Hello, I just composed a lengthy piece that could have been another article, but it is lost in a postback operation (it's hazardous to click submit if your internet connection might be down). That's a shame, because my piece chronicled the madness of globalized free trade. In 2001, I wrote an article called "Globalization: Now Identified as Boomernomics."

By the way, if you were born in 1972, that makes you an Xer. I am a 1966 model Xer.

But anyway, globalization includes somebody's attempt to reach for a "one-world economy." But trade talks broke down because too many smart people in too many other countries see through this malarkey. Globalization is where Uncle Sam, having gone senile, says to 200 other nations: "Go ahead, loot my economy."

But there are places like China where they are mercantilist. They have not lowered tariffs, and they don't import many Western goods. They are protecting their domestic economy, so they get to have it both ways!

For the U.S., it's like leaving the barn door open. The optimists among us must hope that Uncle Sam has a passing fever, and that is the outcome that we should work for -- to have it be seen that the globalization of free trade is a passing fever. (Looting sprees can only last so long -- after a spell of time, the neighborhood is looted bare, so the looting must stop!)

by John Kusumi (54 articles, 0 quicklinks, 32 diaries, 108 comments [8 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Aug 2, 2008 at 3:20:57 PM

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Hi Mr. Kusumi, Nice to get a comment from you again, I value your feedback. And thank you for opening an interesting can of worms at the same time. Generation X, here is a topic which certainly interests me. At the very least so I can exclude myself from that lost generation, even if my generation might prove to be even more useless in the end. One hates labels and categorisations. For example, I am not an anarchist, despite the title of my website. Anyway, I think we can all agree that Generation X starts with people born around 1960, it is the end date which causes problem. It seems that as time went by, anyone and any new generation could be dumped into the same bag. Perhaps because Generation X never achieved anything of importance which at some point in time ended by the arrival of something new (that is just an opinion, however, that opinion defines Generation X, if I remember correctly). I feel a generation cannot possibly span 20 to 30 years, 10 would be the very maximum. My sister was three years older than me, and I sure saw a huge difference between her generation and mine. Electronic games, video game consoles and personal computers all arrived within my generation. I was born with a computer on my lap, my sister's generation never touched a computer until much later. Let's go back to basics in order to find why I can say that I am not part of Generation X. It is fair to say that what brought the whole concept of Generation X in the mainstream, even though he did not invent it, was the publication of the book "Generation X – Tales for an accelerated culture" by Douglas Coupland in 1991. The book I have here printed in 1995 mentions on the back cover : "A succinct and ground-breaking portrait of that group born between 1961 and 1971 – Los Angeles Times". After reading that, there was no turning back for me, I was not part of Generation X, and that day I opened a bottle of Champagne (I really did)! If you check Wikipedia, you will see that there is much debate though about when it ends. Coupland himself initially stated born from 1958 to 1966 in Canada or from 1958 to 1964 in the United States (for China, dear me, perhaps you can tell us). A few years later in an interview in 1995 he re-adjusted this to all the twenty something living in the years 1987 to 1991, so the oldest Generation Xer was born in 1962. It is all very confusing. All I know is that I do not wish to be from the Generation X, and 1972 does not appear to be included in that generation anywhere that I can find. I can tell you that the people my age, my friends, none of us ever considered ourselves part of Generation X. As it is all a convention, I guess anyone is free to debate it. It is after all an interesting question. And certainly an important one, how many times have we heard the words baby boomers? Now, would someone care to explain how we define Generation X today? That too would be a fascinating debate. Regards, Roland Michel Tremblay http://www.crownedanarchist.com http://www.themarginal.com

by Roland Michel Tremblay (33 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 40 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Aug 2, 2008 at 4:37:10 PM

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In the cleanest and most fair reckoning, each generation gets 18 years. There is a standard definition of Baby Boomers: they were born 1946 - 1964. It was the "post war" baby boom, so logically with the end of WWII in 1945, more babies began to be born the next year.

For precision, we must suggest that the first Baby Boomer was born January 1, 1946. On his 18th birthday, Generation X began to be born, on January 1, 1964.

On January 1, 1982, Generation Y began to be born. You may wish to disagree with me about Generation X, but the generations before and after are fixed, so there's no excuse, really, for all of the bickering that attempts to shorten Generation X.

Let's think about Generation Y and you will see why this is fixed. Generation Y has an alternate name, the "Millenial" generation. The point of calling them Millenial is because they come of age (= turn 18) after 1999.

