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Have you read George Orwell's review of Mein Kampf? I think it gets to the heart of why ISIS is so popular. "Also [Hitler] has grasped the falsity of the hedon
by littletimmy 11y ago
Have you read George Orwell's review of Mein Kampf? I think it gets to the heart of why ISIS is so popular.
"Also [Hitler] has grasped the falsity of the hedonistic attitude to life. Nearly all western thought since the last war, certainly all "progressive" thought, has assumed tacitly that human beings desire nothing beyond ease, security and avoidance of pain... Hitler, because in his joyless mind he feels it with exceptional strength, knows that human beings don't only want comfort, safety, short working hours, hygiene, birth-control and, in general, common sense, they also, at least intermittently, want struggle and self-sacrifice, not to mention drums, flags and loyalty-parades... Whereas Socialism, and even capitalism in a more grudging way, have said to people "I offer you a good time," Hitler has said to them "I offer you struggle, danger and death," and as a result a whole nation flings itself at his feet."
Replace Hitler with ISIS, and the point still stands. In fact, it is made even emotionally stronger now that it is religious. Is there an alternative? Can capitalist democracy provide any greater meaning in life?
- Spearchucker 11y agoThe missing context of Orwell's review is what Hitler had on offer isn't what he sold. Hitler sold the promise of a better life for a then-struggling, repressed Germany. There is irony in that.
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]
- ekianjo 11y ago> In fact, it is made even emotionally stronger now that it is religious. Is there an alternative? ISIS does not rely on free choice, it relies on brainwashing kids since from the get-go. That's really not the same.
- CrimsnBlade 11y agoHitler was one of the greatest public speakers of his time. He didn't advertise how horrible things would be to the people of Germany, he promised them that he was going to perfect their country with a master race. The way he presented things and the outlook he gave are why people followed him, not because he promised them destruction.