market politics

Listening to the podcast from Noone’s Listening that features Noam Chomsky:

http://www.boingboing.net/2005/12/11/noam_chomsky_on_noon.html

I’m reminded of similar insights from Thomas Frank’s talk at UVa:

http://www.virginia.edu/flashaudio/centerforpolitics/frank_051019.mp3

Both thinkers articulate how and why the media and politics have gotten so far removed from public opinion. Both talk about consumer culture and how the public has been indoctrinated and has lost perspective.

It is particularly encouraging that Chomsky is optimistic that change is possible; though he is also realistic that it will be difficult given how atomized we are as a people.

Interesting that Chomsky sees our best time historically was mid-19th C. That is a time, also, that Franks extols when populism in the mid-West was strong and vital.

Idumea

One of my favorite hymns in the sacred harp tradition is "Idumea."

I particularly like the last verse:

Waked by the trumpet sound,
I from my grave shall rise;
And see the Judge with glory crowned,
And see the flaming skies!

For although in the tradition this obviously refers to the Christian view of the afterlife, the power and enthusiasm we usually muster when singing it calls us to wake now and live fully, to experience with all our senses all that life has to offer even as we are using our voices and ears to their utmost at that moment!