Scarcity

James Heartfield Jim at heartfield.demon.co.uk
Tue Apr 10 13:18:40 PDT 2001


In message <p0501040eb6f8d6163a49@[216.254.77.128]>, Doug Henwood <dhenwood at panix.com> writes


>Yes, scientists are notable for their phantasmic projections, while
>those who claim there's nothing to worry about are firmly in touch
>with the reality principle.

Assuming this to be ironic, wouldn't you agree that the consensus amongst scientists in the period 1900-1940 that humanity was divided into biological races, hierarchically organised, was a phantasmic projection of ruling class prejudice. Look at the times again. Those scientists sincerely held those views. That was a case of prejudice substituting for science.


>Most environmentalists identify the U.S. as the leading culprit in
>CO2 emissions, which it is.

That's just the rhetoric, and pretty insincere rhetoric at that. Do you imagine for one moment that the European powers that are lobbying for Kyoto intend to voluntarily close down their industry so that India can develop its? Any fool could understand that once the right to develop industry is subjected to a political rationing process rationed, that rationing procedure will be subsumed within the capitalist distribution of means of production.

It is cheap sentimentalism to beat your breast over how much the US consumes if you are not prepared to advance a practical programme that calls for a wholescale reduction in US living standards.

-- James Heartfield



More information about the lbo-talk mailing list