So, what is the 18th birthday of a Millenial born on January 1, 1982? --It's January 1, 2000. Ding ding ding!  :)  This is as it must be. Someone who turned 18 in the 1990s, as you did, cannot be a Millenial by the standard observed above.

It is clean and fair to allow each generation 18 years. And the definitions of Boomers and Millenials are stringent standards as above. So by process of elimination....face it....you're not a Boomer, and you're not a Millenial....

by John Kusumi (54 articles, 0 quicklinks, 32 diaries, 108 comments [8 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Aug 2, 2008 at 7:13:41 PM

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Hi Mr. Kusumi, Please, do not take this comment personally, it is by no mean addressed to you, though you offer me a great platform to express myself and speak for my generation. Jesus! The 60's! Think about it! What is it that anyone born in the 70's could have in common with anything that even slightly touches the 60's? Nothing. Nothing! There should not be one single child alive today, born after 1970, who should be part of any generation mostly based on the 60's. Come on! Wake up! Think of the 60's, Woodstock, Peace and Love, Sex, Drugs, being out of one's mind. Those people did not even know what the word electronic meant. And this electronic world, this matrix, this virtual world, only started after the 60's. Before that, dear me, none of us could have had any idea what the world could have been define has, because no one born after 1970 knows what acid and LSD are. I don't know what sort of universe one can create out of LSD, do you? A world that looks like what George W. Bush created, perhaps. I know what sort of universe I can create out of my computer though. You see? 1970 should be the cutting off year for Generation X people. After that, it is a whole new world out there, not a world made of drugs, but a world made of electrons and imagination. I am sorry, you will not convince me. I have only one God, and that God is my computer. Welcome to my Matrix, the world I created out of logic and my own delusions. No one born in the 70's can be a Generation Xer. That generation started before the 60's, and certainly died within the 60's, the past. I don't know who Timothy Leary is, nor do I feel the need to find out. He is dead, of a drug overdose, just like all your icons. It is not my fault if no one born in that decade has any brain left to achieve anything in this society (blame it on LSD), but my generation certainly will revolutionise everything (once George W. Bush is finally dead). Just watch my generation go, you will be surprised. We will re-create a new perfect virtual world to live in, out of nothing. You see? I have nothing in common with you. My delusions and hopes are of another order, they are at another scale. I am of another generation, and none of you can understand anything about that. You think I am mad, I think you are. Who is right? We are of different generations, forever condemned to never understand each other. I think that you will now agree, I am not part of Generation X. You see, I live somewhere else in this universe, anywhere else where my imagination can lead and create. Gosh, you are so disconnected with the new generation, aren't you? You better prepare yourself, because things are going to be different around here. We have a whole new way of defining the universe and the role this virtual humanity can play within it. My life has always been a virtual world, to be re-created at will, and I never took drugs. Explain that, and you will realise then, what this generation will be all about. We will revolutionise and change everything around here, by then you will most probably all be dead. Regards, Roland Michel Tremblay http://www.crownedanachist.com/destructivism.htm (This is all irony, in order to make a point. I hope you are intelligent enough to see that.)

by Roland Michel Tremblay (33 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 40 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Aug 2, 2008 at 8:52:45 PM

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You have researched too little and assumed too much. You told me not to take your rant personally, and I don't. But, I take offense on behalf of your targets. If you had checked reality before you posted, then you would know the following.

Someone my age, just six years older than you, is too young to remember the 1960s, the Vietnam War, or things prior to Watergate. Watergate came to a head in 1974, and I was seven years old.

Boomers can be divided further into the "hippies" (first decade of boomers), and "yuppies" (second decade of boomers). The hippies were the ones who were coming of age in the 60s, and may have been college age around the time of the moon landing (1969) (a time when I was three years old).

Then there came the yuppies, where YUP = Young Urban Professionals and they were also called young upwardly mobile professionals. They came of age in the 1970s, a dismal decade of disaster and disco. Their idols included John Travolta and the Bee Gees.

I was younger than their group, so they were "the older kids" when I was young. The difference between Boomers and me was that I could be a computer programmer all the way through high school. When they were in high school, the small machines did not exist. (Kit microcomputers appeared in 1975, and assembled microcomputers appeared in 1977. I got mine in 1978, as a 12-year-old.)

