Sociology – Survive with Will – Thoughtful Analysis & Perceptions https://www.survivewithwill.com Thoughtful Analysis, Perceptions, Commentary, and Interviews on Everything Important in the World Tue, 20 Jul 2021 08:37:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://i0.wp.com/www.survivewithwill.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/cropped-American_Flag_1.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Sociology – Survive with Will – Thoughtful Analysis & Perceptions https://www.survivewithwill.com 32 32 139766861 Classical Liberalism vs. Social Liberalism https://www.survivewithwill.com/2021/07/20/classical-liberalism-vs-social-liberalism/ Tue, 20 Jul 2021 08:35:46 +0000 http://www.survivewithwill.com/?p=1655 Read More]]>

Classical liberalism was the dominating political philosophy of the United States of America’s Founding Fathers. The Articles of Confederation, the Federalist, Anti-Federalist papers, the US Constitution, and most of the other foundational documents formed and established the nation as it was in 1776.

John Locke turned the world’s view of the relationship between “the People” and the Government on its head. In 1776 the majority of people believed that their government granted the only rights that they had them. Thomas Jefferson argued that, as Locke inferred, “People have rights apart from the government, as part of their nature.” Classic liberals believe that “People” have the innate right to form and dissolve governments and that the only “legitimate” purpose of the government is to protect those rights.

Limited government, individuality, liberty, and freedom were the keynotes of classic liberalism.

Classical Liberal, Conservative, Social Liberal, those terms were brought to the forefront by John Locke.

The John Locke Foundation does a great job of explaining the complex nature of the original and today's meaning of the terms (nomenclature).

Quoting the John Locke Foundation

Some people ask us: Is the John Locke Foundation a Republican group? No, the John Locke Foundation is nonpartisan.

Others ask: Is the John Locke Foundation conservative? The answer to this question is not as simple.

The John Locke Foundation believes in free markets, limited constitutional government, and personal responsibility. In the modern American political context, those principles are labeled conservative. Historically, and in most other countries today, those have been considered liberal or “classical liberal” principles. Some observers also consider those principles libertarian.

If someone asks whether the John Locke Foundation is conservative, (classically) liberal, or libertarian, the appropriate answer is “yes.”

Read more on the founding principles that motivated the creation of the John Locke Foundation.

 

Classical Liberalism Results
Limited Centralized Government The Governmental power remains close to the people assuring that they are able to manage the government's actions.
Limited Government Intrusion into general life. No Nanny State, Preserving the maximum amount of freedom and self-determination.
Personal responsibility is the underpinning of a free society  It is the core of classical liberalism (WH)Classical Liberalism embodies individuality, self-reliance, and independence of one's self.
The freedom without central oversight fosters innovation, risk-taking, free thought, advancement in everything.
No government involvement in the economy Innovation and increased production spring from the freedoms

Allowed people to create great wealth.
The role of government is to protect individuals' natural rights to life, liberty, and property. The people thrive. They are free to create new things and new opportunities. Also, they are able to able to
Supports economic liberalism.

It promotes the freedoms that allow people to take risks, innovate, and create businesses.

 Fosters the advancements in
Social (Modern) Liberalism
Full-time government intervention in the economy  Destroys innovation, risk-taking, free thought

 

Further reading regarding Classical Liberalism and John Locke.

Check out the article on this site entitled:

John Locke – Intellectual, Philosopher

John Locke first defined the differences between Classical Liberals and Social Liberals.

Hopefully the links to the public domain library - Liberty Fund will remain viable.
The Works of John Locke in Nine Volumes

A nine volume collection of the works of John Locke.

The Works of John Locke in Nine Volumes, (London: Rivington, 1824 12th ed.).

Copyright: The text is in the public domain.

Found in:

Members of this set:

 

 

]]> 1655 The Life Cycle of a Republic https://www.survivewithwill.com/2018/11/11/the-life-cycle-of-a-republic/ Sun, 11 Nov 2018 18:40:23 +0000 http://www.survivewithwill.com/?p=1664 Read More]]>

The survival of the West and the USA depends on a return to respect for antiquity, history, the lessons that it teaches, and a respect for deferred pleasure in turn for community, innovation, success, and civility.

Hieronymus Bosch’s famous triptych painting "The garden of earthly delight". The outer panels are intended to bracket the main central panel between the Garden of Eden depicted on the left panel; all things in order, the center panel; unbridled freedom, opulence, debauchery, and the right panel depicted the Last Judgment; basically, hell or total destruction of all that was good. The triptych was a 16th century dire warning on the perils of life's temptations

The Founding Fathers of the USA spent years studying the governmental forms and machinations of antiquity. They were especially influenced by the Athenian Republic. The nation was highly successful, affluent, and developed both tangible and intellectual wonders. The more success that a nation and its people enjoy, the more focused on self-interest and promiscuous behaviors. Although Bosch painted the Garden of Eden, around 1500 AD, it underscored the process our founding fathers understood. The Founding Fathers fully comprehended the self-destructive nature or unbridled freedoms.

The nearly unlimited freedoms afforded by a Republic fuels debauchery. Slowly altering the Republic into a Democracy. The Republic stands on the collective input of its people, deferring pleasure in return for stability and long-term happiness and civility. A democracy, where two wolves and one sheep vote on who is for dinner. As time goes on the democracy descends into anarchy and chaos. When the people are only focused on themselves there is no interest or the greater good or community. History proves the life cycle from Athenian and Roman culture to European and South American nations.

Whatever your personal beliefs about religion, few can argue the value of the community that it creates and the way that it binds its members together. Judeo Christian morals are tied to deferred pleasure. Those morals help to temper the natural human desire for immediate pleasure. Nothing great comes easily, progress, and long-term success is forged in tempered action and planning. With or without religion those values are the key to a lasting Republic.

