Tuesday, July 3, 2018

729: Trump Explained.....

Last Saturday Leonie Breebaart, philosopher and editor of the newspaper I read every day wrote an article in which she explained what is the case with Donald Trump.

Because this is the last lecture of this academic year for us, I thought it would be fun to share it with you. The following text is hers.

If I added something it will be between [ .... ]. So...here we go :-)

How deep can a world leader sink, diplomatically?
   
That after a summit, after you have already signed a treaty, from the airplane, through a tweet makes clear that you withdraw that signature again - because you feel insulted? 
  
Not a day goes by where Donald Trump does not offend people, or worse, but the sample of fuck-you behavior 
  
that he demonstrated at the beginning of this month after the G7 in Canada, again urgently raised the question 
   
of how it is possible for this president to be still supported by a substantial part of the Americans
   
and why his blunt style and its possible consequences have so little influence on his popularity. 
   
It gradually becomes a personality cult. In that respect, it is not surprising that the American and the North Korean leader seem to understand each other so well. 
  
Whatever the case, the Trump clan is less interested in Trump's ideas and plans than in his image of a strong man, who does exactly what he wants. 
   
Another decade ago, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman called humiliation the most underestimated factor in international politics. 
  
He was primarily referring to the hatred of young Muslims who, rightly or wrongly, feel humiliated by the West. 
   
But also the less violent cult around Trump is probably best explained by the fact that his whole appearance, personality 
  
and last but not least, his tweets give expression to the feeling with which the humiliated American can compensate for his loss of status, 
  
for example by marrying a far too young and beautiful woman, 
  
and not giving a shit about the impression you leave behind for all those arrogant know-it-all types who think they are better than him. 
     
The humiliated American, who is he? 
   
In particular the white American. 
   
The Atlantic reported this Spring that research from the University of Pennsylvania shows that Americans voted less for Donald Trump 
   
for economic reasons and more often because they believed that "white Americans would become a minority in their own country." 
   
That fear of a humiliating loss of status compensated these voters by thinking more negatively about other population groups, and also about countries such as China. 
  
That explains a lot. 
   
It is precisely Trumps' unprecedented blunt behavior towards minorities and towards other world leaders that gives it all a certain logic.
   
Trumps also tries to nullify everything that Obama, [the non-white American!], has achieved: the Iran deal, the new health care system, the environmental agreements. 
  
Because, if his predecessor, Obama, in his turn, stood for something, then it was for the type of man, that the older white American had never before considered a serious possibility. 
   
What a loss of status. Trump as avenger of the humiliated. It is of a huge sadness and dangerous, moreover. 
  
What the president achieves for the Americans, let alone for the North Koreans, or for the world peace, his fans are hardly interested. 
   
As long as he gives the losers the feeling of being great.
   
[ And didn't Trump say it himself. He declared his own country a looser by his slogan "To make America great again" 
  
and thus he put himself on the thrown as the King of the Losers. What a sadness indeed. ]