So, in your regrettable rant, you are waving your fist or your middle finger at the sixties generation, people 20 years older than I. Perhaps it is misplaced to try to say that "due to computers, I understand things that you cannot," because I became a software consultant in corporate America, with experience at such places as Citibank, General Electric, Allied Signal, NCR, up to the point of having a software deliverable on national television. I've also produced database software that drives touch screens in supermarkets. Perhaps you've tapped on those touch screens.

You don't need to lecture me about computers; you should probably shut up and learn from me. But it is true, and I realize, that most baby boomers could not migrate their registry keys if their life depended on it. It's true that corporate I.T. departments were taken over by Generation X during the 1990s, and so the Boomers really rely upon X (and now Y) for technical support.

Even while it's true that there is a "digital divide" between those who are older versus those who are younger than me....

....Even so, yours is a cruel and heartless rant which reveals you to be lacking in humanity, care for people, respect for your seniors, or any reverence for human history, traditions, and culture.

Of course, your bio lists you as a "science fiction consultant," so if I want to read more dark and anti-human prose, I'll look up your work. (I actually grew up watching Star Trek, and I prefer more hopeful science fiction. You're under informed about some matters on Earth, and your post reflects an approach of shoot first, aim later, and think or research only later than that.)

Clearly, you have lots of anger and unresolved issues with the world around you. Did a previous generation "fail us"? Yes. But, your post was like kicking a man when he's down. You could deal with your elders more compassionately. If you can reinvent your life at will, you really ought to.

At your advanced age, there are young people who could raise an eyebrow and look at you funny. I'm quite sure that you are a relic to Generation Y. At age 36, it is frankly out of place to be oozing adolescent immaturity.

It's like this: with software skills, I do feel like I inhabit a different plane than some other people. But, every day in every way, I would rather keep company with a Boomer, or a "digital have not," than with a soulless wannabe machine like you. You just met me, and you greeted me with an attempted stab in the back.

You seem bound and determined to overthrow 41 year olds. You'll be my age in five years! Meanwhile, it is Bill Clinton and George Bush who are actually 61 year olds and made the hippie generation look so bad.

by John Kusumi (54 articles, 0 quicklinks, 32 diaries, 108 comments [8 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Aug 2, 2008 at 10:22:32 PM

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You nailed it on Globalization and what it means.  According to Henry Kissinger (2006 Bilerberger conference), America considers anyone opposed to Globalization to be a terrorist.  Just so you know.

The history of the movement is quite interesting, it's roots going back 2600 years, and every 600-800 years undergoing a transition.  It is driven by some very famous and wealth families who have preserved their bloodlines over a couple of thousands of years.  Those deemed worthy of being able to provide the genetic boost needed for them to evolve, join the family. 

In 1492 the Illuminati or whatever these elite call themselves  sent Columbus off to discover the New World.

In the 18th century the American and French revolution were arranged.  It is interesting that the Bavarian Illuminati was formed on May 1, 1776.   It's founder, Adam Weishaupt stated it's mission was to establish a universal regime and secular world empire.  The US of course was set up to be a secular state freed of the constraints of religion, which had also been a creation of the Illuminati, but whose passing was predetermined once Globalization was completed and the true religion worshipping Lucifer and mans Philosopher Kings or the Elect would be created.  Religion of course would prove useful in the coming wars that would be needed to accomplish it.  Most of our founders were Masons which the Illuminati had begun to penetrate to spread it's influence (not saying all the founders were Illuminati)

Of course, Globalization was not really possible until the Industrial Revolution.  It is in the mid 19th century that concepts such as Communism, Fascism, Zi*nism, Evolution and the ideas of Malthus (Eugenics was the synthesis of Evolution and Malthusian thought) kind of took hold.  At the same time, the British Empire was finding the task of global domination using their Free Trade policies very costly and challenging.  Cecil Rhodes then latched upon a plan for the British to utilize it's former colony to build their Global Empire.  But first, they must recover America, and thus his will left behind the means and the plan to do so.  They recognized of course that this could not be done by force.  They had tried and failed to divide and rule us with the Civil War that they sponsored.  Russia and Lincoln thwarted their plans.  Lincoln and the Czar were dealt with, as we today deal with countries and leaders who do not go along with Globalization.

And then came the Fed in 1913 and we were recovered.  As one of the Rothschilds said, "give me control over a nations currency and I care not who make their laws" .  And thus, the British would be able to outsource their Empire building.  They had to sacrifice their own people and country, but only the little people would suffer. The top dawgs were Globalists.