Modernity, post-modern, and consumerism all exemplify a slide into immediate gratification. A nation whose people are obsessed with them will fail. All creativity, creation, development, and future planning is sacrificed for NOW! The USA is in the throws of that now. Our path to survival demands that we eradicate those preaching selfish immediate gratification. We must replace them with people who teach deferred pleasure in turn for great rewards down the road.

]]> 1664 Civil Protest and Reasoned Civil Discourse https://www.survivewithwill.com/2018/10/14/civil-protest-and-reasoned-civil-discourse/ Sun, 14 Oct 2018 22:56:48 +0000 http://www.survivewithwill.com/?p=1640 Read More]]>

 

As a point of context I am a trained investigator. I specialized in combating organized intimidation protests by NGOs and domestic terror groups for 20 of my 30-year career.

There is a dangerous pattern of activities intensifying with each event in the USA. There has been an exponential increase in civil disobedience, intimidation protesting, and violent mob activity. There is no room for engaging in civil discourse when picketers blow air horns or yell over you when you speak. Such behaviors contribute nothing to changing hearts and minds.

The media and some politicians cloak these activities in a pseudo historical context mislabeling them as part of our history and as free speech and peaceful protest. In fact, prior to the 1970’s when police began being trained in “cultural sensitivity” and crowd control, every example of such behavior was met with Billy clubs, chemical CS (mace), and extreme force. We were a civil society where people actually had peaceful, respectful debate, and dialectic. Citizens of the USA coveted their individual rights to speak, publish, and present their ideas to stimulate change or thought.

NGO = Non Government Organizations

Beginning in the 1960’s the minions from Laurel Canyon in California, an araldite neighbor which also was the home of   yielded a plethora of social and musical icons with clear links to military / intelligence, subversion / operations working from the military covert operations center located in Laurel Canyon, it was called Lookout Mountain Air Force Station (LMAFS) (now converted into a private residence. The station was involved in “producing motion pictures and still photographs for the USDOD and the Atomic Energy Commission. It influenced many of the most iconic and abhorrent personalities of the era to foment violent civil unrest, sow division in the society, and implement intimidation protests all over the country. What was the result? An increase in government surveillance powers and numerous infringements on civil and constitutional rights including the 1st, 2nd, and 4th amendments. These operations are designed to play on the weakness of humanity. They instill fear into the people. The people in their fear beg the government to take their rights in return for the illusion of security. As it has been said, “Any man who surrenders his freedom for safety and security will neither receive nor deserve either.”

Checkout this book - Weird Scenes Inside The Canyon - Laurel Canyon, Covert Ops & The Dark Heart Of The Hippie Dream By David McGOWAN

The residents of Laurel Canyon ranged from Jim Morrison and Frank Zappa to David Crosby, Neil Young, and Charles Manson, they all spent a lot of time together and had direct ties to the intel community.

I have seen many times where NGOs organized a protest. They insert a small number of instigators and those instigators take the front line. The sheeple follow. After some hollow rhetoric they antagonize the opposing group members with maddening illogical tripe. They build frustration in the opponent’s minds, then generally one bad actor will covertly strike with one or two acts of physical battery. The act is happens so fast that it is innocuous even to those standing nearby. The assailant then recedes into the crowd. The opposition responds blindly and forcefully in self-defense with physical action. A glaring example of this formula is the incident at involving ANTIFA and Eric Canton, a professor with Antifa slipped forward in the crowd, smashed a Trump rally supporter on the head with a heavy steel bicycle lock, then he just melted away into the crowd. See the article (randomly chosen for the photo.) Click Here

Sadly, whatever you think about the sheeple, they are intentionally drawn into the line of violence. This pageant play is repeated all over the world by these paid organizers. They carefully orchestrate the melee. The organizers of the original offending protest assure that when the media interviews the “victims” of their group who were “attacked” by their opposition they can honestly say, “we were just peacefully protesting and “they” attacked us. Of course, in fact technically it was not them, but that they were set up by wrongdoers in their own group to be victimized. They don’t even see what happens right in front of them, people are oblivious. That is why Situational Awareness is Critical to your survival. See the article on my sister site - PracticePreparedness.com and the radio show on the subject too. Click Here

Over 20 years spent dealing with animal rights, environmental, and other protest groups we video recorded hundreds of intimidation and covert attack incidents. Going undercover into these organizations I sat through weeks of training / brainwashing classes where the NGOs were setting up people to “organize at the grassroots level”. Of course, they had offices in the center of the city where monthly rental was upside of $200,000 per year or more. The claim that the working groups of the NGOs were "Grassroots uprisings" was a total sham.

That said, it is crucial for our success and survival of our society that you understand how these groups work. Immediately identify the bad actors. Take their pictures, try to do it early, use video instead of stills, sweep the crowd. Mull about holding your smartphone up to get them and act like you are talking on the phone and looking a picture or something. Do it surreptitiously if possible. Do it way before the situation heats up. Hide the photos away or upload them to the cloud so you can pull them up immediately after an attack for the law enforcement to be able to find and arrest them. Play the video for law enforcement and freeze it on the actor for ID. Always backup the data for your own protection later.

These NGO organized groups have trained tactical Medics and organizers. Their primary goal is to create an incident that will allow the media to get a “gotcha moment” that will be used against you and your cause. Do not allow them to win at this game.

Finally, shed your ego when you go to these events. If you choose to engage the opposition, hold fast to facts, empirical data, suppress emotion, never yell, never name call, and never show fear. Shallow platitudes shrink against the light of truth. Analytical, unemotional responses which cause the opposition to question their rhetoric will leave far more lasting effects than any physical attack every would. Remember, when people exceed their intellect they turn to fisticuffs. Do not be baited into that position. It is through thoughtful discourse, a dialectic that we will survive, even with our differences in a free society. (See my article on Dialectic.) Click Here

This week I had the opportunity, again, to engage protesters at a conservative event in a small town. In my primary career I dealt with many people engaged in both peaceful and violent protests. Sadly, most of those protesting has no understanding of the machinations behind the scenes in such organized operations. Situational awareness is the key to protecting yourself if you have decided to protest. Often times, the threat may stem not from the opposition but from one within your own ranks. Civil Discourse and Dialectic are preferred over protest. Protest indicates that dialogue has been abandoned for shouting and sometimes violence. If your true goal is to influence hearts and minds arm yourself with facts and press forward with civil dialogue.