Thank you for your attention..^_^ 



The Discussion

   
[13:19] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): very astute
[13:19] oola Neruda: nods
[13:19] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:20] Hope (naskiff): Same old reasoning, I suppose...
[13:20] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): King of Losers..what a title
[13:20] CB Axel: I hope they still feel great when their hair falls out and their gums bleed after a nuclear war.
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and now he finally will meet with his most admired...... Putin
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): Trumps fanclub is in other words  all a bunch of racist loosers
[13:20] CB Axel: Losers
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and thats a sad thing for sure
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): many of them are bej
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): not all
[13:20] CB Axel: It's spelled losers. °͜°
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): but many
[13:21] herman Bergson: One thing is evident....
[13:21] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): thank you CH:)
[13:21] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): in any way trump and his folowers have to go
[13:21] oola Neruda: money is one of the factors.... look who is winning... the ultra rich...the corporations
[13:21] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): CB
[13:21] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): lol
[13:21] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): cause they create a world wide mess of hate and chaos
[13:21] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): correct
[13:21] CB Axel: What white men don't realize, or don't want to realize, is that they have NEVER, EVER been the majority in the US.
[13:21] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): Bergie!
[13:21] herman Bergson: only the white evangelicals (81%) voted for trump
[13:21] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): hi bergie
[13:21] bergfrau Apfelbaum: halliehello Herman and Class:-) sorry i am late ... my son was here
[13:21] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hi Bergie
[13:21] Hope (naskiff): If Trump followers have to go, how do you propose that it happens?
[13:21] herman Bergson: 78% of the black evangelicals didn't
[13:22] CB Axel: Hi, Bergie.
[13:22] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): no idea unfortunatley
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and many of them still accept his personal stuff because he is getting what they want
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): some are awakening
[13:22] Hope (naskiff): Does anyone have a suggestion?
[13:22] herman Bergson: Just wait Hope....
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): work hard to elect a different house of representatives in November
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): one
[13:22] oola Neruda: big, big koch brothers money is behind him as well
[13:23] herman Bergson: I give Trump 6 month to go.....
[13:23] CB Axel: Educate Americans. Get them to stop making stupid people famous. And vote, dammit!!!
[13:23] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): agree
[13:23] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i am not sure the kochs really like him
[13:23] oola Neruda: heritage foundation and others
[13:23] herman Bergson: if he is lucky it might be 8 months....
[13:23] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): that is hope herman
[13:23] Hope (naskiff): Education would be good.  For this, you need to help the poor.  That means blacks, latinos, "rednecks", to give them better education opportunities.
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and hope in the investigating committee
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): as i said before, first time i heard trumps rants i thought "no worries they will have that one locked up forever in some asylum soon"#
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but i was wrong
[13:24] CB Axel: We need to teach critical thinking.
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): they will be able to prove what a liar and crook he really is
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed
[13:24] herman Bergson: A 28 year old Latina won the primaries in New York...!
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i could se this immediatley so why couldnt they?
[13:25] CB Axel: I am SOOOO hoping that Mueller is finding all kinds of crimes Trump has done that can be prosecuted by the stage of New York and others.
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and I dont even live in US
[13:25] herman Bergson: With the most left of left ideas ever....among which free healthcare for everyone!
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right
[13:25] CB Axel: Yes, Herman. Wasn't that great!!!
[13:25] herman Bergson: Terrific...
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but i saw the signs of an Adolf Hitler V2 directly
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): actualy tho so was her opponent
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): he was NOT a bad guy
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): or something similarly horrible
[13:25] herman Bergson: and no worries...CB...Müller WILL find the crimes
[13:26] herman Bergson: and if he doesn't succeed Avenatti will :-))
[13:26] oola Neruda: the hitler parallels are what bother me
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): but for her precincts not the righht on
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): me too oola
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): so evident!!!!!!
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well he is maybe not THAT evil but
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): he is definitely a facist!!!
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): the first image i got from him was UUUUUH!
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): UH OH!
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): like that
[13:26] herman Bergson: Bejiita..Trump is a clear cut White Supremacist
[13:27] herman Bergson: that is so obvious
[13:27] oola Neruda: yes
[[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): oh yes
[13:27] CB Axel: And he thinks that because he has a nice apartment that it makes him great.
[13:27] CB Axel: smh
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and now the supreme court has upheld to a certain extent his ban on certain countries
[13:27] Hope (naskiff): Personally I started thinking that we can't be friends with all nations when this happened. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year%27s_Eve_sexual_assaults_in_Germany
[13:27] herman Bergson: lol...did you see that CB?
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): or he might be just that bad, in any case he have made some really awful stuff
[13:27] herman Bergson: And he too was smarter he said....
[13:27] CB Axel: The SCOTUS is about to get worse. :(
[13:28] CB Axel: SCOTUS = Supreme Court of the US.
[13:28] herman Bergson: who is scotus?
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i heard yesterday that for all his complaining about the money the special counsel investigation is costing it is less than WE have paid for his Florida trips
[13:28] herman Bergson: Ahh...
[13:28] CB Axel: Sorry.
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): at least he seemed to have calmed a global nuclear war down or have he (North Korea)
[13:29] CB Axel: Really, Gemma?
[13:29] Ciska Riverstone: all democrats and half of the republicans voted against the law you were so upset about last week herman
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes!!
