Following is a list of major concepts and themes used throughout this site. They are organized in more of a thematic fashion rather than in alphabetic order.
Rise and Decline (Big Cycle)
The description, in broad strokes, of the major phases of development of a socioeconomic system. At the topmost level we can identify phases of growth and decline (The Big Cycle). As a simplistic summary, during the growth phase wealth increases because the economy is growing (without resorting to gimmicks) and along with this the overall standard of living increases. In a declining phase, debt levels rise to unsustainable levels and social tensions develop over dwindling opportunity and, at least in some groups, a stalling or even decline in the standard of living. The declining phase could include attempts to portray the illusion of growth and a healthy economy, along with massive debt accumulation, so-called money printing, and a major gap in wealth (and power) as we now see in the US.
A current take on this theme is captured by Ray Dalio, with his writings on The Big Cycle (a term found in his works) and analyses of past empires (Dutch and British) in terms of what led to their growth and then to their decline/downfall. He also is not shy in his view of the American empire.
Although the basic idea appears to be simplistic and even trivial, it is given prominent treatment here since the idea appears to be foreign to many Americans. In more elite MSM commentary it is roughly dismissed. But… the signs are there; briefly: large and accelerating deficit spending, overall increasing reliance on debt as well as resorting to a lot of money printing, widening wealth inequality, social fragmentation and a high level of political polarization that has led to paralysis.
Mirage
In a generalized sense a mirage is a depiction of a state of affairs that is at variance with reality. We think we see something that is in fact not there. It is basically the same thing as The Spectacle, but with emphasis on the variance. See The Cave. The Mirage embodies certain broad narratives, such as, and especially, Everything is Fine. In so doing it acts as a support to The System, legitimizing it. It also can be seen as an attempt to create a self-fulfilling prophecy – the Mirage projects a picture of our world as doing well which then influences the population to go about their lives as if this were so.
It includes various means to deflect from the true reality of the social situation. And that includes much of our entertainment – much of it vapid garbage that gains and holds our attention and acts as a massive distraction.
Related themes: propaganda, gaslighting.
The System
An intentionally bland and sterile term that stands for the total collection of processes and institutions that underlie our society. In so-called advanced capitalist societies it is mostly about production and consumption – the extraction of resources (planet, biosphere), their transformation into goods and services and how they are distributed, and the myriad of ways they are consumed.There is basically no room for real art or any sort of transcendent world view/endeavor (although there are plenty of commodified simulations of such). In the current time period it attempts to bind the population together in the absence of community which, ironically, has been decimated by The System itself.
The System has evolved over time, and as it has become increasingly computerized it has become more autonomous. AI promises to take this evolution to a new level.
The Spectacle
As in, Society of the Spectacle, the work by Guy Debord. One key idea is that our interactions and most of our experience are increasingly mediated. This mediation has been taken to ever more intrusive and even absurd levels by digital technologies that Debord could only speculate on.
New Economy Mirage
The promise of new (digital) technologies… that on scrutiny looks increasingly dubious/ problematic.
Look around in any public space: you’re largely surrounded by zombies, locked in a tight feedback loop of reward on their “smart” phones. Smart is in quotes because there is actually research that shows all sort of hits to cognitive functioning by these and related devices/technologies.
The Cave
Based on Plato’s well-known analogy… mentioned throughout in a sort of irony: we (The System) is essentially creating the situation as described by Plato (see The Matrix).
Encapsulated Life
A way of looking at everyday life in the American Empire. It seeks to capture the sense of enclosure and buffering… and as such overlaps with concepts such as The Cave. This theme constitutes one answer to Einstein’s question: Is the Universe Friendly. The System has created the infrastructure that allows for human life that is buffered from deleterious forces and events of Nature, as well as many unpleasant aspects of modern life. In this way Encapsulated Life is the dominant mode of life that is made possible by The System.
At a more fundamental level, it stands for a deep disconnection with the biosphere, and for that matter reality (a problematic term, but we’ll go with the definition by Philip K Dick – to do, bring in the reference). As such it is an alternative term for The Spectacle.
There are many aspects to it, which can be broadly characterized in terms of physical and psychic. The former can be seen in much of the modern world, with large portions of our lives encased in large houses and our cars. The latter involves the enveloping nature of electronic media. The “smart” phone can be viewed as a culmination in a process of disengagement with the world.
Empire
Used in two senses: the American Empire, and Empire without qualification – a higher level of abstraction…
In some quarters there is push back on characterizing America as an empire. One good resource that dispenses with such a reaction is A People’s History of the United States. In this book it can be seen members of the elite thought in terms of empire in the late 1800s.
The Matrix
Taking off from the movie… except we don’t need a physical interface (being “jacked in”). Instead, the large amount of time we stare into screens – of tvs, computers, and now phones – suffices. Also, there is no supercomputer behind the scenes that initiate our “enslavement,” but an oligarchy. They are in control of the computer systems that underlie our society, even as this control becomes less defined as these computer systems become more autonomous.
New Economy
Includes the narrative of progress… the promise of “great things” for humanity…
New Economy Mirage
Denotes how many aspects of the New Economy turn out to be problematic. See “Smart” Phone.
Bubble
Denotes a situation, usually in a financial and economic context, marked by extreme optimism. Akin to a “gold rush” mentality. It is marked by some level of delusion – as the optimism is based on beliefs such as capabilities of technological systems that are either extremely exaggerated or even outright delusional. There is a sort of “seed” or core underlying the bubble, such as a new technology like the internet or AI, that in itself isn’t problematic. Part of the optimism is that whatever it is at the core it will lead to tremendous wealth. Like what is seen in a gold rush.
Everything Bubble
Federal Reserve
The Oracle
Cheerleaders
Refers to a group of “experts” and MSM talking heads who “talk up” the economy, even in the face of countervailing indications. As such, they contribute to The Mirage.
Financialization (private credit)
Magic Money Machine
Hopium
Hypernormalization
A term coined by Russian historian Alexei Yurchak, to describe the state of affairs in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Even as it was obvious all systems and institutions were failing, most people, with no alternative, accepted the situation and proceeded with their lives as if what they experienced was normal.
This term has recently arisen in regards to the United States, as increasing portions of the populace are facing a system that is no longer working for them (allowing them to flourish).
One element is the following:
Ostrich Mode
A mode of coping that is becoming more prevalent. Among large swaths of the population is deliberate denial and ignorance. This is in synergy with MSM (Mainstream Media) narrative and reporting. As well with nifty digital tech that includes the so-called “smart” phone. No reference is needed: just step outside and note the majority of people around you staring into the small screens of their phones.
“Smart” Phone
The “smart” qualification appears to relate to all the nifty capabilities of these devices, way beyond being able to make and receive telephone calls.
Some current research appears to show hits to cognitive ability with especially prolonged usage. For one, the fragmentation of attention is problematic.
AI
Technologies that attempt to mimic – and surpass – the human mind. They are based on models of the human mind which, even with the current technology of neural networks, continue to fall short in this mimicking.
It can be seen as a kind of magic that is believed by many to lead humanity into a bright, prosperous world. Also, as an example of the kind of magic not a few “investors” believe will lead to incredible new wealth.
Techno-feudalism
A proposed definition of the emerging social order from various contemporary thinkers.