It is in the social sphere, in the realm of politics and economics, that the Will to Order becomes really dangerous. Here the theoretical reduction of unmanageable multiplicity to comprehensible unity becomes the practical reduction of human diversity to subhuman uniformity, of freedom to servitude. In politics the equivalent of a fully developed scientific theory or philosophical system is a totalitarian dictatorship. In economics, the equivalent of a beautifully composed work of art is the smoothly running factory in which the workers are perfectly adjusted to the machines. The Will to Order can make tyrants out of those who merely aspire to clear up a mess. The beauty of tidiness is used as a justification for despotism.
In Hitler’s words, the propagandist should adopt “a systematically one-sided attitude towards every problem that has to be dealt with.” He must never admit that he might be wrong or that people with a different point of view might be even partially right. Opponents should not be argued with; they should be attacked, shouted down, or, if they become too much of a nuisance, liquidated. The morally squeamish intellectual may be shocked by this kind of thing. But the masses are always convinced that “right is on the side of the active aggressor.”
– From Aldous Huxley’s, Brave New World Revisited, published 1958
I just finished watching Trump’s entire acceptance speech and I have all sorts of thoughts to share. Let’s start with the overall picture. First, the speech confirmed all the reasons I cannot support Trump, but also further solidified why I think it’s very possible that he will win and become President. The speech was disturbing on multiple levels, while at the same time brilliant from a manipulative and salesmanship standpoint. He held my attention for the entire 75 minutes. Can you imagine for a moment Hillary doing the same thing? Yes, it matters.
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