[13:29] CB Axel rolls her eyes
[13:29] Ciska Riverstone: (I read it today in die zeit)
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but what he have done to all those children is unforgivable!
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): oh yes
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and that is still not really settled
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): they will probably never see their parents again
[13:30] Hope (naskiff): What would have been a better option for this children thing?
[13:30] CB Axel: What do sexual assaults in Germany have to do with Trump?
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): oola did i give you one of these??????
[13:30] herman Bergson: No...terrible matter
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): it helps
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hehe
[13:30] bergfrau Apfelbaum: lol
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): hatred of muslims
[13:30] herman Bergson: Keep the kids with their parents...
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): AAAAAARGGGHH TRUUUUUUMP!!!!
[13:30] oola Neruda: one of ???[,
[13:30] Hope (naskiff): Not hatred, but being careful about who you let in.
[13:30] herman Bergson: Dont criminalize immigrants...
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): TRUE
[13:31] Ciska Riverstone: and hope - look in today's die zeit for how many refugees go to other eu countries now
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): AND ALSO wHY CANT WE JUST ALL BE HUMAN?
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): the trump doll
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats what i want
[13:31] oola Neruda: oooh
[13:31] Ciska Riverstone: greece is supportive and takeing up more refugees
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): cause thats what we are in reality all the same
[13:31] CB Axel: Hope, crossing the border illegally is a misdemeanor. Throwing them in jail is not what we do for misdemeanors.
[13:31] oola Neruda: love that
[13:31] Ciska Riverstone: plus all in all the crime statistics do go down in Germany
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:31] Ciska Riverstone: since 3 years
[13:31] Hope (naskiff): Mmm well I agree they should just be sent out.
[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): they just want to survive, if it rained bombs where you lived would you not flee to some other place?
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right
[13:32] roos Gartner is offline.
[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): safer
[13:32] CB Axel: Not to mention, that the conditions those people are fleeing were very likely caused by the US interfering in their governments.
[13:32] Ciska Riverstone: they will be distributed in the eu differently
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): that is very true too
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): in the past
[13:32] oola Neruda: the place that gives me the creeps is Budhapest
[13:32] Ciska Riverstone: greece backs that up now fully
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): us supported teh wrong issues in central america
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and caused some of these conditions that they are trying to escape
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats also true
[13:33] herman Bergson: The US supported commercial interests
[13:33] oola Neruda: we should be supporting efforts in those countries to help make it safe for people to live there
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): of course
[13:33] CB Axel: I agree, oola.
[13:33] oola Neruda: instead of just exploiting them for minerals, oil and whatever
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): problem is how do you top an ongoing war?
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): stop
[13:34] CB Axel: But instead we start trade wars.
[13:34] herman Bergson: indeed oola
[13:34] Hope (naskiff): We definitely should, but the US can hardly take care of its people right now, that makes a lot of well-meaning ideas risky.
[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): every  cent of our so called tax relief wil go to pay for the tariff results
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): Syria is all but wiped out from the face of the planet and those who have survived have all fled from the place, over 500000 are dead
[13:34] herman Bergson: What do you mean Hope?
[13:34] CB Axel: Our people would be taken care of if the money was properly distributed.
[13:35] oola Neruda: and it is worse in the us now because the richest have even more of the percentage of money and POWER
[13:35] CB Axel: Trickle down economics doesn't work.
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): money is indeed a big issue
[13:35] CB Axel: It never has. It never will.
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): cause EVERYTHING is not money!
[13:35] Hope (naskiff): I mean the poor can't even afford basic healthcare and education, and it was even worse during Obamacare.  Some farmers used to be poor enough to be eligible for food stamps, I don't know if that has changed yet.
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): sigh
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): teachers were eligible then too hope
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): but every year of Obama administration things were coming back!!!!
[13:36] CB Axel: The Walton family (Wal-mart) is stinking fucking rich, but their employees have to apply for food stamps just to shop at Wal-fucking-mart!
[13:36] herman Bergson: YEs Hope...serious issues in one of the richest countries of the world.....!
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): employment rose every year
[13:36] oola Neruda: there's a book...REPORT FROM IRON MOUNTAIN.... that was widely read in the 60's that talks about the use of war and tactics like trump uses...... as "good for the rich"
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats crazy
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): take a look at the charts
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): this president thinks he did it all
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): NOT
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and the national debt has risen
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and wil continue
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): propaganda!!!!
[13:38] CB Axel: (a trill in the violins in the music here sounded like my weather radio sending out a warning. LOL)
[13:38] oola Neruda: what farmers.... the corporations own the farms now...and have for a long time.... the small farmer hardly exists anymore
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ohoh
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): bad storms headed this way too
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hehe well Trump surney cause a tornado of chaos
[13:38] Hope (naskiff): I guess they don't matter then...
[13:38] herman Bergson: ohh dear ..ohh dear....
[13:39] oola Neruda: and the corporate farmers who sell soy beans are upset with the tarrifs
[13:39] herman Bergson: Time to stay ahead of the storm (y)
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): true
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): oh yes
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): many companies are
[13:39] herman Bergson: But....when you listen to our debate....
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and now they cannot find workers they need either
[13:39] oola Neruda: hee hee.... Harley Davidson... has my attention... and more loyalty than ever
[13:39] herman Bergson: We are no geniuses, just average people form this globe....