]]> 1640 Language – The Glue That Binds a Society https://www.survivewithwill.com/2018/10/13/language-the-glue-that-binds-a-society/ Sun, 14 Oct 2018 03:39:45 +0000 http://www.survivewithwill.com/?p=1632 Read More]]>

Language – The Meanings of Words – Nomenclature

Summary:

If language is the glue that binds a nation’s people together, the meaning of those words is crucial to that bond. If the meaning of words is not fixed there is no hope for those utilizing them will successfully communicate with others.

It is important to verify your understanding of facts and terms before applying them with authority. Early in my radio hosting career, I endured a frustrating debate with a guest. At the end of the rather annoying debate, while on a commercial break, I asked the guest a question. The answer that he gave revealed that the guest did not know the meaning of the term which he took such an issue with. Ever since the expansion of people’s vocabularies has been a pet project of mine. I have tried to inspire people to verify the meaning of the terms that they believe they know, especially if they use them regularly with authority. My grandfather played a “game” with me every night before I left their house or before bed. He would have me randomly flip open the pages of his gigantic marble white leather-bound Funk & Wagnalls Dictionary. Then I would put my finger on a page. The word on which I placed my finger, randomly, would be our new word. We would put the new word to use as much as possible until our next meeting.

Detail:

My leather-bound, 1975 edition of, the New Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language provided the true definitions of the following words.

Nomenclature – “A system of names; the vocabulary of names or technical terms which are appropriated to a science, art, or other fields.”

Merriam-Webster Online – “a word or combination of words by which a person or thing is regularly known.”

While preparing for a radio show guest who I was interviewing next, I was performing my due diligence and fact-checking my points and lines of questioning. Part of the process was verifying proper nomenclature. It is far better to find an error in preparation than to embarrass yourself in front of a large audience. One of the terms was inflation. I searched it on Google. 96,300,000 results were found for the definition.

 

Investopedia said that inflation meant –

“Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising and, consequently, the purchasing power of currency is falling. Central banks attempt to limit inflation — and avoid deflation — in order to keep the economy running smoothly.”

Google said –

“What are the main causes of inflation?
Causes of Inflation

The Money Supply. Inflation is primarily caused by an increase in the money supply that outpaces economic growth. ...
The National Debt. ...
Demand-Pull Effect. ...
Cost-Push Effect. ...
Exchange Rates.”

Economicshelp.org said –

“Inflation is basically a rise in prices.

A more exact definition of inflation is a situation of a sustained increase in the general price level in an economy. Inflation means an increase in the cost of living as the price of goods and services rise.”

The list went on and on.

Dictionary.com said –

“1 ·  Economics. a persistent, substantial rise in the general level of prices related to an increase in the volume of money and resulting in the loss of value of a currency (opposed to deflation).”

Then I went to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary online (m-w.com). they said –

“2: a continuing rise in the general price level usually attributed to an increase in the volume of money and credit relative to available goods and services “

Then I took out my leather-bound edition of the New Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language

“an expansion of the volume of currency and bank credit, out of proportion to available goods and services, and resulting in a considerable and prolonged rise in prices, wages, and other costs.” Copyright 1975.

Rhetorically, do you think that the omission of the fact that inflation is caused by the action of a government printing more currency than it can back was an oversight? There cannot possibly be that many people in senior-level positions of the organizations positing the definition of inflation who don’t know that the government is its root cause. Therein lies the danger. If you were born after 1980 and taught in a public school in the USA you will not know that fact. I debated that fact with a bank manager at my bank. He asserted his MBA in finance telling me that inflation was a result of the financial imbalance of “many factors”. NO, NO, NO. It is the government printing currency that is backed by nothing, fiat currency, monopoly money!!! Words matter, understanding their meaning is crucial, not “I think” based on what you think it is by context.

The search for such a common term yielded a much more important lesson than its definition; you cannot depend upon electronic sources of information. Certainly, online sources cannot be trusted alone. Furthermore, even if you find hundreds of online sources that validate each other, that is no guarantee that they are correct. The amount of plagiarism, mimicry, and downright theft of content online is mindboggling.

Ray Bradbury had no idea when he wrote Fahrenheit 451 of the technological advances that were soon to come. The book is one of my favorites, everyone should read it. In an interview at Comic-Con he said that his inspiration was, “as a library person he was appalled by the images of Hitler burning books.”: That was the seed of the novel. Who would have known that the destruction of thought, stored knowledge, wisdom, and language would be affected by technology? The government does not have to burn the books because people throw them in the trash on their own volition. People don’t want books, they are cumbersome and expensive.

Conclusion:

When powerful publishers and electronic resources fail to preserve the meaning and context of the language WE MUST DO SO FOR OURSELVES. Unfortunately, there is a problem electronic documents are simple to erase, redact, and alter. Those alterations leave no trace of what was. In an instant change can be made without a trace of the preceding version. I have seen changes and deletions of entire videos, stories, words, etc. They were completely “disappeared.” I have told everyone that I know to buy several 1960’s hardcover dictionaries. Encyclopedias are good too. Ancient history does not change, but the way they present it does. Hard copies are indelible.

If you see a news article online and it is important, print a copy to the printer or better yet to pdf for safekeeping. The Las Vegas mass shooting incident was a powerful example. If you had saved the videos posted by witnesses on the street, moments after, you would have seen how they were all systematically removed over the next 24 hours. There are many free programs that allow you to print to pdf. Checkout Primo PDF or FoxIt Phantom PDF Printer, they are my favorites. When you go to print and article, you chose the program to print to PDF as the printer, name the file, and print. Voila you have hardcopy saved.

