I freakin love that you wrote this. I heard this argument on our national radio station, a couple of hipster philosophers extolling the virtues of utilitarianism that they know all about and is the perfect thing to apply to this new pandemic we happened to find ourselves in. I wanted to puke but couldn't express quite why, except that they needed to be talking to the engineers.
It is thrilling to me to find common ground with so many people who were once political adversaries. If you believe in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and are willing fight for truth and liberty, you are my tribe, whether Left or Right (I started out on the Left, moved toward the Right 30 years ago.) COVID tyranny has been a clarifying moment.
lolz, Slate.com has now written two more articles crying and gnashing their teeth over the ending of The Last of Us. Utilitarianism is the hill that they have chosen to die on apparently.
What a brilliant analysis you made Toby, I totally agree with you.
I watched the Harvard video and the immediate impression I got was that he/they are looking for the right type of students to follow their deranged why of thinking in order to carry on their disgusting work/schemes/plans in the future.
Wow, brilliant angle you took there. It's true that we've been conditioned to think in terms of greater good and that achieving that end always means sacrificing some of the masses of non-elites.
The only sure way of reaching the "greatest good for the greatest number" is through individual liberties. That's when people will thrive and the best ideas and policies will naturally make their way to the top.
Well, for the record I haven't watched a minute of the Last of Us and am MORE likely to do so having read your spoiler review. No problemo mi amigo. I also despise the "Trolley Problem" and for the same reasons. What moron thinks that the best solution to a problem is trying to kill the least number of people? Get creative morons. As usual, however, your telling of the tale was a treat. Very well explored, Dr. Rogers. Having said all that, how is it even possible that the utilitarians in charge convinced themselves that their "solutions" killed the least number of people on the tracks? Their solutions (lockdowns, masks, mass vaccination, and suppression of effective re-purposed drugs and therapies) drove the trolley car straight ahead over the largest number of victims. My apologies for extending the trolley problem analogy even farther.
Mar 16, 2023·edited Mar 16, 2023Liked by Toby Rogers
I loved The Last of Us season ending. I would have lost all love and respect for Joel if he did anything else but what he did. As for the Oscars, I stopped watching years ago. I don't care to know what happens there unless they state the killings begin tomorrow. Then I'd like to be filled in.
Bs"d. A very good analysis about what happened over the last years and what is happening now. Although it seems to me that the "trolley challenge" has been practiced over a much longer time.
So, even before there were trolleys! Most of the rulers, as we have known thru history, were willing to sacrifice their fellow-humans "for the greater good". Could it be that people are start playing for G-d if they no longer believe in a real G-d? Or profess to believe in G-d, but bend the rules to accommodate their bias, desires or whims? Thank you, dear Toby, for your reflections. Inspiring!
What a synchronicity ! .( The advent of this series at this particular moment ..) 🤔 . Cherished institutions breaking down, partisan lunacy. .economic misery , populist rage, base indecency rules many peoples social media tendencies.. Aristocrat ( & bougiecrat educated lackeys ) genuine contempt for the great unwashed ..Only disguises with media rhetoric of "saving lives " It feels like this HBO series is throwing a bone. Vicarious panacea to quell the hord temporarily.. Until the next games. A colossus mind warp. Entertainment with some revelation of the method by proxy. Thanks for writing this review analysis ! Now I don't have to watch it . 😁
In junior high they had us playing this game:
https://youtu.be/6IujJLv-BEw
I especially like that you brought out what is usually missed--the contempt for the non-Brahmins. They are not seen, not understood--merely fodder.
EXCELLENT!! And hope-building! One film saying buzz off to the utilitarians. FIND A BETTER WAY!
Brilliant piece, thank you.
I freakin love that you wrote this. I heard this argument on our national radio station, a couple of hipster philosophers extolling the virtues of utilitarianism that they know all about and is the perfect thing to apply to this new pandemic we happened to find ourselves in. I wanted to puke but couldn't express quite why, except that they needed to be talking to the engineers.
Your analysis of this is brilliant, thanks for sharing.
Sacrificing others negates any possible 'greater good'. "Find another way." Amen.
It is thrilling to me to find common ground with so many people who were once political adversaries. If you believe in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and are willing fight for truth and liberty, you are my tribe, whether Left or Right (I started out on the Left, moved toward the Right 30 years ago.) COVID tyranny has been a clarifying moment.
Two of my major themes combined:
Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie Williams in The Last of Us, sings "Oceans" by Hillsong United. 🥲
https://youtu.be/4FI7XFZ73UM
lolz, Slate.com has now written two more articles crying and gnashing their teeth over the ending of The Last of Us. Utilitarianism is the hill that they have chosen to die on apparently.
What a brilliant analysis you made Toby, I totally agree with you.
I watched the Harvard video and the immediate impression I got was that he/they are looking for the right type of students to follow their deranged why of thinking in order to carry on their disgusting work/schemes/plans in the future.
Wow, brilliant angle you took there. It's true that we've been conditioned to think in terms of greater good and that achieving that end always means sacrificing some of the masses of non-elites.
The only sure way of reaching the "greatest good for the greatest number" is through individual liberties. That's when people will thrive and the best ideas and policies will naturally make their way to the top.
Well, for the record I haven't watched a minute of the Last of Us and am MORE likely to do so having read your spoiler review. No problemo mi amigo. I also despise the "Trolley Problem" and for the same reasons. What moron thinks that the best solution to a problem is trying to kill the least number of people? Get creative morons. As usual, however, your telling of the tale was a treat. Very well explored, Dr. Rogers. Having said all that, how is it even possible that the utilitarians in charge convinced themselves that their "solutions" killed the least number of people on the tracks? Their solutions (lockdowns, masks, mass vaccination, and suppression of effective re-purposed drugs and therapies) drove the trolley car straight ahead over the largest number of victims. My apologies for extending the trolley problem analogy even farther.
I loved The Last of Us season ending. I would have lost all love and respect for Joel if he did anything else but what he did. As for the Oscars, I stopped watching years ago. I don't care to know what happens there unless they state the killings begin tomorrow. Then I'd like to be filled in.
As to the trolley problem, cut off the power.
Bs"d. A very good analysis about what happened over the last years and what is happening now. Although it seems to me that the "trolley challenge" has been practiced over a much longer time.
So, even before there were trolleys! Most of the rulers, as we have known thru history, were willing to sacrifice their fellow-humans "for the greater good". Could it be that people are start playing for G-d if they no longer believe in a real G-d? Or profess to believe in G-d, but bend the rules to accommodate their bias, desires or whims? Thank you, dear Toby, for your reflections. Inspiring!
What a synchronicity ! .( The advent of this series at this particular moment ..) 🤔 . Cherished institutions breaking down, partisan lunacy. .economic misery , populist rage, base indecency rules many peoples social media tendencies.. Aristocrat ( & bougiecrat educated lackeys ) genuine contempt for the great unwashed ..Only disguises with media rhetoric of "saving lives " It feels like this HBO series is throwing a bone. Vicarious panacea to quell the hord temporarily.. Until the next games. A colossus mind warp. Entertainment with some revelation of the method by proxy. Thanks for writing this review analysis ! Now I don't have to watch it . 😁