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Andrew
Andrew
8 years ago

I get the point you were trying to make, Jack; but that wasn’t the definition of General Military Authority at all. What you described was just how rank works. General military authority is the ability of a soldier of any rank to make corrections (tactfully) on a higher ranking soldier when said higher ranking soldier is not doing right. Say for instance if a private observed a sergeant with his hands in his pockets. It’s supposed to eliminate the “he outranks me, I couldn’t do nuffin” excuse for inaction.

Vertrees
Vertrees
8 years ago

Wow, a little value add production in the intro nice!

Evelyn
Evelyn
8 years ago

Cool intro.

Evelyn
Evelyn
8 years ago

I can remember enjoying an overcast sky, the cool break from the hot sun. But now it feels oppressive, much like your “dystopian view of scify authors”, like depression. It could be that it’s the shadow of the times, or it could be my overactive imagination. either way it’s eery!

Good reason to keep old dictionaries. Old words need to be preserved.

John Galt
John Galt
8 years ago

It’s too late. Prepare accordingly.

Strensk
Strensk
8 years ago
Reply to  John Galt

I think Maynard hit the nail on the head…

Azmantra
Azmantra
8 years ago

Just FYI, I noticed that 1984 is on amazon video….

Dan in Ohio
Dan in Ohio
8 years ago

Really good show, Jack. You hit the nail on the head with this one.

I’ve really enjoyed the show since you made the format changes a while ago. Also really like your taste in music.

You said you’d link to to a movie today (something Bands). I remember you mentioning it before. Another thought — along with Jack Hacks you might think about movie recommendations as a feature. Lots of good prepper/sci-fi/dystopian movies out there to discuss. Thought of that while watching Z for Zachariah on Prime a couple weeks ago.

Workerbeesc
Workerbeesc
8 years ago

I think the movie he mentioned was based on the short story Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut. I also came here looking for a link to the movie – didn’t realize there was one.

Greg Brelinsky
8 years ago

Jack- I really enjoyed this show as with (almost) all of the shows. If I may add a bit of glimmer to the dark nature of the show, I would like to recount my own life experience. Perhaps it resembles others out there. Being a couple years older than Jack, I remember starting out my adult life with a pair of rose tinted glasses on. I was never a Democrat and definitely leaned to the right, but I still had scales covering my eyes to the ways of the world.

As I matured, I saw the world as it really is and how I should be living in it. My views changed. I saw that not everything (or anything) the govt does is good. I questioned a lot of things. I sought out more freedom and independence of my actions, apart from the controls set out before me by “well meaning” folks who want to keep me safe. I think my path is not one tall grasses and thick forests, but a path cut through meadow, like a deer run. You can’t see them, but you can tell where they have been, like the people that traveled the path before me.

Others will follow and many will not, but I think throughout history many have not. There is a special something in some people that many of us that listen to TSP recognize in ourselves. A fire to be apart from suppression of the govt yoke- whatever that govt may be.

Have hope. Many have come before us that have walked our paths. There will be many after us that do as well. Teach your kids the way and don’t let the GCS do it for you. I am sure there will be trouble ahead for us, but I feel confident that those that follow will eventually find the path as well.

Chris H.
Chris H.
8 years ago

Our emerging-in-real-time dystopia is not being imposed from above, as in Orwell’s “1984”. It has largely been constructed by the people themselves. A novel that resonates perhaps a little more closely with this is “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley. If you’ve never read it, I suggest you do — it’s a short, easy read.

One of the better analyses I came across said that we have been more in “Brave New World” for the past several decades — but we are starting to transition to something more resembling “1984”.

“If you want a view of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever.” George Orwell

Caged Feral
Caged Feral
8 years ago

Great show. I’m just a few months older than Jack. I’m sure we’d been great friends back in the day. It feels like I’m listening to an old friend who grew up with me. We aren’t old, yet can’t believe the amount of change (both good & bad) we’ve seen in our lifetime. You’re doing good work here Jack.

surfivor
surfivor
8 years ago

I thought the prediction was that massive number of people where going to home school and escape the brainwashing done in public school ?

John "Caribe" Levering
John "Caribe" Levering
8 years ago

One of the best shows ever.

If only people would cast off the “golden chains” or “golden handcuffs” as you have properly argued with me that people refuse to do.