]]> 1632 Save Western Civilization & Culture https://www.survivewithwill.com/2018/06/30/save-western-civilization-culture/ Sat, 30 Jun 2018 06:16:15 +0000 http://www.survivewithwill.com/?p=1584 Read More]]>

 (This article updated from an original article on willhemingway.com radio show site December 1996)

Looking around the Western Nations we see the clear evidence of the following cycle:

Strong men create good times,
Good times create weak men,
Weak men create hard times,
Hard times create strong men.

Sadly, the West has been successful for several generations allowing its peoples to become weak and slothful. They are squandering the success of their forebearers. They are so divorced from the pain and suffering required to create such success that they perceive no value in it. Sadly, they, we, will forfeit the wonders of our cultures forcing our successors to suffer and fight to regain what we already have.

Across millennia no successful advanced culture has survived the cycle. I believe that we have a chance to break that trend. Over the past 100 years man in the free world has made massive advances. Those advances in communication and technology, to name a few, are unmatched in recorded history. The success of the West has forever altered the way and means by which we learn and compare empirical data. If we learn to apply critical thinking, learn to discern fact from fallacy, and apply creative problem-solving skills our societies and cultures can survive.

Occam’s Razor: The answer which embraces the least assumptions is likely the right answer; the simplest answer is generally correct.

I believe that adherence to a set of stoic values is the answer that will save the West. Philosophers, politicians, and sociologists offer complex theories and predict doom and decay based upon a series of self-fulfilling hypothesis. I say apply the principle of Occam’s Razor, Stoic Values. As a Stoic my entire adult life, I have found the power of stoic values frees us from the "drama" and stress wrought from parabolic, emotion driven perspectives. The values guide us to curb the natural human desire for self-gratification. If you are able to override the desire for immediate pleasure and self-interest you will be able to succeed at levels otherwise unattainable. Self-reliance is the gift of living a stoic life. Freedom from destructive hedonistic pursuits and the clarity of mind which comes with it open immeasurable opportunities for greatness.

Maxim #26 & 27 Emotions, Stoicism, and Analytical Thinking Feelings ARE NOT FACTS

A key factor of Stoicism is the bridling of emotion. Emotion causes a lack of clarity, lacks analytical thought, and typically ignores logic. Stoicism teaches its practitioners to safely limit emotion to fair and thoughtful levels.

The common modern definition of Stoicism is the presentation of its four core virtues; moderation, courage, wisdom, and justice. I believe that Stoic life is the realization of Occam’s Razor. Stoicism is simple, a life of moderation, free of emotional, illogical mood swings and tantrums, calm, respectful, humble, and thoughtfulness is the goal. If one strives for and succeeds at that goal they are able to live ethically and, where necessary, mete out justice fairly and evenly. The stoic calm frees the mind of wasted pursuits and conflicts allowing the gathering of data, knowledge, and wisdom efficiently. Humility and just behavior being virtues, stoics are a positive force in society.

Basic Human Behaviors: Will’s Maxim # 10

The natural human desire to satiate their id is their downfall. Epicurus is often accused of being the antithesis of Stoicism. Wikipedia presents the Epicurean approach is a form of hedonism. That is not correct. Epicurus believed that pleasure was the greatest good. According to Epicurus, one may attain a state of ataraxia, (tranquility, peace,) freedom of fear, and an absence of aponia (bodily pain) through living a modest life, awareness of sociology and human nature, and finally limiting your desires. In fact, that sounds awfully close to how Cicero; one of the iconic fathers of the Stoic movement, explained Stoicism.

Freud's Theory of the Id The id is the part of personality, that through the unconscious mind, focuses on fulfilling urges and desires

Hedonism is a key component of leftist population control. Trotsky, Hitler, Marx, Lenin, Stalin, and Mao all pushed drugs, sexual promiscuity, and other hedonistic behaviors on the young. Lenin said that if they softened the youth, with those things, they would be able to do whatever they wanted to the populace within a generation without a fight. They were right. I am not arguing for a Puritanical way of life, not at all. Simply put, we need to teach our young and remind the rest of the populace, that living stoically will yield far more success and happiness than hedonistic pursuits. This is battle for the long game, not short lived pleasures.

The way we win is not by waiting for the nanny state or government to do this. We must stand up and take charge. Lead by example, renew your commitment, teach your children, and present the idea to others every day. It will run like a virus. Most people want to feel empowered and happy. Give them the tools and understanding to attain those desires in a fulfilling and lasting way.

#SaveWesternCivilization

]]> 1584 The Power of Civil Dialectic and Conversation https://www.survivewithwill.com/2018/06/20/the-power-of-civil-dialectic-and-conversation/ Wed, 20 Jun 2018 18:46:47 +0000 http://www.survivewithwill.com/?p=1561 Read More]]>

Recently, I made a rare Facebook visit to see what I had "missed."  I read a post by a friend on her page. She was lamenting the way people behaved when she and others responded to "friend’s" postings regarding a perennially controversial, touchstone, social, and political issue. Many of the responders to her posting reflected the basic idea that they "just keep scrolling until you see a cat video" (paraphrasing). I was so troubled by the way that thoughtful people are cowed into silence, from civil dissent and conversation, (cowed – manipulated by fear of threats, violence, etc.; intimidated). Such silence threatens our Republic and culture.

Civil dialectic and verbal intercourse are highly stimulating. They excite the mind to learn, investigate, and grow as a person benefiting the whole of society. Free societies only exist through the basic rights of free speech, the right to own property, the right to self-protection, etc. The willful silencing of those who civilly dissent is a threat to all free societies.

