So raw, I could literally feel your words jumping at me. And while I share your rage, I want to channel it more to our leaders and government, who contribute heavily to these unsavory environments.
My partner would usually say the people are the government and until we as collective decide it’s time to do something about this less than acceptable conditions for entrepreneurs, we’ve not began.
For decades, I’ve been working to challenge the bigotry of low expectations within my politically elite family and social circle in the US. But with the cultural shift underway, I believe change is finally happening. I encourage everyone to watch Poverty, Inc. and read your book because these perspectives are crucial. More than anything, I want to spread the message far and wide—that we can support people in Africa with dignity and respect without resorting to a victimhood narrative. Thank you for your words!
The environmental movement that gained momentum in the 1970s has left an indelible mark on contemporary discourse surrounding industrial progress. Many proponents of this movement view industrialization as a misstep, advocating for a return to simpler, more agrarian lifestyles. This perspective is often encapsulated in the phrase "going back to the land," which suggests that modern society should embrace a more natural, less industrialized way of life.
However, there is a striking hypocrisy within this narrative. Many environmentalists who espouse these views choose to reside in major urban centers like New York or Los Angeles, rather than adopting the rural, low-impact lifestyles they advocate for. This discrepancy highlights a significant gap between their stated preferences and their actual behavior, a phenomenon that economists refer to as the distinction between stated and revealed preferences.
The media plays a substantial role in shaping these narratives. As discussed in a previous note, media such as "The Lord of the Rings" often portray a nostalgic and idealized view of peasant life, contributing to the romanticization of rural living. This propaganda perpetuates a misleading perception of pre-industrial societies, obscuring the challenges and hardships that characterized agrarian life.
It seems like when I hear this it's "I feel good about my global awareness and ability to travel so I can be understanding, anthropological and worldly." Dare I say it's 'saving a shelter pet' mentality. It's demeaning and astonishing all at once. I hope next time you'll speak up. They need to hear what you have to say.
It is different only by degree here in the USA. There are people here who are sure that blacks cannot make their own way without white support and guidance. The term I use to describe such people is 'progressive'.
Edward Said's Orientalism in open display right there.
That it's been demonstrated that there is greater innovation in the informal sector, despite all the hazards involved, in Africa, rather than official channels, is a testament to the will of the people to seek a new life in spite of their Marxist and Mobster overlords.
Firstly, if you are angry then your anger is Ill directed and I believe you should know that. People's views, even though are steeped in internal biases still posses an external factor.
Those women are only talking based on things they've heard and seen, a reality that steadily confirms those views. But if it is, people should feel what they want to feel. What should be your only concern is how to change these conditions that give people these opinions of us.
I would like to say this in regards to African education in comparison to US education: for years I taught a chemistry class each term at a local community college, the third in a series required for pre-health care fields (so all adults, anywhere from 18-60 years!). Over the years, I saw a shift in the which foreign-born students I might have in my class on any given term, German (military spouse), Korean, SE Asian, Filipino, Eastern European, Russian, and African. And my observation was that the African students were the same academic succeeders as the other foreign students. And just as likely to school the American-born students on what it took to succeed and how my class was not difficult, you just had to study. (Even adult students apparently assume the instructor is deaf when not actually in lecture mode, and so one overhears these conversations!) Many of the African students were here temporarily, planning to head home once their educational goals were accomplished (and often that was as a husband-wife team both finishing educational goals) and use those skills.
I've see the abbreviation AWFUL used to describe such ladies (Affluent, White, Female, Urban, Liberal). It's quite useful as it often also describes other people's opinion of their worldview and actions.
That dreadful book 'Silent Spring' by Rachel Carson was a CIA plan and very successful to curtail the economic growth of Africa in leaps and bounds post WW2 with the liberal use of DDT. All that nonsense about all the birds being killed and no more dawn chorus couched in faux science terms made getting the use of DDT banned easy. But why a Worldwide ban? The irony is the Americans never stopped using DDT. No one could live in Florida but for continual twice weekly sprays from light aircraft. They just altered the chemical mix slightly and gave it another name. But this infamous ban threw Africans under the bus and stopped in it's tracks an economy reaching a point where it could challenge USA dollar supremacy.
So you've met two socialists... And discovered that their progressive views are completely racist 🤣🤣. Don't take them seriously. They don't even know what a woman is anymore... Let alone the potential of people who refuse to let themselves be victimized. 😉
It’s the ignorance of the intelligentsia. Thomas Sowell offers a very interesting take on the phenomenon: how modern intellectuals actively fuel racism, not out of malice, but because it makes them feel good. It's quite narcistic actually, because its all about them and their sense of virtue. They do not really care about you.
So raw, I could literally feel your words jumping at me. And while I share your rage, I want to channel it more to our leaders and government, who contribute heavily to these unsavory environments.
My partner would usually say the people are the government and until we as collective decide it’s time to do something about this less than acceptable conditions for entrepreneurs, we’ve not began.
We were disappointed by our leader's selfishness
Good governments ask for our permission and do not expect us to ask them for their permission.
