Time worships the "Beast" as described by Plato. Simone Weil wrote:
"The Great Beast is introduced in Book VI of The Republic. It represents the prejudices and passions of the masses. To please the Great Beast you call what it delights in Good, and what it dislikes Evil. In America this is called politics."
NTSB: As a bicyclist concerned with both an aging population and poor cell law enforcement have me concerned.
Listening to radio including to WNYC, eating, smoking, listening to radio, talking locally or via cell all have the same distractive effect.
Enforcement of a hands-free law would be more than sufficient. Note that a handheld phone on 'speaker' is a flagrant violation of the intent of these laws. Give the laws teeth[pts on a license] and enforce them.
Jon Stewart is my runner up. His demonstration to restore sanity was one of the most needed statements, a wake up call for our increasingly polarized society heade for disfunctional. His work on behalf of WTC workers as well as calling attention to other injustices in social/institutional life.
is this the person who made the most difference or the person who got the most media coverage? Kate Middleton aka Duchess of Cambridge, a runner-up, has considerably improved herself but exactly what has she achieved for others apart from even more economic stimulus to her personal beauty and clothing industry ( not even fashion). Time's standards have slipped even lower.
As it digitizes, Time Inc. is rapidly shifting its jobs from salaried positions to day rate long term contractors (thereby eliminating benefits, 401K/SS/etc. contributions and paid time off, among other things).
Is this Time's last gasp or just picking workers pockets?
It's interesting to see all the debate about who (or what) should be "Person of the Year". I have to agree with TIme's choice. I think the changes that occurred this year are pretty amazing in size scope and speed. Bouazizi certainly is the trigger that set the movement off but it grew beyond anything any of us could have imagined. Dictators were brought down and governments changed. And here on the homefront I watched OWS closely attending a couple of the events and visiting Zuccotti Park and was quite inspired by the enthusiasm and dedication of the protesters. And I think it has awakened us to the greedy materialism, corrupt business and government and the decadence that seem all too pervasive.
Well, when things are clearly not working it's very easy to rally around "everyone made happy"... Avoiding policy debate, though, the #Occupy movement policy becomes just that, with nearly all agreeing on a range of contradictory goals and theories.
One core problem is that social values are entirely self-affirming, so get by without being checked, and nature is not the least bit persuaded by our social debates at all.
Its a clear case of "where there's a will there is NO way", when what "Wall Street" is doing is exactly what society has asked it to do, to multiply the profits of idle savings to fund our bond issues, retirements, entitlements... wars,... etc. etc. on a finite planet where that results in exploding inequality.
Really, reality is the actual escape, not the problem here.
parents, cousins, grandparents and neighbors of arab anti-despot protesters should also be acknowledged for their courage.
traditionally, arab and african "leaders" kill all generations and sometimes neighbors and burn their houses as part of the torture or punishment for speaking out against abuse and propogandas. this time, these people did not hold their children back.
I don't have an alternate nomination for TIME's Person of the Year, but I'd really like to know how the decision to run a different cover story on the US edition of the magazine as compared to the international editions gets made (this month's 'Why Anxiety Is Good For You' vs 'Revolution Redux' is but one example).
Brian Brian Brian, please stop lumping the London hoods with protesters who have actual concerns and a desire for positive change. You did it the other day with Amanpour, it discredits the movements when you add vandals to the larger group.
Time really missed the boat, the Tunisian protestor Mohamed Bouazizi started it off as Brian says and deserves all the credit and HE STARTED THE ARAB SPRING BY HIMSELF. Thats the most important pointhe did not have millions already behind him he did this ALL ALONE and INSPIRED MILLIONS and BiLLIONS. SHame on Time for neglecting his courageous act
I never thought much about this "award". So what, that's Time's thing. It's nothing I ever waited around with bated breath at the end of the year. Here's what I think of Time's person of the year, mnyeh!
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Comments [35]
Time worships the "Beast" as described by Plato. Simone Weil wrote:
"The Great Beast is introduced in Book VI of The Republic. It represents the prejudices and passions of the masses. To please the Great Beast you call what it delights in Good, and what it dislikes Evil. In America this is called politics."
NTSB: As a bicyclist concerned with both an aging population and poor cell law enforcement have me concerned.
Listening to radio including to WNYC, eating, smoking, listening to radio, talking locally or via cell all have the same distractive effect.
Enforcement of a hands-free law would be more than sufficient. Note that a handheld phone on 'speaker' is a flagrant violation of the intent of these laws. Give the laws teeth[pts on a license] and enforce them.
... yet another indication that this journal is increasingly irrelevant.
...Kate Middleton???
Did he just say Kate Middleton???!!!
Person of the Year??!?!?!?
Really...
REALLY!?!??!?!?
WTF!
Jon Stewart is my runner up. His demonstration to restore sanity was one of the most needed statements, a wake up call for our increasingly polarized society heade for disfunctional. His work on behalf of WTC workers as well as calling attention to other injustices in social/institutional life.
Hey, It's not a Republican CONGRESS!
It's a Republican House and a Democratic Senate and Presidency! Is this a little bias that you can't hide?
