the subject!