[lbo-talk] Slavoj Zizek: The Philanthropic Enemy

[B.]

Strangely (or maybe not so strangely), I think
Nietzsche has it right when it comes to analyzing the
apparent contradiction of philanthropic capitalism.
(No, I do NOT agree with everything Nietzsche said --
don't even start). This little gem of a quote is from
HL Mencken's book on Nietzsche; Mencken is summing up
Nietzsche's view on why the powerful can present as
kind masters:

"He helps the unfortunate, perhaps, but it is not out
of sympathy. The impulse, when it comes at all, rises
out of his super-abundance of power -- his thirst to
function."

-B.

--

Carl Remick wrote:

"No, Zizek's point is that billionaires are 100
percent toxic waste, whether they "note the
contradictions" of their business/philanthropic
activities or not."