Higgenbotham's Dark Age Hovel

[Higgenbotham]

The truth is that cities have never been an
optimal environment for human beings. For most of
history, the urban death rate has exceeded the urban
birth rate. Cities have only been viable because of a
continual influx from the countryside. They can
function successfully in many ways, but problems
of poverty, crime and chronic stress reveal a darker
side. People have always been attracted to the
stimulation of the city but they have never
wholeheartedly accepted it. For the subordinates –
who are in the majority – urban life is characterised
by quiet frustration, by lack of recognition, and by
awareness of many desirable things that they can
never have.

It is remarkable that humans spread to cover
the whole earth (save Antarctica) long before the
first city was ever founded. They followed the
retreating ice sheets into northern Europe, found
ways of living in the inhospitable polar regions,
and pushed out to the remotest islands of the
Pacific. They had reached the Shetland islands
1500 years before the building of Stonehenge.
This clearly indicates an intense centrifugal
pressure. One must conclude that people do not
naturally choose to live packed together. They
began to do so only when there was nowhere else
to go. They still retain a preference for their small
groups and for the leisurely lifestyle to which they
are best suited.

All this means that groups at high scale are
in a perennial state of tension. Their high scale is
achieved against the inclinations of their
constituent actors, though the form they take on is
the consequence of fundamental principles of
human relations. They are contained in this state by
high integration, organisation, and possibly
cohesion. However, when this containment fails,
for whatever reason, the group will fly apart.
Although ensembles of high scale are possible
and take on certain predictable forms, there is a
perpetual bias tending to disrupt them and tending
to move them towards lower scale, less complex
arrangements.

The Phoenix Principle and the Coming Dark Age by Marc Widdowson, 2001
p. 100

[Higgenbotham]

To many people, sub-Saharan Africa seems a
place of utter despair. Yet it is not intrinsically
backward. That is just a recent western
assumption. The view that Africa’s present
prostration is an inevitable consequence of poor
climates or insufficient resources does not stand up
to examination. Still less convincing is the idea that
black people are condemned to an inferior position
because of some intellectual deficiency. Even if the
researches that show racial variations in
intelligence are assumed to be valid and
meaningful, these refer only to marginal
differences in average scores. There are still many
highly intelligent black people. It is also not clear
that performance on intelligence tests has anything
to do with a people’s achievements. Otherwise,
why would white races now dominate the world,
rather than Asians who consistently do better on
these very same tests?

Africa’s problems are not intellectual or
geographical. They are historical and sociological.
Angola, for instance, has oil and is relatively
wealthy by African standards, but it has long been
deeply divided by civil war. That is what holds
back the country’s development. Angola has not
really been at peace since rebel activity encouraged
the Portuguese to withdraw in the 1970s. Since
then Cubans and South Africans have fought each
other on Angolan territory, favouring different
factions in pursuit of geopolitical or ideological
interests. The United States has also interfered, as
have Russia and China, often without clear or
consistent aims. In these circumstances, Angola
has never really stood a chance of achieving
stability. Similar stories can be told for most of its
neighbours.

The longer and deeper the dark age, the greater
the chances of resolving Africa’s horrendous
predicament. It could therefore be considered
fortunate that the continent is in the vanguard of the
world’s current movement towards chaos. Africa
may well have the time that it needs. Once its many
contradictions have been resolved, it will then
contain the promise of great things. Its people are
certainly no less competent than any other. When
the dawn arrives, the world may at last see what
Africans are capable of.

In fact, the Africans are likely to have made
the world their own during the dark age, for they
will have swarmed all over the rich lands as the
new barbarians. When the smoke of the dark age
lifts, they may well be found to be in control of key
parts of the planet. They will be the new aristocracy
in regions far from their (now forgotten)
homelands. The formerly ascendant Europeans will
cringe before these haughty paragons. A bold but
reasonable prediction is that the next era will be the
African era. That will be sweet revenge. The most
despised basket cases of the present day, the people
that the world writes off, will soon lord it over the
planet. It could be only a dark age away.

The Phoenix Principle and the Coming Dark Age by Marc Widdowson, 2001
pp. 330-331

[J P]

In fact, the Africans are likely to have made
the world their own during the dark age, for they
will have swarmed all over the rich lands as the
new barbarians. When the smoke of the dark age
lifts, they may well be found to be in control of key
parts of the planet. They will be the new aristocracy
in regions far from their (now forgotten)
homelands. The formerly ascendant Europeans will
cringe before these haughty paragons. A bold but
reasonable prediction is that the next era will be the
African era. That will be sweet revenge. The most
despised basket cases of the present day, the people
that the world writes off, will soon lord it over the
planet. It could be only a dark age away.

If Zimbabwe and South Africa are any indication of African potential, well...

