JOH Marx & Engels

Greetings ~

Good reading this week, though I cannot say I was able to find much imaginative escape in any - especially Althusser, ISA, RSA, SPCA, YMCA, WWJD ...
The short bit from Marx & Engels proved somewhat interesting. During the excerpt, the authors state:

"For each new class which puts itself in the place of one ruling before it is compelled, merely in order to carry through its aim, to present its interest as the common interest of all the members of society, that is, expressed in ideal form: it has to give its ideas the form of universality, and present them as the only rational, universally valid ones." (C 40).

They go on to contrast that notion with the opposite, wherein the populous represents perspectives that are to the benefit of all others NOT of the ruling class (C 40). This type of balance appears to have been and continues to be the natural way that humans tend to govern themselves. Through marketing, most media ascribe to promoting same or similar content as everyone else. When there is a national crisis, we come together to be patriotic, good neighbors, etc.

Events like 9/11/01 and Katrina have the power to create deep identifications with American universality. It just so happens that these events, immediately Katrina and after a little time Iraq, have exaggerated the polarity that exists in this nation. The ruling class, through incompetence and/or sheer inaptitude as communicators, have managed to disarm the typically unifying energy borne of tragedy or trial. Interesting...

I wonder how the smallness of the planet is effecting the principles set forth in the Marx & Engels excerpt. Has technology and our ability for instant interaction on a global scale diluted our ability, as nonruling class, to create a unified message that forces the ruling class to make drastic adjustments? Rather than implying that the most serious issues facing American citizens can be resolved with ease, I am hoping to highlight a single aspect of the problem. It seems that the most prevalent characteristic complicating our ability to unify is dilution. As government, entertainment (distraction), and the need to survive continue to grow increasingly dynamic, our ability to unify and effect change could prove more and more impaired.