the assumption is that those who didn't need immiseration to become enlightened are special and different. unique little snowflakes seemingly unlike everyone else -- who are nondescript snowflakes, everyone the same pattern. it's those poor, poor snowflakes who aren't special and unique who need to be immiserated into enlightenment.
In fact immiseration may very well be a path to greater barbarism, rather than greater enlightenment. Certainly the evidence from some of the most 'immiserated' parts of the world strongly suggests this. I'm sure I don't need to give examples. However, let's just note in passing that this immiseration argument, which is rightly despised, is often deliberately conflated with another quite different argument concerning the sustainability of capitalist society. (The very prominent list member who does this most often for rhetorical effect knows who he is.) To point out that capitalism may be leading towards horrific catastrophe is not an argument for hastening on that catastrophe. In fact it is the opposite. By opening the imagination to the horrors that may be still to come, if not immediately, is not to wish for them but rather to forestall them by suggesting that a different way of living may be necessary for the survival and flourishing of the species and its habitat. Tahir -------------- next part -------------- All Email originating from UWC is covered by disclaimer http://www.uwc.ac.za/portal/public/portal_services/disclaimer.htm