[13:40] herman Bergson: It means that there are many many others who think like we do here....
[13:40] herman Bergson: In other words....where there is time.....there is hope
[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i do have a feeling however that there are many who voted for him only Not to have Clinton... independents
[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): who will not vote for him again
[13:41] herman Bergson: So let's take our time now and enjoy our vacation :-))
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): you too Heman
[13:41] Ciska Riverstone: you too herman
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): now that you have us all riled up!!!!!!
[13:41] herman Bergson: SO...thank you all again for this great Grand finale :-))
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
[13:41] Hope (naskiff): Yes, most of us "Trump supporters" are no fan of the man, we believe he's the lesser mistake between the two.
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): might be
[13:41] herman Bergson: Class dismissed..... ^_^
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): in any case it have not gone well and something needs to be done
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but that we can solve later hopefully
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): now time for a nice summer vaccation for me too
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): lets all keep in touch
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): last day at work tomorrow
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako):
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): you should open the group chat herman
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ill be in here now and then still
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): so we can say hihi
[13:42] CB Axel: I wasn't a Hillary fan, but I sure as hell didn't think a misogynist, gready, lying, son of a bitch was a better choice.
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed CB
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): beertje
[13:43] CB Axel: Oh, that's right, Bejiita. Vacation time for you!
[13:43] Hope (naskiff): But it's just appearances
[13:43] herman Bergson: lol...CB....you had no choice
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well well whats happened have happened
[13:43] CB Axel: Hope, all Trump has is appearances.
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): now it needs to be set right again
[13:43] CB Axel: He's all theater and no substance.
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): sigh
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): always was
[13:43] CB Axel: He's a colossal jack ass and always has been.
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yep
[13:43] herman Bergson: OK GEmma, I'll open the group chat for the coming two months
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): great
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako):
[13:44] Hope (naskiff): Obama had a lot of appearance too, he seemed classy and intelligent.  It makes it hard to believe he would be a terrible man.
[13:44] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): :)
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): is a wonderful man
[13:44] CB Axel: He is classy and intelligent. WTF????
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed I liked Obama, seemed to be a good guy for sure
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): respectful of all
[13:44] Hope (naskiff): seemed being the key word
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and sympathetic to all
[13:44] herman Bergson: And that is what Trump HATES, Gemma
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): he is!!
[13:44] oola Neruda: love and respect Obama
[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): not seemed
[13:44] CB Axel: What Obama are you talking about?
[13:44] herman Bergson: That a black man can be a great man as president
[13:45] Hope (naskiff): Obama treated his janitor like a human being, while he was bombing Libya.
[13:45] CB Axel: He has more class in his little finger than Trump has in his entire family.
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): that was a joint effort and france did the bombing
[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): check it out!
[13:45] herman Bergson: True...
[13:46] Hope (naskiff): My point is, class is all appearances.  Just being a president has good appearances doesn't mean he's a good man.   Don't judge a book by its cover.
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i have to go run a fishign contest
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Please
[13:46] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): bye Gemma
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): cu Gemma
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): the man was a professor in a law school
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and everyone else
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako):
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): he was a scholar
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): have a good vacation now
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako):
[13:46] herman Bergson: True Hope, but also take the whole political picture into account
[13:46] CB Axel: I don't, Hope. I judge Trump by everything he has ever done his entire life.
[13:46] Ciska Riverstone: u too bejiita
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): he was an attorney in a law firm
[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ran a great family
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): senator in state senate
[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako):
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): senator in us senate
[13:47] CB Axel: That Obama is a lawyer is the only bad thing I can say about him. LOL
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): constitutional lawyer
[13:47] Hope (naskiff): Heh... :/
[13:47] herman Bergson: :-)
[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako):
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): have you read his books????????
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): his early life????
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): check them out
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): bye
[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): oki
[13:47] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i will b late
[13:48] CB Axel: Imagine that. A president who understands the constitution.
[13:48] CB Axel: I need to get something to eat.
[13:48] CB Axel: Have a great vacation, everyone.
[13:48] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa me to, hungry from all dancing before
[13:48] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): eheh
[13:48] herman Bergson: Yes...you look pale CB....!
[13:48] CB Axel: See you in September. °͜°
[13:48] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): cu around
[13:48] Hope (naskiff): Take care everyone.
[13:48] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): i need to sleep
[13:48] Ciska Riverstone: bon appetite CB
[13:48] herman Bergson: I'll be there CB Deo volente :-))
[13:48] oola Neruda: happy vacation time...ALL
[13:49] bergfrau Apfelbaum: thanks for the great and interesting school year! thank you for the work, Professor Herman :-)  and thanks for the good talks, dear class :-)) happy holidays, sun in your hearts
[13:49] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): have a nice vacation all
[13:49] bergfrau Apfelbaum: ***** APPPPPPPLLLLAAAUUUSSSSEEEEEEE***********
[13:49] Ciska Riverstone APPLAUDS!!!