 At this time, in the late 19th century, we had a gentleman named Albert Pike, he was the head of the Illuminati in the US, and leader of the Scottish Rite Masons-Souther Jurisdiction.   Some believe he created the KKK since they wanted to prevent the freed slaves from assimilating into society so as to divide and rule by race.  His statue still stands in DC.  Their goal he said was to become the rulers of the masters of the world.  The power behind the power, and rule the world and bring forth a New Age .

Albert Pike in 1871 wrote in a letter to Mazzini (global illuminati head) his vision for 3 world wars. Cardinal Caro y Rodriguez of Santiago, Chile, revealed the contents of Pike's letter in his book "The Mystery of Freemasonry Unveiled".  Some say it is a hoax, but he did so in 1925 with 2 wars to follow, so it's either true or he himself was a member of the conspiracy.  It is described as follows, decide for yourself.

"The First World War must be brought about in order to permit the Illuminati to overthrow the power of the Czars in Russia and of making that country a fortress of atheistic Communism. The divergences caused by the "agentur" (agents) of the Illuminati between the British and Germanic Empires will be used to foment this war. At the end of the war, Communism will be built and used in order to destroy the other governments and in order to weaken the religions."

"The Second World War must be fomented by taking advantage of the differences between the Fascists and the political Zionists. This war must be brought about so that Nazism is destroyed and that the political Zionism be strong enough to institute a sovereign state of Israel in Palestine. During the Second World War, International Communism must become strong enough in order to balance Christendom, which would be then restrained and held in check until the time when we would need it for the final social cataclysm."-

"The Third World War must be fomented by taking advantage of the differences caused by the "agentur" of the "Illuminati" between the political Zionists and the leaders of Islamic World. The war must be conducted in such a way that Islam (the Moslem Arabic World) and political Zionism (the State of Israel) mutually destroy each other. Meanwhile the other nations, once more divided on this issue will be constrained to fight to the point of complete physical, moral, spiritual and economical exhaustion…We shall unleash the Nihilists and the atheists, and we shall provoke a formidable social cataclysm which in all its horror will show clearly to the nations the effect of absolute atheism, origin of savagery and of the most bloody turmoil. Then everywhere, the citizens, obliged to defend themselves against the world minority of revolutionaries, will exterminate those destroyers of civilization, and the multitude, disillusioned with Christianity, whose deistic spirits will from that moment be without compass or direction, anxious for an ideal, but without knowing where to render its adoration, will receive the true light through the universal manifestation of the pure doctrine of Lucifer, brought finally out in the public view. This manifestation will result from the general reactionary movement which will follow the destruction of Christianity and atheism, both conquered and exterminated at the same time."

by pft (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 601 comments [7 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Aug 2, 2008 at 9:03:21 PM

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To PFT: Amazing about the Illuminati and the 3 world wars.

RE: Identity with Generation thus-and-so:  I was born in 1947 and cannot see anything in common with someone BORN in the early 1960s.  I was raised with duck-and-cover and my ID around my neck being what would be left under my school desk along with my pile of ashes after "the Bomb" was dropped in retaliation.  When I went to school, females could not wear pants and were expected to only have jobs to supplement their husband's income and remain a reflection of their husband, with no identify of their own to get a loan to buy a home or even drive a car.  There was a commonality of experience in the rawness of a world war and the remnants of extreme poverty and back to basics of the Great Depression to those who were already of an age of remembering before the 60s.  The 60s were a whole new bag with Viet Nam and the psychadelic drugs, women's lib, civil rights, mini-skirts, men able to wear pants without belts in the pants belt loops and shirt tails outside pants.  Those who actually experienced it were not born in the early 60s.  People born in the early 60s experienced baby bottles and diapers and more elements we identify with today like color TV and instant communication.   It always annoyed me to be lumped in with them.  They were the product of the boomers or of WWII parents having late-life children under a completely different social atmosphere than post war and not part of it.  People born in the early 60s experienced all the social turmoil as their formative years and the late 60s, after the age of bottles and diapers, as their age of awareness with color TV, Viet Nam as the war that blackened their sunshine each day and Viet Nam was not an all-must-sacrifice for the war effort type thing.  People born in the early 60s were at the end of the draft age and not even part of going to Viet Nam.  People who went to Viet Nam were born right after
WWII - the real boomers and fodder for the next war - Viet Nam.  When people grew a truck garden in the 60s it was not because food was not available like was experienced in the childhood of those born in 1946 and the next 10 years.  Those were times of plenty during the early 60s.  Children born then did not wear clothing made from flour sacks like post WWII children.  They were Carters-type factory-made clothes.  That 18 year thing is just something made up for some suspicious reason that should be dropped.  The experiences of those of an age of awareness, not birth, should define a generation.  You absolutely have a good point about not being part of Generation X.  But, it just seems like one more identity slam in a tidal wave of homogenization of identity and control by the powers that be. 