Obviously the writer has never lived in sub-Saharan Africa or any other black country. I hate virtue signalling. I find many people find it necessary to say something positive after criticizing 'protected groups' as to not be labelled racist. They retreat, run away, and escape the city to avoid what is unfolding around them. They leave their impoverished brothers behind unconcerned and unbothered with their horrific fates.

And that is why we are in the situation we are today.

[Bob Butler]

https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/20 ... ems_00-05/

So what are the crisis issues of today? In Black Lives Matter there was police prejudice killing and spree killing of not just black minorities, protesting toward an end of prejudice and more equality. In abortion there was an attempt by religious fanatics to spread their religious doctrine to unbelievers, countered by a press for independence and freedom. In the insurrection there was opposition to rule of law. In Covid there was money valued over lives.

Admittedly, "crisis issues" and "top national problems" may not be exact matches. Not all issues may have been included in the poll.

But...

police prejudice killing
spree killing
prejudice
abortion
money valued over lives

I'm having a hard time finding any of this.

Gun violence, yes. But spree killing is a very, very small fraction of gun violence.

Racism is way down the list.

Affordability of health care, anyone?
Cost of living? As in inflation?

The Pew poll is interesting, but reflects the current issues rather than issues which have been important at various times during the crisis. For instance, there is no mention of Covid, police killing of minorities which was at the center during the BLM protests are missing and I don’t note the Insurrection. They also avoid taking policy positions, and so many crisis issues were/are partisan.

[Rhodesia]

In fact, the Africans are likely to have made
the world their own during the dark age, for they
will have swarmed all over the rich lands as the
new barbarians. When the smoke of the dark age
lifts, they may well be found to be in control of key
parts of the planet. They will be the new aristocracy
in regions far from their (now forgotten)
homelands. The formerly ascendant Europeans will
cringe before these haughty paragons. A bold but
reasonable prediction is that the next era will be the
African era. That will be sweet revenge. The most
despised basket cases of the present day, the people
that the world writes off, will soon lord it over the
planet. It could be only a dark age away.

If Zimbabwe and South Africa are any indication of African potential, well...

Obviously the writer has never lived in sub-Saharan Africa or any other black country. I hate virtue signalling. I find many people find it necessary to say something positive after criticizing 'protected groups' as to not be labelled racist. They retreat, run away, and escape the city to avoid what is unfolding around them. They leave their impoverished brothers behind unconcerned and unbothered with their horrific fates.

And that is why we are in the situation we are today.

Spot on, mate. Ask any member of my family, and they will tell you what it was like to live through the collapse of civilization in Rhodesia. Ask a Englishman what it is like to live in England today, the response will be the same.

I'm glad I had the opportunity to read your post before it was deleted, J P.

Thank you. Sincerely.

[Bob Butler]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Los_Angeles_riots

In the new dark age, I expect these kinds of scenarios to play out regularly. Also, look for white liberals to instigate similar dividing lines and leave the minorities to fend for themselves, as happened in this example.

The Rodney King riot coverage provided was accurate as far as it went, but the long term response seems missing. The riots were triggered by the local courts being biased to protect the police. The police themselves based on prejudice acted as judge, jury and executioner with regards to minorities. Then there was the very real Korea / black tension. In response, the feds stepped in with federal charges and convicted some of the cops that attacked King. Also, over the years the racial tensions and illegal policing faded.

I still see prejudicial vindictive policing and racial tensions as bad. I would speak for rule of law and loving your neighbor instead. I and other Democrats would set up sanctuary cities rather than try to institute prejudice. I think you are badly mischaracterizing Democratic policy. The Rodney King riots do say a lot about how to do things wrong. The elected government of LA has gone a large way towards fixing it.

[hnhmnff]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Los_Angeles_riots

In the new dark age, I expect these kinds of scenarios to play out regularly. Also, look for white liberals to instigate similar dividing lines and leave the minorities to fend for themselves, as happened in this example.

The Rodney King riot coverage provided was accurate as far as it went, but the long term response seems missing. The riots were triggered by the local courts being biased to protect the police. The police themselves based on prejudice acted as judge, jury and executioner with regards to minorities. Then there was the very real Korea / black tension. In response, the feds stepped in with federal charges and convicted some of the cops that attacked King. Also, over the years the racial tensions and illegal policing faded.

I still see prejudicial vindictive policing and racial tensions as bad. I would speak for rule of law and loving your neighbor instead. I and other Democrats would set up sanctuary cities rather than try to institute prejudice. I think you are badly mischaracterizing Democratic policy. The Rodney King riots do say a lot about how to do things wrong. The elected government of LA has gone a large way towards fixing it.

Yeah, LA is really great to place to live NOW...if you are an illegal immigrant from Calcutta or Tijuana, LA is Heaven on Earth...(puke)

[Higgenbotham]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Los_Angeles_riots

In the new dark age, I expect these kinds of scenarios to play out regularly. Also, look for white liberals to instigate similar dividing lines and leave the minorities to fend for themselves, as happened in this example.