728: Origins of Modern Racism....

About 2.5 million years ago the homo habilis showed the intelligence and skill to use tools 
   
and 600.000 to 300.000 years ago the homo heidelbergensis discovered the use of fire and spears,
  
the first obvious proof for an active (big game) hunt. Homo heidelbergensis already had intellectual and cognitive skills 
   
like anticipatory planning, thinking and acting that so far have only been attributed to modern man  
   
Behavioral modernity, involving the development of language, figurative art and early forms of religion (etc.) is taken to have arisen before 40,000 years ago,

July 25, 1978, exactly 40 years ago the first IVF baby of the world was born in the United Kingdom. So much for the evolution of mankind. 
    
A few weeks ago there was a hearing with members of parliament and scientists, the latter who pleaded for more room for embryo breeding.
   
One of the wishes was allowance of experimenting with genetic engineering on cultured embryos.
   
This by means of the CRISPR-CAS9 methode, with which it is possible to remove some "sick" DNA and replace it with healthy DNA.
   
The article in my newspaper of Monday, June 25 was of course zooming on on the ethical aspects of these wishes of scientists and legislation.
  
I'll not elaborate on that subject now, for what I want to point out firstly is  the acceleration of evolution
    
and more important , second, on whose shoulders we are standing here: a whole group of actual racist scientists of the early 1900s.
    
You could say, that modern racism and the belief in White Supremacy came to full growth in the first decade of the 20th century.
       
There are a number of reasons. Firstly there is the acceptance of Darwinian evolution. The fittest survives
  
and of course the white Europeans and Americans saw in themselves the proof, motivated by the terrific science they had developed.
  
A second reason was Hugo de Vries, who had rediscovered the heredity laws of Mendel and introduced the concept of genes. I mentioned him already  in a previous lecture.
  
The discovery, that human traits were hereditary, was of course just on step away for the belief in races.
   
The next step was the Eugenic Movement, which was actually founded by a half-cousin of Charles Darwin, Francis Galton (1822-1911) .
     
However, the idea is not new. Plato (348 BC+) was already advising eugenics. He believed human reproduction should be monitored and controlled by the state. 
  
However, Plato understood this form of government control would not be readily accepted, and proposed the truth be concealed from the public via a fixed lottery. 
   
Mates, in Plato's Republic, would be chosen by a "marriage number" in which the quality of the individual would be quantitatively analyzed, 
  
and persons of high numbers would be allowed to procreate with other persons of high numbers. 
  
In theory, this would lead to predictable results and the improvement of the human race. 
  
Sir Francis Galton systematized these ideas and practices according to new knowledge about the evolution of man and animals provided by the theory of his half-cousin Charles Darwin.
   
And thus our present day racism is derived from that  pseudo-scientific justification, which showed its true face in Nazi-Germany.
   
We have to live with it and it has not disappeared. White Supremacy is still a serious topic in some countries.

Thank you for your attention again...