Loved your article. It summarized and put the whole thing into simple terms that anyone can understand.  When you really know your subject, it is easy to do that with something complex.

by ljs (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 55 comments) on Saturday, Aug 2, 2008 at 9:59:43 PM

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personally, i loved the dialog between  John Kusumi / Roland Michel Tremblay generations debate --it was informative, ridiculous, and just plain fun, and meaninghless, but also necessary too!!!! ...we are soooo ridiculous, ......but necessary!!! ---did i mention ridiculous & necessary? ...why isn't spell checker working?

by iamjmb (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 45 comments) on Saturday, Aug 2, 2008 at 11:25:45 PM

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ps, i was born in 1950, and you don't really get any more 'boomy' than that!!!!

by iamjmb (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 45 comments) on Sunday, Aug 3, 2008 at 12:06:42 AM

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Globalization is definitely bad for the ones who are not part of the inner circle in the short term. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. We are conditioned to be a consumer society in order to benefit our salve masters. If we all become more enslaved, pore and with little or no money, we can not continue to feed the masters. In other words the new world order in the long run is killing the goose with the golden egg.

by Sam Maurer (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 4 comments) on Saturday, Aug 2, 2008 at 11:43:52 PM

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We are seeing nothing more than Fascism spread throughout the world through these free trade agreements. Nations are losing their sovereignty through them, people are becoming poorer, and corporations are becoming more powerful.

We are beginning to see the results - rising prices in food, oil, etc.   

by Dennis Kaiser (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 35 diaries, 730 comments [137 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Aug 3, 2008 at 3:07:42 AM