During the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s colleges and even high schools taught debating. People would compete for school pride with other schools in debate events. All students were taught refined skills of civil debate. Those skills armed them with a practiced ability to interact with the world at large which regularly presents them with dissenting beliefs and opinions. Since then there has been a subtle retreat from free discussion and debate. Two entire generations have lost the skill of deep, civil, verbal discourse. The evidence of that deficit is obvious in nearly every corner of today’s Western society.

Civil dissent is not expressed through blocking traffic, breaking shop windows, burning vehicles, or threatening violence against the opposition. If people devolve into such behavior, their opposition, over time, will lose their patience and composure. They will eventually respond in kind. We need civil discourse to maintain a civil society, not sound bites, shallow rhetoric, or “gotcha moments.” The only way that controversial issues will be resolved is for both parties to honestly cooperate in a DIALECTIC thoughtful discourse. The outcome is not a winner and a loser, it is the correct resolution, supported by implacable facts.

Sadly, modern mass media and academia has inundated Western culture with an endless stream of images with the intent to normalize the behaviors of a subset of society. The favorite images of hypersensitive, safe space, teddy bear hugging people who fall into depression and childish violent tantrums when presented with dissenting views. They have no problem pushing their views on you. The prevailing narrative is clearly intended to normalize such weak and lazy behaviors. Freedom, civility, and its supporting order depend upon hard work, difficult choices, an engaged population, and a continual straightforward dialectic.

Such problems are solely an ailment of first world nations. In the rest of the world people are busy with important concerns; survival, food, shelter, water, safety, and security. Residents of first world countries can live in their parent’s basements at 35 years of age. The parents and a successful society enable them in the avoidance of labor and engagement in productive endeavors. Those same people believe they have the right to rail about inequities, “fairness,” and “rights”, all the while failing to contribute to the same. People who live self-reliantly have no time to waste on gel nails, bedazzled iPhone covers, and 20-inch spinner wheels. Only opulent, pampered people in nations where the bulk of society is engaged in the work of creation, generation, and the future is it possible for others to “opt-out.” Anywhere else they would struggle and produce or die.

The simple ability to spend so much valuable time on such trivial issues is strictly a result of living in a first world country.

Unfortunately, a predominant number of those "defining" the narrative are not attempting to establish a dialectic ("a way of discovering what is true by considering opposite theories" and empirical data), or even a civil debate. They have no interest in coming to a consensus of the minds. They thrust their ideology upon you refusing any dissent or disagreement. Those who are well versed in a subject relish the opportunity to “change hearts and minds” civilly. Even when misguided they relish the opportunity to sway opinion and positions. A firm grasp on the facts, empirical data, and language is required. Emotional outbursts and rhetoric are commonly deployed as distractions to obscure their true intentions. Most of the time their approach betrays their lack of depth on the topic. They often only know the talking points or their "feelings".

Civilized societies only survive through a complex dance of dialectic, cultural preservation, and law. Empirical data not statistics, facts not feelings, objective versus subjective. Those who fear a dialectic are either uninformed, shallow, or have more insidious intentions.

Conversation is healthy. Sadly, one of greatest threats to accuracy is for people to surround themselves with only those who agree with them. How will you ever detect a flaw in your stance? A change in the data? Only through trial by comparison to opposing views in a civil discourse.Discerning people who are trustworthy, loyal, and honest is a daunting challenge. These highly divisive topics have a silver lining. Those who are exploring the data around the topics and engaging in thoughtful dialectic can apply those results to help fashion well designed solutions. We also have a rare opportunity to cull those who are wolves waiting in the shadows of our hen house. They lay in wait for the moment where their self-interests exceed the value they place on yours. DO NOT SQUANDER THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURGE YOUR CLOSE CIRCLE OF THREATS FROM WITHIN. Part of that approach might be to begin by defining “friend” from acquaintance. Such identification is critical to your survival, happiness, and sanity.

Those who get angry, unfriend, name call, or worse show you their true colors and are likely warning you of other threats to you and your circle. All humans, especially those in close proximity, will eventually disagree. It is how we process and manage those disagreements that make us civil and defines those who are worthy to be in your world from the threats.

The lessons that we learn affect the way that we interact with others. Self-interest is critical for your survival, those for whom you care, and society. You cannot help others, if you are disabled yourself.

Unbridled altruism will disable you if you are not careful, please refer to the article entitled; Survival, Altruism, and Self Interest for more on the topic.

]]> 1561 Motivation, Manipulation, Coercion, and Enticement https://www.survivewithwill.com/2018/03/01/motivation-manipulation-coercion-and-enticement/ Fri, 02 Mar 2018 03:56:21 +0000 http://www.survivewithwill.com/?p=1404 Read More]]>

Lessons in life and business that may be learned from servers, waitresses, bartender/maids, exotic dancers, and hookers. Not necessarily in that order. 

*** This article is not intended to be inappropriate. Will’s Universal Maxims # 2 makes the important point that you can learn from anyone. In fact, some of the greatest lessons come from the least likely sources. ***

Lesson # 1

Secure payment upfront. Anyone who has ever made a verbal agreement with someone for payment to cover work or goods has learned that without either advanced payment or binding contract you WILL LOSE.

Hookers know to demand payment upfront. They provide a service to clients. The client, for countless reasons, resorts to buying their pleasures. Negotiating the transaction for the provision of sexual interaction is, as in all negotiations, a battle of supply and demand, value, and cost. Paying upfront, in an agreed and clearly negotiated manner strips the process of the typical social strong arming and manipulation typical to the social version of the 21st century. The purveyor of the pleasures, an expert, perfected by melding innate skills, experience, and result driven learning refines their efficiency and performance. They set or negotiate their prices, the services to be rendered, guaranteed results, and time limits. Coming to same result between two potential partners in a social setting has become very complicated, costly, and often frustrating. The threat that the client will refuse payment is high. While counter intuitive, the problem is quite common. The situation is like a buffet, they make you pay upon entry. They know that after you have eaten the food, if you refuse to pay, there is no way to recover what they ate. When someone wants something, it is "at the moment". The perceived value is tied to the urgency of the moment and want (desire). The better the result, the less likely the client will pay because the urgency will have subsided. The purveyor, understanding the temporal nature of "wants", demands payment in full upfront.