The Discussion

[13:25] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): thank you Herman
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): Indeed Trump
[13:25] herman Bergson: And...LAcy....Trump is a perfect example of White Supremacy thinking indeed
[13:25] CB Axel: Even though there is nothing supreme about him but his ego.
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): white supremacy, greed and thinking he can do anything with women as well
[13:26] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): it as large as his feet:)
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that kind of type
[13:26] herman Bergson: There is nothing supreme about any of us, CB..we are just human beings....
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): all the same
[13:26] CB Axel: True. Just try telling Trump and his kind that.
[13:26] herman Bergson: two legs two arms and a head with a brain init...an dthat brain is the problem :-)
[13:27] Hope (naskiff): Should we expect Trump to be human too, or super human just because he's president?
[13:27] CB Axel: I've seen the insides of enough people to know that under our skin we're all pretty much the same.
[13:27] CB Axel: He thought he was super human before idiots elected him president.
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): Trump is not human, he is a monster AND a bloddy idiot
[13:27] Hope (naskiff): How do you know he thought that?
[13:28] herman Bergson: To be president of the US is no big deal at all...any idiot can become it...Trump is the proof...you only need money
[13:28] CB Axel: From everything he said and did before he ran.
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): seems so sadly
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): money = respect no matter how big an asshole you are
[13:28] CB Axel: I've hated him since at least the 80's, so, you know, before it was cool.
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats a BIG problem
[13:28] herman Bergson: Trump has a serious inferiority complex....
[13:29] herman Bergson: that is why he always yells that he is so smart
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well thats true for sure
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and why he calls everyone else for having Low IQ
[13:29] herman Bergson: any smart person is justt smart and keeps his mouth shut :-)
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): wneh its him who have low IQ
[13:29] CB Axel: I believe that, Herman. He covers it up with bravado.
[13:30] herman Bergson: Yes CB....did you see him on that convention....
[13:30] herman Bergson: HE was bragging about the ELITE...
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed, screams and rants, as i said before i had hoped first time i saw him and heard his rant that someone would lock him up in an asylum
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that was 1 year before the electin
[13:30] herman Bergson: The man said....THE ELITE...I have a more beautiful apartment...
[13:30] Hope (naskiff): But nobody knows these things...?   You make assumptions because you disagree with him, and you treat it as facts about his IQ and his ego.
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but no he ended up in the white house instead!
[13:31] CB Axel: His ego is out there for all to see.
[13:31] herman Bergson: I guess you respond to Bejiita , Hope?
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well for on thing i hate braggers, thinking they are better then anyone else and constantly ranting about it, plus he lies a lot
[13:31] Hope (naskiff): Isn't there more to learn if you assume that somehow he's not that dumb?  It would be pretty interesting to ponder about why there are such big differences in opinion if it's not due to idiocy.  It's too simple.
[13:32] herman Bergson: Trump isn't dumb at all..on the contrary....
[13:32] herman Bergson: But what he is doing is destroying his country....
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed, just made 100s of children forever orphans
[13:33] CB Axel: Perhaps he's intelligent, but he is so deficient in every other characteristic that I admire that any intellect he has is insignificant.
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): 1000s
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): :(
[13:33] herman Bergson: At the moment Chana has already moved in as worldleader number one!
[13:33] herman Bergson: China
[13:33] CB Axel: He is human trash, a waste of space, and poor use of oxygen.
[13:33] Hope (naskiff): I wonder if most people who live in China care about that...  :/
[13:34] herman Bergson: The US has become a totally unreliable ally for anyone....
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hehehe agree CB, lets bury him under a landfill 100s of miles from nearest civilisation
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hehe
[13:34] herman Bergson: You go to the G7...sign a treaty and then tweet from your Airforce One...I retract my signature
[13:34] Hope (naskiff): Interesting, did he explain why he did that?
[13:35] Lacy (alisa.menna): heheh
[13:35] herman Bergson: Yes....he felt offended for some reason
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): cause he did not liked someones tweet
[13:35] CB Axel: That would only solve a small bit of the problem, Bejiita. There are many others like him running businesses in this country.
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and got upset and started screaming like a baby in a sandbox again
[13:35] herman Bergson: No..was Trudeau...what he said
[13:35] Hope (naskiff): Trudeau isn't just "someone"...
[13:36] herman Bergson: Certainly not...
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): name seems at least familiar
[13:36] Hope (naskiff): Lol.
[13:36] herman Bergson: But to get back to our main point of today....
[13:36] Hope (naskiff): Justin Trudeau is Canada's prime minister.
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah
[13:36] herman Bergson: Yes he is :-)
[13:37] herman Bergson: we inherited modern racism form the early years of the 20th century...
[13:37] herman Bergson: the belief that there are races....
[13:37] Lacy (alisa.menna): i apologize for "slight" misdirection
[13:37] herman Bergson: ABSOLUTE NONSENSE...
[13:37] Lacy (alisa.menna): *the..
[13:38] herman Bergson: there do not exist pure races anymore on this planet...