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Mr. Tremblay, Mr. Kusumi, You have researched too little and assumed too much. ---Yes, it has always been my greatest weakness. I cannot see how it could be otherwise, I work full time as a civil servant, and yet, double full time as I still have to write those fictional novel in parallel. You told me not to take your rant personally, and I don't. ---Good. But, I take offense on behalf of your targets. ---The generation X? I don't think they even realise they exist. This is all and only an intellectual conundrum, with no impact whatsoever upon this world. If you had checked reality before you posted, then you would know the following. ---I read Wikipedia, it is my Bible. If it is not on there, I cannot be blamed for my ignorance. Someone should update it. Someone my age, just six years older than you, ---You are only six years older than me? Oh please, do not tell me such things. You have achieved so much, and I have achieved so little, it depresses me. is too young to remember the 1960s, the Vietnam War, or things prior to Watergate. Watergate came to a head in 1974, and I was seven years old. ---Correct, I know nothing of Vietnam or Watergate. Why should I? This belongs to a generation which is already dead, is that not so? No one from my age is expected to know anything about Vietnam or Watergate. Though I know that Vietnam is actually called Indochine. But that has something to do with something else. Indochine is a popular musical band in France. Vietnam was a French colony called Indochine, which might explain why America went berserk about conquering it. Please, tell me all about it, I am totally ignorant on the subject. Boomers can be divided further into the "hippies" (first decade of boomers), and "yuppies" (second decade of boomers). --Is that so? I thought yuppies came much later. Oh, you mean when they were born. I have met that strange animal in Los Angeles, when I lived there. Some sort of capitalist hippie, at the top of the hierarchy, but not quite reaching the top. What a nightmare. I had to leave Los Angeles because of those. We were incompatible, how in hell was I suppose to understand where they came from? They certainly made no effort to understand who I was. It was a nuclear war from the start. The hippies were the ones who were coming of age in the 60s, and may have been college age around the time of the moon landing (1969) (a time when I was three years old). ---I was not born yet. My sister was. The great news from 1969 was that my sister, whilst the Moon Landing was happening, she was eating her own sh*t. My parents never tired of telling that story, after 40 years. How could I possibly associate this remarkable Moon Landing, with anything else but a three year old eating her own sh*t? For me, it has never been anything else but that. Then there came the yuppies, where YUP = Young Urban Professionals and they were also called young upwardly mobile professionals. They came of age in the 1970s, a dismal decade of disaster and disco. Their idols included John Travolta and the Bee Gees. ---Good. John Travolta is Gay, we all know that now. He is the perfect role model for our society, in my opinion. I will never again miss one of his movies. And that movie about Scientology, that everybody loved to hate, I loved it. I can't remember now what was the title. I know it was filmed in Québec, so of course I have to love it. It was the greatest film ever, and I don't even need to be sarcastic about it, it was a great film. Even though I have no idea what scientology means. Just stay away from it. That's all I will say. ---Even for me, who is Gay, the Bee Gees were way to Gay for me. I don't care if they are all married with kids, too gay for me. ---Oh, I see that I will now have to express some sort of opinion about Yuppies. I think nothing of Yuppies. I would venture to say that they barely existed. Because at that time, and this is still true today, you were getting sacked for getting a cup of coffee. So this grand ideal of being a Yuppie could not possibly have truly existed, they must all have been sacked within hours of declaring themselves Yuppies. Welcome to my world, where you could not possibly keep a job for more than eight months. No one will convince me that they were so great compared to us, that they somehow convinced management that they were essential to the business. I was younger than their group, ---Shit! I did not realise they were so old! This is antiquity! Oh then, it is far easier for me to state they never existed at all. so they were "the older kids" when I was young. ---They bullied you? Don't be afraid to admit it. I was so bullied when I was young, I don't think anyone has ever been as bullied as I was. It might explain why I am now in a permanent state of shock about this world. Everything is wrong with this world! Don't you think so? The difference between Boomers and me was that I could be a computer programmer all the way through high school. When they were in high school, the small machines did not exist. (Kit microcomputers appeared in 1975, and assembled microcomputers appeared in 1977. I got mine in 1978, as a 12-year-old.) ---Well, to be philosophical about all this, I think it makes no difference, unfortunately. Everything we were doing then, was already everything they were doing before we came to be. Everything was already all established, and all about them. We might have maximised it all, expedite the results, it was still their capitalist system, with a well established corporate hierarchy. Even reading Agatha Christie, or watching the original Twilight Zone, tells us that much. Nothing has changed from even before the Baby Boomers came upon this world. They seem too, to have been powerless in changing what came before them. So, in your regrettable rant, you are waving your fist or your middle finger at the sixties generation, people 20 years older than I. ---So? Is this not my role to show them the finger, and change everything in the process? How should I care about what came before me? It is my role to say it was all crap, and think of ways to change it all to better humanity. I don't care which generation, the Roman Empire is long dead, the baby boomers are long dead, I could not care less. Would you not agree with this assessment? Or do you prefer to just continue what has been, 20 years before you were born? This world is about to be destroyed, I could not possibly trust any past philosophy about this world. I have to stop that actual generation, and think, all by myself, this new world which will save us all. This is no small task, considering where we are now, and considering that no one from within my generation seems to be thinking at all! Sometimes I think this world is doomed, and sometimes I think this world deserves it. Perhaps it is misplaced to try to say that "due to computers, I understand things that you cannot," because I became a software consultant in corporate America, with experience at such places as Citibank, General Electric, Allied Signal, NCR, up to the point of having a software deliverable on national television. I've also produced database software that drives touch screens in supermarkets. Perhaps you've tapped on those touch screens. ---Wow! All I ever did was to program adventure computer games. You misunderstood me. This was just to show that already, between me and my sister, my generation and hers, there was a significant difference. And perhaps it was justified that Generation X should died with the 60s. ---Now, you seem to have been an exception within your generation, and so, you could not possibly be used to represent it. Are you not too clever for your generation? I think so. You did, after all, ran for Presidency before you were even 20. So? You cannot count in representing your generation, who were mostly all asleep and would never have thought of doing anything of the kind. You don't need to lecture me about computers; you should probably shut up and learn from me. ---I am sure I could learn a lot from you. But could I learn a lot from your generation? That is the question. As for shutting up, I am sorry, I was born