Lesson # 2

Make your client feel special, treat them with respect, and exceed their expectations. Exotic dancers, if they are successful make more money in a single weekend than many people earn in a month, often more than three months. They learn that a careful balance of "friendly", "special" attentiveness, feigning "interest", the air of availability, visual allure, and fulfilling the client’s needs, while providing the minimum necessary to provide the maximum results, all in a timely and friendly manner, are the key to success. Every business and service purveyor should learn from this. Your income, stability, and job security depend upon those that you serve not only being satisfied but desiring to return, again, and again. Never over provide. A client, restaurateur and chef always said, "a good chef provides an exceptional meal, but always, just enough to leave them a little hungry, wanting more." Make them feel like they are the most important one in the room, exceed their expectations, and they will come back for more. Leaders can do the same, feed those who are with you, keep them happy, fulfilled, learning, growing, and they will follow you to the ends of the earth.

Lessons # 3

Put your client first, build a relationship, pay attention to their needs, not yours, remember special details about them upon repeat business. Shed your ego, you will receive more praise for stroking other's egos than pushing your own. Servers (waiters / waitresses) often behave like exotic dancers. Servers are working in within much tighter time constraints than exotic dancers though. The best of them strike a careful balance of "friendly interest", feigning "special" attentiveness, personalized treatment, and visual allure. The ability to remember intimate details of likes, dislikes, quirks, and habits builds a lasting "relationship" with the client. Delivered with skill and a "believable performance" creates "regulars" and increases the server's tip income. The same is true in the interaction between leaders and their subordinates. I have included a pair of quotes from President and General Dwight D. Eisenhower below where he voices similar rules.

 

Conclusion:

*** Warning *** Take note of these manipulative behaviors and guard yourself from them. Avoid the destructive behaviors that such manipulation precipitates. The same applies to personal and business relationships too. Caveat emptor, do not be naïve gird yourself from these methods. During every war and even in peace time, government personnel have fallen prey to such manipulation compromising national security and the security of the unit. A recent example was the “Marine officers are drugged, robbed after Bogotá pub crawl and could face charges.”

Leaders, business people, and anyone who interacts with humans should pay attention to these truisms. There are powerful lessons to be learned from their behaviors, refined skills of social persuasion, and ability to be courteous to the most difficult, flip them, make them happy, and feel special. It costs only time, but the value is often incalculable. Note I am not promoting the idea that you manipulate and lead on others. But there are many lessons about how simply being courteous and friendly, caring, and attentive will make your life and those you deal with better. All for zero cost to you but a little time paying dividends of happiness to all involved.

Men frequent bars because they are lonely, horny, or just want the company of a woman who they like, and / or are attracted to, not always one in the same. Unfortunately, they are often roped in and fleeced by a female bar maid or waitress who, realizes what earns her good tips, and simplifies her job by developing “regulars.” Many a man’s heart along with his bank account has been broken by a waitress (server), bar maid, or exotic dancer. The lucky ones simply enjoy feeling special for a moment, satisfied to remember the feeling or experience it for the first time. Women do also, but to a much lower percentage because while some men are pigs and inappropriate, woman hold the keys to the kingdom even for the lowest in the pecking order.

Leaders would be well served to adopt the aforementioned rules. If you are a good leader, with a just cause, you may begin applying these rules as going through the motions. But, in short order you will absorb them and actually “mean” the behaviors. That invokes two of President and General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s rules for leaders and life (in his words):

Rule # 1 - A pat on the back is all you need

"Reflecting on his leadership style, Eisenhower remarked, “I adopted a policy of circulating through the whole force to the full limit imposed by my physical considerations. I did my best to meet everyone from the general to private with a smile, a pat on the back and definite interest in his problems.” Eisenhower boosted morale not with inspirational speeches, but with simple, honest, straightforward conversations. Instead of handing out trophies, he gave his soldiers encouraging pats on the back. It was a humble, direct way of reaching out, and it made him a favorite of the troops.

Leaders don’t need to light fireworks to reward hard work and dedication. Honest, meaningful conversation and the occasional pat on the back are sometimes enough to keep people motivated and energized."

Rule # 2 - Be cheerful

"Eisenhower made it his business to be a positive, cheery, and upbeat. He knew optimism, like pessimism, was contagious. By remaining positive and trying to “reflect the cheerful certainty of victory” he believed he could boost individual and company morale. Leaders shouldn’t glower, whine, complain, or pout. They must demonstrate that they are excited about the larger organizational mission and work to cultivate a sense of optimism. Dour behavior from on high has the potential to incite organizational malaise that can spread like wildfire. Be like Ike and make sure your mannerisms and speech reflect a positive attitude."

]]> 1404 Dunbar’s Number https://www.survivewithwill.com/2018/02/17/dunbars-number/ Sun, 18 Feb 2018 00:14:34 +0000 http://www.survivewithwill.com/?p=1265 Read More]]>

What is Dunbar's Number and why do we care?

Dunbar's Number is validated every time that we observe crime rates and corruption in large urban area. Cities cram many people into very dense units. Exponential increases in both the frequency and intensity of crime, violence, and more is evident in the cities, just as revealed in Dunbar's studies. Still urban planners continue to strive to pack more people into smaller areas. Dispite the mounting evidence of negative human consequences, the plans put forth by many urban planners, developers, and even the UN are based on the plan to jam 80% of the world’s population into 20% of the land. That plan is known as UN Agenda 2030 (previously known as Agenda 21).