[13:38] herman Bergson: two or three lectures ago Ciska gave us a URL of Youtube...
[13:39] herman Bergson: you should have watched that
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yep
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): was a good one
[13:40] herman Bergson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyaEQEmt5ls
[13:40] herman Bergson: watch this...
[13:40] herman Bergson: and be healed :-))
[13:40] CB Axel: It's pretty funny when white supremacists have their DNA tested and find out they have African genes. °͜°
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako):
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): we all are from there so
[13:41] herman Bergson: there was an englishman who hated Germans....He had German ancestory, CB :-)
[13:41] CB Axel: Right, Bejiita. °͜°
[13:42] CB Axel: What if all the DNA testing people are getting done just starts to change the face of racism?
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): however the comments laim its all fake, that the people are only acting
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that the video is staged
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but not sure bout that
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i just watched it and the message i agree is true
[13:42] herman Bergson: ahh...is it FAKE NEWS, Bejiita?
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): haha
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hopefully its not
[13:43] herman Bergson: I think it is improbable....
[13:43] CB Axel: What if someone has their's tested and find out that they have DNA from every country except, and I'll pick on Bejiita here, Sweden?
[13:43] CB Axel: Will that person begin to discriminate against Swedes?
[13:43] herman Bergson: for our DNA contains so much  information...
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): you mean if i would do a dna test and not have any Swedish dna in me?
[13:43] herman Bergson: Well then Bejiita has a problem :-))
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hehe
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well im just me anyway
[13:44] CB Axel whispers: You'd sure have a lot of questions for your parents. LOL
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako):
[13:44] herman Bergson: Sweden doesnt exist at all..Bejiita invented it..:-)))
[13:44] CB Axel: LOL
[13:44] CB Axel: All these countries are invented.
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hahaha
[13:45] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well thats true
[13:45] herman Bergson: Yes...there is only Second Life...:-)
[13:45] Hope (naskiff): There's some irony here... ^^  If someone straight from Africa moves to another country like Sweden and they have no swedish DNA, is that a problem too?
[13:45] Hope (naskiff): Unless I'm missing something
[13:45] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): don't laugh. ..i'm part Begian
[13:45] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): Belgian
[13:46] herman Bergson: Why would be having any kind of DNA a problem between human beings, Hope?
[13:46] CB Axel: No. Why would it. Unless the Swedes decide to start discriminating against anyone with Swedish heritage.
[13:46] Lacy (alisa.menna) whispers: i'm part Beagle Hound
[13:47] Hope (naskiff): I don't know, I can't think of a reason...  I just thought it was amusing that the possibility of a Swede having no Swedish DNA would be strange.  I was just nitpicking maybe.
[13:47] CB Axel: But DNA testing could start people looking into themselves and deciding that their combination of genes is the best and all others need to get out of their way.
[13:47] Lacy (alisa.menna): Eventually, everyone will be one colour.
[13:48] CB Axel: There could very possibly be people in Sweden without any Swedish blood.
[13:48] Hope (naskiff): And all the same.
[13:48] CB Axel: I agree, Lacy.
[13:48] herman Bergson: Well...CB...that is what I was talking about....the fact that we can "repai" DNA.....
[13:48] CB Axel: I hope so, anyway.
[13:48] herman Bergson: Creepy thing
[13:48] Lacy (alisa.menna): and we'll all get along better.
[13:49] Hope (naskiff): It will be a sad day for those who like Asian women...  or black guys...  or big butts or freckles.
[13:49] Hope (naskiff): It will be great for everybody else.
[13:50] herman Bergson: What do I hear here...white supremacy?
[13:50] CB Axel: There is at least one scientist I've heard about who is worried that CRISPR might cause problems in DNA while repairing the part it fixes. He/she thinks it can make the altered DNA more vulnerable to cancer.
[13:50] herman Bergson: Which skin color should we pick...???
[13:50] herman Bergson: I suggest GREEN for everyone...
[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hahaa
[13:50] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): or Blue
[13:50] Hope (naskiff): That's the thing, why do we need to pick *one* colour?  :P
[13:50] herman Bergson: No debate about race anymore...
[13:50] Hope (naskiff): What's wrong with diversity?
[13:51] herman Bergson: we are all frogs
[13:51] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well if you could in some simple way in demand change skin color id surely want to see how id look black
[13:51] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): prefer white
[13:51] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): id think id look kind of cool
[13:51] Lacy (alisa.menna): i want to be mystery flavoured.
[13:51] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako):
[13:51] herman Bergson: The movie AVATAR....Blue is the color ! :-))
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): those looks really nice too
[13:52] CB Axel: I saw a picture of what at least one person thought we'd look like in the future. One race made from the merging of all. There would still be diversity, but the basic model would be the same.
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako):
[13:52] herman Bergson: As I said...it is Second Life
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako):
[13:52] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): if you mix every color you get white
[13:53] Lacy (alisa.menna): aww
[13:53] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): try it
[13:53] CB Axel: We would all be a pretty caramel color, according to the picture I saw. I thought the person looked very attractive. °͜°