The Rodney King riot coverage provided was accurate as far as it went, but the long term response seems missing. The riots were triggered by the local courts being biased to protect the police. The police themselves based on prejudice acted as judge, jury and executioner with regards to minorities. Then there was the very real Korea / black tension. In response, the feds stepped in with federal charges and convicted some of the cops that attacked King. Also, over the years the racial tensions and illegal policing faded.

I still see prejudicial vindictive policing and racial tensions as bad. I would speak for rule of law and loving your neighbor instead. I and other Democrats would set up sanctuary cities rather than try to institute prejudice. I think you are badly mischaracterizing Democratic policy. The Rodney King riots do say a lot about how to do things wrong. The elected government of LA has gone a large way towards fixing it.

As you say, after the riots, there was a long term response. The elected government of LA did go a long way toward fixing it.

It was well known that LA had a problem all the way back in 1982 when Daryl Gates was trying to explain why police were choking blacks to death. He said when the choke holds were released, "The throats of blacks don't open up like they do with normal people's." At that time, Tom Bradley and his liberal coalition had been firmly in charge of Los Angeles for 10 years and they still were 10 years later when the riots happened.

Another point I want to make was you keep talking about Trump and the "insurrection". When the jury made their verdict in the Rodney King incident, Tom Bradley made a public statement and that was what some attribute to triggering the riot. President George HW Bush invoked the insurrection act. The LA riot was not an insurrection. Neither was January 6.

As far as overtly imposing dividing lines, there is no proof of it, but there wouldn't be in most situations. Public servants know who they are supposed to serve and by the very nature of who gets into those positions they jump and bark on cue according to how people with money and power expect them to. That has a lot lot do with how policing or other government functions get done or don't get done as the case may be and why it is so corrupt at this time in history, as those are the expectations that are set. With covid it was essentially the same thing. Nobody with wealth and power had to leave their homes.

[Clarkmod]

If Zimbabwe and South Africa are any indication of African potential, well...

Obviously the writer has never lived in sub-Saharan Africa or any other black country. I hate virtue signalling. I find many people find it necessary to say something positive after criticizing 'protected groups' as to not be labelled racist. They retreat, run away, and escape the city to avoid what is unfolding around them. They leave their impoverished brothers behind unconcerned and unbothered with their horrific fates.

And that is why we are in the situation we are today.

Spot on, mate. Ask any member of my family, and they will tell you what it was like to live through the collapse of civilization in Rhodesia. Ask a Englishman what it is like to live in England today, the response will be the same.

I'm glad I had the opportunity to read your post before it was deleted, J P.

Thank you. Sincerely.

Please stick to using one handle.

[Higgenbotham]

UPI ARCHIVES MAY 12, 1982
Police Chief Daryl Gates says he is sorry if...

LOS ANGELES -- Police Chief Daryl Gates says he is sorry if anyone was offended by a remark he made about blacks and their chances of injury from choke holds, but failed to appease critics who want him fired.

Members of the Los Angeles Police Commission, at the direction of Mayor Tom Bradley, today planned to open an unprecedented disciplinary investigation into what Bradley called four years of 'disparaging' remarks about blacks, Latinos and Jews.

In an interview last weekend, Gates said he was investigating the possibility that controversial police choke holds caused more harm to blacks than 'normal people' because of physical differences.

'We may be finding that in some blacks when it is applied the veins and arteries do not open as fast as they do in normal people,' Gates told the Los Angeles Times.

Before a private meeting Tuesday with business leaders, Gates again refused to apologize for the comment and insisted it was not racist.

'You don't apologize for something where you don't believe you offended anyone. If anyone has been offended, I am sorry for that,' Gates said. 'I never said blacks were different from whites.'

Gates added that he had been contacted by several 'medical people' who said they are conducting research to determine if blacks are physically more susceptible to injuries from the choke hold.

But City Councilman David Cunningham, who compared Gates to Lester Maddox, the former governor of Georgia, and William Shockley, the two-time Nobel Prize winner who believes blacks are genetically inferior to whites, introduced a motion Tuesday to recommend the chief be fired.

Earlier in the day, John Mack, the local leader of the National Urban League labled Gates' remark 'racist' and called for a suspension, to give the chief 'time off to remove his foot from his mouth and the LAPD's choke hold from the necks of black people.'

Bradley, seeking to become the nation's first elected black governor, issued his order to the Police Commission after meeting with Gates Monday.

Mack said the Urban League will be represented at the commission hearing today to push for a ban on the chokehold and to prevent the study suggested by Gates.

A physician who appeared with Mack said there was no evidence to support the conclusion that blacks are more susceptible to choke hold injuries.

'I think the chief should stop playing doctor,' Mack said. 'We are deadly serious. That statement was racist any way you cut it.'

Critics of two types of choke holds used by Los Angeles police charged they have resulted in the deaths of 15 people, 12 of them black, since 1975.

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/05/12 ... 390024000/