Ignorance to Dunbar’s number and the other correlated theorems will not change the outcome. 200,000 years of historical data prove that Dunbar’s number is a good starting point. The 80/20 plan will yield only one possible outcome, the need for more policing, government regulation, oversight, and controls. The crime, violence, and antisocial behaviors associated with such high-density populations is intense. I am writing an article on my idea of "Mesh Network Societies", stay tuned.

Dunbar’s rule states that when societies/groups exceed 148 members bad things begin to emerge in the social interactions. Violence, sexual perversions, deceit, theft, and much more tear apart the sub-148-member group’s previously peaceful tranquility.

Dunbar’s Number plays an important part in the crafting of cohesive social unit. Understanding the significant causality and effect of Dunbar’s number is the very important. It is the postulated cognitive limit to a person's social circle, the number of people with whom a person can maintain stable social relationships.

Perspectives in Leadership and Group / Cohesion Survival

Despite the ubiquitous use of technology, Dunbar’s Number is bolstered by the Allen Curve which demonstrates a massive drop in communication between group members as the distance between them increases. Conversely, if they spend time in the presence of a person they are likely to keep in contact via other means when they are apart, short term.

There are many lessons to be learned for leaders. If you are not a leader, knowing the signs of good leadership and the earmarks of a solid cohesive unit will help you to choose wisely with whom you align yourself for the best survival results.

British anthropologist Robin Dunbar, first posited his research findings in 1992. He discovered a correlation between primate brain size and the mean average size of their social group. In his paper, "Co-Evolution of Neocortex Size Group Size and Language in Humans”, he hypothesized a predictive mean group size for humans (Dunbar’s Number) at 147.8.  Dunbar studied census evidence, spanning from the Pleistocene humans 200,000 + years ago through the present time. His theorem, known as the Dunbar Number, is based upon research studying primate groups, primitive human villages, cultures, and tribes.

The research focused on neocortex size and its relationship to a perceived cognitive limit related to the number of individuals with whom anyone person can maintain stable relationships. While language played a part in the social group and its cohesion, primatologists and sociologists observed some troubling results when the numbers rose over 138.  Testing with both non-human primates and humans Dunbar discovered Dunbar's number, a 95% confidence interval of between 100 and 230. Dunbar believed after all his research that the optimum / “sweet spot” predicted “mean” social group number for humans was 148.

Research focused on defining the building blocks of successful social unit cohesion; what makes a group/clan/society survive and succeed as a unit together. Anthropologists, linguists, engineers, technologists, primatologists, sociologists, and many others have tested, studied, and studied the phenomena and always prove out Dunbar’s number. There is a voluminous amount of peer reviewed research supporting Dunbar. We, as did countless researchers, see innumerable examples of this in play all around us.

Dunbar's number has been popularized in countless business and management books around the world.  Creative license has popularized Dunbar's number as 150.  The number is often referred to as the tipping point.

One of the most intriguing stories that Malcolm Gladwell related in his book; “The Tipping Point” was about the company who manufactures Gore-Tex. The company, in an effort to increase profit and efficiency, discovered through a process of elimination, that Dunbar’s Number was the key to their quest. They broke their workforce up into 150-person groups. Each building housed 150 employees, as they said, “Each time the 150 parking spots were filled, we built another building”. They were highly successful.

Surveys of village and tribe sizes validate that nearly all Neolithic farming villages, Hutterite settlements, and even professional armies in Roman antiquity limited themselves to 150 as the basic unit size. This was not a coincidence.

Check out the article entitled: Perspectives in Leadership and Group / Cohesion Survival the article outlines how the theories and rules below may act as building blocks in the formation of a powerful and successful cohesive unit / society:

"Co-Evolution of Neocortex Size Group Size and Language in Humans”

 

]]> 1265 Perspectives in Leadership and Group / Cohesion Survival https://www.survivewithwill.com/2018/01/05/perspectives-in-leadership-and-group-survival-cohesion/ Fri, 05 Jan 2018 06:48:28 +0000 http://www.survivewithwill.com/?p=1017 Read More]]>

Social Cohesion by the Numbers – Dunbar’s and the Allen Curve

Executive Summary:

The building blocks of a powerful and successful cohesive societal unit are a combination of the theorems below:

Even if you do not wish to lead,
you must understand the theorems
listed above if you wish to survive.

Dunbar’s rule states that when societies/groups exceed 148 members bad things begin to emerge in the social interactions. Violence, sexual perversions, deceit, theft, and much more tear apart the sub-148-member group’s previously peaceful tranquility.

Dunbar’s Number plays an important part in the crafting of cohesive social unit. Understanding the significance of the causality and effect of Dunbar’s number is the very important. The postulated cognitive limit to the number of people with whom a person can maintain stable social relationships is enlightening.

We see the validation of the Dunbar Number every time that we look at a large urban area. Cities cram many people into very dense units. Crime, violence, and more is evident just as in the studies. Yet in the plans put forth by many planners, including the UN, they plan to jam 80% of the world’s population into 20% of the land.

Ignorance to Dunbar’s number and the other correlated theorems will not change the outcome. 200,000 years of historical data prove that Dunbar’s number is a good starting point. The 80/20 plan will yield only one possible outcome, the need for more policing, government regulation, oversight, and controls. The crime, violence, and antisocial behaviors associated with such high-density populations is intense. I am writing an article on my idea of "Mesh Network Societies", stay tuned.

Despite the ubiquitous use of technology, Dunbar’s Number is bolstered by the Allen Curve which demonstrates a massive drop in communication between group members as the distance between them increases. Conversely, if they spend time in the presence of a person they are likely to keep in contact via other means when they are apart, short term.

There are many lessons to be learned for leaders. If you are not a leader, knowing the signs of good leadership and the earmarks of a solid cohesive unit will help you to choose wisely with whom you align yourself for the best survival results.

Surveys of village and tribe sizes validate that nearly all Neolithic farming villages, Hutterite settlements, and even professional armies in Roman antiquity limited themselves to 150 as the basic unit size. This was not a coincidence.