that way, it made me who I am. I simply cannot shut up. I wish I could. My life would be simpler. But it is true, and I realize, that most baby boomers could not migrate their registry keys if their life depended on it. It's true that corporate I.T. departments were taken over by Generation X during the 1990s, and so the Boomers really rely upon X (and now Y) for technical support. ---I am certain that X and Y are still only assistants. IT Directors, in any company I ever worked for, were so old, I thought they would have a heart attack any minute. I could add also that they were disgusting old men (this is my feminist side re-asserting itself). Even while it's true that there is a "digital divide" between those who are older versus those who are younger than me.... ---Yes? The advent of a new generation perhaps, my generation, from which you were way too much before your time. We call them avant-gardistes, which is precisely why you thought you were ready for presidency then. I have no doubt that you were ready, and I would have voted for you. Of course, no one believed you were ready. No one believes Obama is ready, he is not old enough, and my God, for me, he is my grandfather. ....Even so, yours is a cruel and heartless rant which reveals you to be lacking in humanity, care for people, respect for your seniors, or any reverence for human history, traditions, and culture. ---However I turn in my head what you are saying here, I do not feel this is true. I also do not believe you think this is true. Of course, your bio lists you as a "science fiction consultant," so if I want to read more dark and anti-human prose, I'll look up your work. ---I am sorry, it is true that I am truly pessimistic in nature. But I am trying very hard to move towards positivism. And you are lucky, most of my negative work was written in French. This new positivism was only born recently, when I started to write in English. So not all is lost with this world, there is still hope. Even for people like me. There comes a point where you simply have to bypass everything and create your own world in your own mind, a positive and great world, and I am getting there. You will see much more positivism coming out of me in years to come. (I actually grew up watching Star Trek, and I prefer more hopeful science fiction. ---I did not grow up watching Star Trek. It was not translated into French when I was young. But yes, I became obsessed with it around 1995, when I finally could understand it in English. I think Star Trek is unrealistic and highly hopeful science fiction. If you prefer more hopeful science fiction than Star Trek, please, tell me what science fiction that is. I know nothing of it. You're under informed about some matters on Earth, and your post reflects an approach of shoot first, aim later, and think or research only later than that.) ---I do not agree with the later part of your assessment. I agree with the beginning, I am under informed. However, it would not be possible for someone like me to be so informed about all matters on Earth. I have a double full time job. During the day I am a civil servant, at night I write novels. Learning anything about this world would prove to be impossible. I have observed that unless you are retired, or that you do not require a salary to survive, you have to make do with what you have, with the knowledge you have. If no one speaks when such atrocities are happening in this world, someone has to. So I speak, with the limited means I have. Never mind that English is for me a second language. I will speak. I hope I won't live to regret it. ---By the way, you are very keen on China. But we never hear any Chinese expressing their opinion about this world. Like we never hear what Iraq people think, or Iran for that matter. I would love to hear their opinions. This is all very much a one way debate, isn't it? If you speak Chinese, translate for us what they think and what they say, it could change this world! Clearly, you have lots of anger and unresolved issues with the world around you. ---Perhaps. I can't disagree with that. Did a previous generation "fail us"? Yes. But, your post was like kicking a man when he's down. ---Perhaps. But it was only in order to kick that generation into action. You could deal with your elders more compassionately. ---I think I have more respect for my elders than most. Of course, you can only judge me from that article. You should know better. If you could possibly read all 30 books I have written in my short life, in both French and English, you would know exactly who I am. I am certain then that you would not judge me so harshly. I am a very ethical and moral person, more than many others I know. If you can reinvent your life at will, you really ought to. ---I am desperately trying. Not just my life, but the whole world. I have achieved some great results, I have to admit. I can have an impact. I know that now. What it means, that is another kettle of fish. I have written a book about it. At your advanced age, ---35? Advanced age? I suppose this could be true. there are young people who could raise an eyebrow and look at you funny. ---Well, do they speak? Do we see them anywhere? At 35 people are telling me I am young, as if no one under 35 was actually alive. I would love to see that generation get up and speak, I am trying very hard to make it happen. I don't care if they look at me funny, as long as they wake up and think and do something. I'm quite sure that you are a relic to Generation Y. At age 36, it is frankly out of place to be oozing adolescent immaturity. ---You are right, from what I let you observe of me so far. You ought to know though that I am more clever than that. It is a game I am playing, a dangerous one, I know. It is all about irony. It cannot fail but turn against me at some point. I still feel it is worth it, if it can help this world. I am not worried about that. I am aware of who I am and what I represent. I am aware also of the game I play and my position in this world. There is more here than what meets the eye, and more at stake than anyone knows. So don't worry. I have nothing to lose, and so I play many roles. As long as something happens, that people react, that I have some sort of impact, and that people get to understand, nothing else matters. If I go down as a consequence, it does not matter to me. I will do whatever I need to do to reach out and convince people to achieve something and change this world for the better. I do not value this life that much anyway as it is. I am willing to sacrifice myself if it can help this world in any way. You could not see this now, someone else will see that later. This is quite profound. I am more aware than you think, about what I do. It's like this: with software skills, I do feel like I inhabit a different plane than some other people. But, every day in every way, I would rather keep company with a Boomer, or a "digital have not," than with a soulless wannabe machine like you. You just met me, and you greeted me with an attempted stab in the back. ---I don't agree with this. I'm sorry if you felt that. I actually like you a lot. I think we would be very good friends if we could meet. In fact, I'm sure we would be good friends. You seem bound and determined to overthrow 41 year olds. ---Again, I do not agree with that. Perhaps my article or comment gave that impression. You'll be my age in five years! ---I feel 100 years old already, perhaps 1000. I wonder if I will not be dead before reaching 40. I'm surprised I reached 30, to be honest, I never thought I would reach it. Meanwhile, it is Bill Clinton and George Bush who are actually 61 year olds and made the hippie generation look so bad. ---I don't know much about hippies, it is not part of my generation. by John Kusumi (32 articles, 0 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 60 comments) on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 10:22:32 PM ---Hey! Mr Kusumi, cheer up! Nothing is what is seems! I am your friend. And I will vote for you if ever I get the chance. Can't you see the irony in everything I write? Regards, Roland Michel Tremblay http://www.crownedanarchist.com