For decades, I’ve been working to challenge the bigotry of low expectations within my politically elite family and social circle in the US. But with the cultural shift underway, I believe change is finally happening. I encourage everyone to watch Poverty, Inc. and read your book because these perspectives are crucial. More than anything, I want to spread the message far and wide—that we can support people in Africa with dignity and respect without resorting to a victimhood narrative. Thank you for your words!
"we can support people in Africa with dignity and respect without resorting to a victimhood narrative"
Thank YOU for your words and support
The environmental movement that gained momentum in the 1970s has left an indelible mark on contemporary discourse surrounding industrial progress. Many proponents of this movement view industrialization as a misstep, advocating for a return to simpler, more agrarian lifestyles. This perspective is often encapsulated in the phrase "going back to the land," which suggests that modern society should embrace a more natural, less industrialized way of life.
However, there is a striking hypocrisy within this narrative. Many environmentalists who espouse these views choose to reside in major urban centers like New York or Los Angeles, rather than adopting the rural, low-impact lifestyles they advocate for. This discrepancy highlights a significant gap between their stated preferences and their actual behavior, a phenomenon that economists refer to as the distinction between stated and revealed preferences.
The media plays a substantial role in shaping these narratives. As discussed in a previous note, media such as "The Lord of the Rings" often portray a nostalgic and idealized view of peasant life, contributing to the romanticization of rural living. This propaganda perpetuates a misleading perception of pre-industrial societies, obscuring the challenges and hardships that characterized agrarian life.
I have talked about these misconceptions in a Substack note here (https://substack.com/@mdnadimahmed888222/note/c-91559736)
I somehow can't see the note, any help?
It seems like when I hear this it's "I feel good about my global awareness and ability to travel so I can be understanding, anthropological and worldly." Dare I say it's 'saving a shelter pet' mentality. It's demeaning and astonishing all at once. I hope next time you'll speak up. They need to hear what you have to say.
It is different only by degree here in the USA. There are people here who are sure that blacks cannot make their own way without white support and guidance. The term I use to describe such people is 'progressive'.
The bigotry of low expectations is beyond toxic.
I understand and feel your fury. I’ve heard many versions of The African this or The African that prescriptions spoken with grave authority.
Count me in to be at your side when the revolution comes and Africa blossoms.
Edward Said's Orientalism in open display right there.
That it's been demonstrated that there is greater innovation in the informal sector, despite all the hazards involved, in Africa, rather than official channels, is a testament to the will of the people to seek a new life in spite of their Marxist and Mobster overlords.
Firstly, if you are angry then your anger is Ill directed and I believe you should know that. People's views, even though are steeped in internal biases still posses an external factor.
Those women are only talking based on things they've heard and seen, a reality that steadily confirms those views. But if it is, people should feel what they want to feel. What should be your only concern is how to change these conditions that give people these opinions of us.
I would like to say this in regards to African education in comparison to US education: for years I taught a chemistry class each term at a local community college, the third in a series required for pre-health care fields (so all adults, anywhere from 18-60 years!). Over the years, I saw a shift in the which foreign-born students I might have in my class on any given term, German (military spouse), Korean, SE Asian, Filipino, Eastern European, Russian, and African. And my observation was that the African students were the same academic succeeders as the other foreign students. And just as likely to school the American-born students on what it took to succeed and how my class was not difficult, you just had to study. (Even adult students apparently assume the instructor is deaf when not actually in lecture mode, and so one overhears these conversations!) Many of the African students were here temporarily, planning to head home once their educational goals were accomplished (and often that was as a husband-wife team both finishing educational goals) and use those skills.
I've see the abbreviation AWFUL used to describe such ladies (Affluent, White, Female, Urban, Liberal). It's quite useful as it often also describes other people's opinion of their worldview and actions.
I commend you on your forbearance!
I'll watch your ted talk and talking of ted talks, I wish you could have shown those ladies the classic washing machine one - https://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_the_magic_washing_machine
That dreadful book 'Silent Spring' by Rachel Carson was a CIA plan and very successful to curtail the economic growth of Africa in leaps and bounds post WW2 with the liberal use of DDT. All that nonsense about all the birds being killed and no more dawn chorus couched in faux science terms made getting the use of DDT banned easy. But why a Worldwide ban? The irony is the Americans never stopped using DDT. No one could live in Florida but for continual twice weekly sprays from light aircraft. They just altered the chemical mix slightly and gave it another name. But this infamous ban threw Africans under the bus and stopped in it's tracks an economy reaching a point where it could challenge USA dollar supremacy.
So you've met two socialists... And discovered that their progressive views are completely racist 🤣🤣. Don't take them seriously. They don't even know what a woman is anymore... Let alone the potential of people who refuse to let themselves be victimized. 😉
What I found most baffling was the smug wrapped in arrogant confidence
It’s the ignorance of the intelligentsia. Thomas Sowell offers a very interesting take on the phenomenon: how modern intellectuals actively fuel racism, not out of malice, but because it makes them feel good. It's quite narcistic actually, because its all about them and their sense of virtue. They do not really care about you.
smug pollution is a major problem in some circles