I love when you get an uber-MSM guy on spouting nonsense...killed Bin Laden?
I totally support the protest movement as the choice -- by far -- a runner up could be Navy Seal Team Six
is this the person who made the most difference or the person who got the most media coverage?
Kate Middleton aka Duchess of Cambridge, a runner-up, has considerably improved herself but exactly what has she achieved for others apart from even more economic stimulus to her personal beauty and clothing industry ( not even fashion). Time's standards have slipped even lower.
As it digitizes, Time Inc. is rapidly shifting its jobs from salaried positions to day rate long term contractors (thereby eliminating benefits, 401K/SS/etc. contributions and paid time off, among other things).
Is this Time's last gasp or just picking workers pockets?
It's interesting to see all the debate about who (or what) should be "Person of the Year". I have to agree with TIme's choice. I think the changes that occurred this year are pretty amazing in size scope and speed. Bouazizi certainly is the trigger that set the movement off but it grew beyond anything any of us could have imagined. Dictators were brought down and governments changed. And here on the homefront I watched OWS closely attending a couple of the events and visiting Zuccotti Park and was quite inspired by the enthusiasm and dedication of the protesters. And I think it has awakened us to the greedy materialism, corrupt business and government and the decadence that seem all too pervasive.
Well, when things are clearly not working it's very easy to rally around "everyone made happy"... Avoiding policy debate, though, the #Occupy movement policy becomes just that, with nearly all agreeing on a range of contradictory goals and theories.
One core problem is that social values are entirely self-affirming, so get by without being checked, and nature is not the least bit persuaded by our social debates at all.
Its a clear case of "where there's a will there is NO way", when what "Wall Street" is doing is exactly what society has asked it to do, to multiply the profits of idle savings to fund our bond issues, retirements, entitlements... wars,... etc. etc. on a finite planet where that results in exploding inequality.
Really, reality is the actual escape, not the problem here.
Steve Jobs was a toy maker
Steve Jobs
Cancel my subscription. While I can support the Arab spring as whole to lump in Greece and the Occupy movements is absurd.
Brian,
Mohammed Bouazizi's martyrdom inspired an important movement; but his suicide was unfortunately also an act of violence.
Instead, honor peaceful resisters – who may be the only hope in leading our species from an ugly, unnecessary demise.
Jamie
parents, cousins, grandparents and neighbors of arab anti-despot protesters should also be acknowledged for their courage.
traditionally, arab and african "leaders" kill all generations and sometimes neighbors and burn their houses as part of the torture or punishment for speaking out against abuse and propogandas. this time, these people did not hold their children back.
Hillary Clinton is a great Secretary of State, and did loads to repair the damage done to US diplomacy.
Brian,
Mohammed Bouazizi's martyrdom inspired an important movement; but his suicide was unfortunately also an act of violence.
Instead, honor peaceful resisters – who may be the only hope in leading our species from an ugly, unnecessary demise.
Jamie
anyone gonna mention Julian Assange
If Time wants to do this, they should have two categories -- 1) Person of the year, and 2) Influence of the year.
I really hate the choice of a "collective" as Person...and sorry, the PC is not a person.
I don't have an alternate nomination for TIME's Person of the Year, but I'd really like to know how the decision to run a different cover story on the US edition of the magazine as compared to the international editions gets made (this month's 'Why Anxiety Is Good For You' vs 'Revolution Redux' is but one example).
http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2011/12/02/american-vs-international-news-time-and-newsweek/
Hilary Clinton
Andrew Cuomo - The NY governoir proved that governments can get things done even with politically divided legislature.
Brian Brian Brian, please stop lumping the London hoods with protesters who have actual concerns and a desire for positive change. You did it the other day with Amanpour, it discredits the movements when you add vandals to the larger group.
What the he...Kate Middleton? What?
Time really missed the boat, the Tunisian protestor Mohamed Bouazizi started it off as Brian says and deserves all the credit and HE STARTED THE ARAB SPRING BY HIMSELF. Thats the most important pointhe did not have millions already behind him he did this ALL ALONE and INSPIRED MILLIONS and BiLLIONS.
SHame on Time for neglecting his courageous act
I agree with you, Brian.
The protesters, to date have not changed anything, whereas Mr. Bouazizi did.
TIME has always been a bit wimpy. In 2001 they chose Rudy Giuliani over Osama Bin Laden. Don't expect a brave choice from them.
moammar gadhafi should have at least been a runner-up.
Steve Jobs would have been an obvious choice. Can you go anywhere today without seeing an iPhone or an iPad.
Ron Paul
Gabby Giffords.
Bouazzizi self-immolated just as much because he was disrespected by a woman as he did for other reasons.
I never thought much about this "award". So what, that's Time's thing. It's nothing I ever waited around with bated breath at the end of the year. Here's what I think of Time's person of the year, mnyeh!
I'm sorry, but TIME has been blowing it ever since they caved and failed to admit that Osama Bin Laden was the "Man of the Year" in 2001.
This is a magazine that has turned its back on its venerable tradition and become pablum.
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