Gary Childress wrote: ↑Sun Jan 29, 2023 11:58 pm
You're making your own reality and not a very healthy one. I'd rather "bicker" than be in a "war" of any kind. A war is generally a bilateral, antagonistic affair where one may legitimately seek to win through almost any means necessary, including lies, deception, and dehumanization of an enemy. I either agree or disagree with others where I see good reasons to. I'm not out to win at all costs. I'm more interested in truth and will generally concede when I'm wrong, though I can be, admittedly, stubborn. But I'm not at war.
Phhhhttttt!
This is not about me, or you, making our reality. The Reality we live in -- political, social, ideological -- has been confected by others.
We are in a war. Wars are going on around us daily. And these are wars-of-consequence. One faction in the power-establishment has engaged quite literally in ideological war against this odd figure known as Donald Trump. That is one blaring example. Where have you been Gary?
A war is generally a bilateral, antagonistic affair where one may legitimately seek to win through almost any means necessary, including lies, deception, and dehumanization of an enemy.
I suggest you consider
fourth generation warfare.
Fourth-generation warfare is defined as conflicts which involve the following elements:
Complex and long term
Terrorism (tactic)
A non-national or transnational base – highly decentralized
A direct attack on the enemy's culture, including genocidal acts against civilians.
All available pressures are used – political, economic, social and military
Occurs in low-intensity conflict, involving actors from all networks
Non-combatants are tactical dilemmas
Lack of hierarchy
Small in size, spread out network of communication and financial support
Use of insurgency tactics as subversion, terrorism and guerrilla tactics
Decentralised forces
Amazing it is that you make this statement ["a war is generally a bilateral, antagonistic affair where one may legitimately seek to win through almost any means necessary, including lies, deception, and dehumanization of an enemy"] without seeming to realize this describes to a *t* the warlike atmosphere we are in, like it or not. It has nothing to do with your personal will nor mine. These are power-struggles the nature of which are hard to see clearly. Those who battle
to gain the assent of your will certainly try to win
using any means necessary. Have you been soundly asleep?
including lies, deception, and dehumanization of an enemy.
Yep, you got it right. But you seem genuinely not to grasp the nature of the on-going struggles. This is amazing to me. You are completely tuned out then, aren't you? That is your right of course.
I'm not out to win at all costs.
Abstractly though, if your enemy is 'out to win at all costs' -- and if one recognizes an enemy and opposition -- then at least you had better be aware of the nature of the fight and the depth the enemy will go.
I am not asserting that all aspects of our lives (civil or personal) are war-zones. But I am very convinced that wars are being conducted around us.
When I refer to being at war I mean to be acutely aware of what is at stake. That involves warrior clarity. And indeed a personal, intellectual heroism.
You sound as if you are inebriated or zoned-out. What do you read? Who are the authorities in opinion and idea that you pay attention to? Genuine question. How do you form your ideas of this world and what is going on, now, today, in it?