The Allen Curve, developed by an MIT Professor Thomas J. Allen, is a graphical demonstration of how the level, quality, and frequency of communication decreases exponentially between people as the distance between them increases.

The Allen Curve supports the Dunbar Number.

Allen’s book (co-written with G. Henn) entitled “The Organization and Architecture of Innovation: Managing the Flow of Technology” they revisited the Allen Curve years later in 2006 and found the following:

  • "For example, rather than finding that the probability of telephone communication increases with distance, as face-to-face probability decays, our data show a decay in the use of all communication media with distance (following a "near-field" rise)." [p. 58]
  • "We do not keep separate sets of people, some of whom we communicate with by one medium and some by another. The more often we see someone face-to-face, the more likely it is that we will also telephone that person or communicate by another medium." [p. 58]

For extra credit reading, check out Peace Among Primates, written by Robert M Sapolsky Ph.D. at Stanford University. Specifically focus on the section regarding natural born killers. (There is a well written article on the book, click here to read). In the article entitled “Why are people brutal?” I explain some of the other factors that are enhanced or out rightly provoked by exceeding the Dunbar Number.

There is no silver bullet when it comes to forming a cohesive unit or society. Humans are complex creatures with countless underlying propensities, strengths, and deficiencies. No single theorem stands alone. Together they may serve as arrows in your quiver. As a planning strategy, these time-tested and well vetted theorems can help us to understand and develop better and more cohesive teams. They are tools applicable in every form of human interaction from clubs and clans, to military units and societies.

As stated in the body of this article, the theories and rules below may act as building blocks in the formation of a powerful and successful cohesive unit / society:

]]> 1017 Survival Is Rarely Pretty or Peaceful – Ask Nicolo Machiavelli https://www.survivewithwill.com/2017/12/29/survival-and-politics-is-rarely-pretty-or-peaceful-ask-nicolo-machiavelli/ Fri, 29 Dec 2017 22:55:39 +0000 http://www.survivewithwill.com/?p=507 Read More]]>

Machiavelli realized that, when carefully studying history, the good guy almost always finishes last.

There is something to be said for the principle of fighting for your survival. Religious and political voices counsel us every day how to be submissive and, for the most part, docile. Most first-world societies have been brainwashed their people, push a relentless torrent mandating acts of altruism, self-loathing, and guilt. The overlords have “bred” Aggression out of us. Such social engineering has been used throughout man’s history under the guise of civility and peace. The goal, of course, is to assure the dominance of a government or group over others.

If you think that you understand strategic social interactions, politics, or survival, then you better know Machiavelli.

The first thing that every survival minded person must do is learn how to override that training. If you genuinely wish to survive any significant conflict or social upheaval, then you need to understand Machiavelli's principles. A Nicolo Machiavelli primer is provided below, along with his two seminal works.

 

Executive Summary:

Anyone who wishes to protect their nation, way of life, liberty, and freedom should acquaint themselves with the Machiavellian principles. I suggest that you begin with “The Prince.” (see the PDF below)

His principles (in the supporting materials below) will offend the sensibilities of some who are highly religious. I recommend that you force yourself past it. The perceptions and well-rooted historical basis upon which they were formed are easily validated by millennia.

Machiavelli served as a diplomat in Italy's Florentine Republic for fourteen years. Upon the return of the exiled Medic family and the fall of the Republic, Machiavelli studied Roman history. Licking his wounds at the collapse of the Republic, he wrote his most notable treatise, The Prince. In the Prince, he outlined the harsh realities of what it requires to maintain and assure the longevity of a monarchy or a government.

Machiavelli is known as the "Father of Modern Political Theory". The Prince illuminated the necessity of ruling by deceit, fear, and in some cases, force. Pope Clement VIII condemned the premise. Interestingly, the Catholic Church had been practicing nearly identical methods to protect, grow, and maintain their control over their nation-state colonies around the world, all done for the “greater good” (God’s will).

Machiavelli was well-read and quite worldly for his time. In 1521 he penned an interesting treatise "On the Art of War."  The Prince and Click here to download "On the Art of War."

 Supporting Materials:

Machiavelli:

  • May 3, 1469 - Jun 21, 1527, Florence, (Italy) Republic of Florence
  • Diplomat, Politician, Historian, Philosopher, Humanist, Writer
  • "Father of Modern Political Theory"

Machiavelli’s Principles:

  • Separate Politics/Government from Religion
    • Machiavelli challenged the core underlying everyone's religious convictions. He challenged the logic and historical evidence of spiritual and moral convictions at the heart of “man”.
  • There are no friends in politics
  • The “effectual truth”
    • .Allies in politics, whether at home or abroad, are not friends
  • Whoever imagines allies are friends ensures his ruin rather than his preservation
  • The virtues taught in our secular and religious schools are incompatible with the virtues one must practice safeguarding those same institutions.
  • The power of the lion and the cleverness of the fox: These are the qualities a leader must harness to preserve the republic.
  • Leaders must, at times inspire fear not only in their foes but even in their allies — and even in their own ministers.
  • The proper aim of a leader is to maintain his state
  • P.olitics is an environment where
    • Acting virtuously often leads to the ruin of a state.
    • Pursuing what appears to be vice results in security and well-being.
  • Leaders must understand that the ability to make difficult decisions carefully weighing the best of bad choices is what is required to achieve the most good.

“I pour myself out as fully as I can in meditation on the subject, discussing what a principality is, what kinds there are, how they can be acquired, how they can be kept, why they are lost:” Nicolo Machiavelli

Machiavelli set social precepts on their collective ears. He broke the standard of the time; separating Politics/Government from Religion. The response to Machiavelli’s words was condemnation and outrage. He never urged evil for evil’s sake. He realized that, when carefully studying history, the good guy almost always finishes last.

 The Prince and Click here to download "On the Art of War".

machiavelli_prince

 

 

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