by Roland Michel Tremblay (33 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 40 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Aug 3, 2008 at 1:26:57 AM

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...that, due to the end of cheap oil/cheap transportation, globalization might be a thing of the past--well, almost.

Check out this article in today's NYTimes:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/business/worldbusiness/03global.html

by francine (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 385 comments) on Sunday, Aug 3, 2008 at 6:14:04 AM

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For the past several years Americas leaders have proclaimed "education is they key and you must learn how to compete in a global economy" graduates with degrees in software design and information technology saw their futures moved to India.

How can Americans compete the global economy? The honest answer is to look at the Chinese. Americans need to prepare themselves Physically and mentally to be able to endure 80 hour work weeks with very little pay. The global economy has no use for those who question authority or ask for human rights. America itself may find that in order to survive in the new global economy it will have to be more oppressive to its population, just like China. Maybe a new state called Capitalist communal ism will emerge and take the place of Communism. This would combine the wealth gathered from free markets and the oppression of Stalin based communism.

by Gary Denson (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 283 comments) on Sunday, Aug 3, 2008 at 9:03:28 AM

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Everything is satisfactaul. If Steve Miller cans sing that in the mid 80's after the New Way he found in Space Cowboy, you can rest assured its true. Maybe things are ok because John Lennon was one of the Olive Branches of Revelation 11 who gets killed by the establishment.-it was how these latter days were shortened.-thats all I can say on that.

I was born in 57 with a middle name of Cheverie, so I am a classic. lol I don't consider myself a boomer though for my 60's were in the 70's. So I never lost the dream.

All that is going on today is building a foundation that will hold up forever. That foundation is purging, purifying and refining all as the Prophet Daniel says at least twice it will. Even the stone throwing of the MEIDIA-RIGHT-STORM (which I hate) is having that effect.

The good news is that Rock and Roll has the same effect in a more fun way. And they are the Peals of Thunder kept secret in Revelation 10 for these days. You can notice that the 7th trumpet is in both Rev. 10 & 11. So chances are they were started by Lennon.

The Worker Ownership of the Mondragon Cooperative of the Basque in Northern Spain is in our future. The Unions could set it up in a heartbeat. You can check it out in one of my article quick links.

by Michael Dewey (5 articles, 1 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 245 comments [12 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Aug 3, 2008 at 1:34:02 PM

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hi roland. you might find this relevant to your obama comments: http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200806/1212860127.html

 also, have a look at www.borisc.blogspot.com - The Anti-Sopitalist, where sopitalism is socialism for capitalists. the guy's a financial markets genius, and a critic of the rulers of the universe you are writing about.

regards

malcolm

by Malcolm McIntyre (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments) on Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 at 3:33:13 PM

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