[13:53] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): it's true
[13:53] Hope (naskiff): So it will be like cane sugar to one extreme and stevia sugar to the other extreme, and sugar in everything...  no other spices allowed.
[13:53] herman Bergson: no...you get black
[13:53] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): no
[13:53] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): only in the RGB scheme
[13:53] Lacy (alisa.menna): Black Trumps all other colours
[13:53] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and with CMYK you get black if u mix them all
[13:53] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): rainbow spectrum give white though
[13:53] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): yes:)
[13:54] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but non of these colors are in our skin
[13:54] herman Bergson: you confuse additive and subtractive light, Beertje
[13:54] herman Bergson: in paint you get black in light you get white indeed
[13:54] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): i'm confused about everything now
[13:54] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): I paint a bit
[13:55] Hope (naskiff): So ...is...  anyone interested in pondering what's wrong with the skin diversity that we have now?  *tentatively raises her hand* ...no?  ...ok *lowers it...*
[13:55] herman Bergson: yes..but never mix all colors to get white :-))
[13:55] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i do a lot of 3d graphics for my games so have a good check on things like this
[13:55] herman Bergson: what skin diversity Hope?
[13:55] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): to get the proper colors on things no matter if its paint on a house or a person
[13:56] CB Axel: I don't think there's anything wrong with skin diversity. I just think that as people of different colors get together and have babies, we'll all eventually become one color.
[13:56] Hope (naskiff): It ranges from very light beige to very dark brown.  Compared to everyone being more or less medium brown...
[13:56] CB Axel: Which is what the person who made the picture I mentioned was thinking.
[13:56] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): doens't it depend on how much sunlight you get?
[13:57] Hope (naskiff): No, black are born that way
[13:57] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): in the north people are mostly white
[13:57] herman Bergson: YEs CB...at the end we all would become a kind og=f light brownish color
[13:57] CB Axel: And it's not that we're trying to become one color. It's just what's happening as people from different races reproduce together.
[13:57] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): there are no races ...
[13:57] CB Axel: Even black people tan.
[13:57] Hope (naskiff): Okay. So it seems inevitable...  will it be a good thing, bad thing, or just meh?
[13:57] CB Axel: It will just be.
[13:57] Hope (naskiff): So, no loss then.
[13:58] CB Axel: Nope.
[13:58] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well i guess we can soon change the color genetically, as said id thought a while how i would look black
[13:58] CB Axel: And, like I said, I thought it looked pretty. °͜°
[13:58] herman Bergson: what is good or bad about a skin color...NOTHING....it is a cultural bias, prejudice that does it
[13:58] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): id look great like that i think
[13:58] Hope (naskiff): So those who like the xtremes or freckles, they'll either die out anyway or suck it up and adapt...
[13:59] CB Axel: I think there will still be freckles.
[13:59] Lacy (alisa.menna): That's a lot of tattoo ink.
[13:59] CB Axel: Some black people have freckles.
[13:59] CB Axel: I have a black coworker with freckles.
[13:59] Lacy (alisa.menna): Do they have red hair too ?
[13:59] herman Bergson: That black actor...Freeman..? HWE has freckles too
[13:59] Hope (naskiff): Skin colour does have an impact, it's visual, it's part of beauty, and it's different.  One doesn't have to be better than another, but preferences are awesome and so are differences.  That's why there are more ice cream flavours than vanilla.
[13:59] CB Axel: He has some reddish highlights.
[14:00] Lacy (alisa.menna): Cool
[14:00] CB Axel nods
[14:00] herman Bergson: Well...my friends...
[14:00] herman Bergson: Guess we saved the world another time again...
[14:00] Lacy (alisa.menna): If we all looked the same, there would be no beautiful or ugly.
[14:01] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako):
[14:01] herman Bergson: May I thank you all for your participation....:-)
[14:01] CB Axel: Only one more lecture before the summer hols. :(
[14:01] herman Bergson: Class dismissed....^_^
[14:01] Hope (naskiff): It was fun and I hope I'm not hated too much. :P
[14:01] CB Axel: Thank you, Herman.
[14:01] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): I might be out dance battling on Thursday, will see, a festival beginning
[14:01] CB Axel: I enjoyed the discussion, Hope.
[14:01] herman Bergson: You are totally loved here , Hope...
[14:01] Hope (naskiff): Cheers. :)
[14:01] Lacy (alisa.menna): She is ?
[14:01] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): maybe, ill gonna go down and see if my buddies are there
[14:01] Lacy (alisa.menna) giggles
[14:02] herman Bergson: What should we do when there is no hope????
[14:02] CB Axel: LOL
[14:02] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): create hope
[14:02] Hope (naskiff): I like that!
[14:02] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako):
[14:02] herman Bergson: Good one Bejiita!
[14:02] Lacy (alisa.menna): watch episode four ?
[14:02] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): im gonna create a lot of hope at that event
[14:02] CB Axel: See you Thursday. Bye.
[14:02] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): do my best
[14:02] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): bye for now
[14:02] Hope (naskiff): Good bye. :)
[14:03] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): nice as usual
[14:03] herman Bergson: Yes..Thursday may be a revelation...on Trump :-)
[14:03] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako):
[14:03] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): :)
[14:03] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): can't wait







.